This week is the last week of exams for the semester. I was on campus the other day and decided to ride through the dorm areas where all the parents were picking up the kids for the summer. I was dismayed by the amount and quality of stuff that was being stuffed in the fifteen or so dumpsters around campus. There was everything from vacuum cleaners, lamps, storage bins, clothes and rugs to garbage cans, memory foam mattress pads, tables, chairs and mirrors. I was only able to take a few small things that fit in my bag, but was pleased to find a larger, nicer backpack in another dumpster. It never really occurred to me how much stuff really gets thrown out at the end of each semester by the people living in the dorms. It sucks that their parents have worked so hard for so many years to be able to buy things like that for when they send the kids off to college, only to get tossed in the dumpster at the end of the semester... Which has given me a new idea. I want to start something on a small level that can benefit as many people as possible with the minimal amount of time and money going in to it; I want to start some kind of club or group at school that organizes the collection of useful items that get tossed at the end of the year. Everything that is collected would be redistributed to whoever needs it the next term either for a low cost or donation or something. I just need to figure out who I need to start talking to and what I can do to get the ball rolling for next year. In the mean time, Im going to go back to get as much stuff as I can while its still available.. Here are a couple things I found the other day:
2 rolls of paper towels (couldnt fit any more..)
a big pair of scissors
most of a bottle of dish detergent
an albuterol inhaler (for sis, who is asthmatic and uninsured)
most of a box of tall garbage bags
monopoly game pieces (couldnt fit the whole game)
a sweet backpack containing:
a pair of sunglasses
a 3gig flash drive
several pens, pencils and hi-lighters
I also found loads of stuff that I wanted to come back for with my car, but I didnt get around to it; Im going tomorrow with a friend to load up her car with furniture and stuff.
These are the stories,adventures, blurbs and recipes that explain how a simple experiment in living frugally turned in to living a new "freegan" lifestyle. I can never un-learn or forget the truths about our society that I've seen and am now dedicated to helping others who wish to learn them.
That's how the end of my semester was too. It's ridiculous. It's one of those things were what's happening is so big that it makes you feel like a drop in the ocean, like everything is hopeless. But that is a good idea--the redistribution group thing. We had a "recycle day" where people could bring clothes and furniture they didn't want anymore and trade, and whatever no one took got donated to a local care center. I appreciated that, but even so there was still a LOT of stuff getting dumped. It's just so sad.
ReplyDeleteNote: I know you don't know me, but on the inhaler, be careful that the dosage and everything is the same as your sis is supposed to have (per her Doctor). I'm a nurse, so I'm a little cautious about these things. Otherwise, very cool. I've been resisting the urge to go to the colleges. I have too much stuff already!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice!
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