I have a pet peeve about garbage pickers at curbside. Our garbage is always picked over before pickup. Why?

Question

We live in a northern suburb of Detroit. Everytime we put our garbage to the curb, within an hour or so, anything of any value is gone! I learned that some of our own neighbors had our stuff in their homes. They were embarrassed when I spotted the items. I can understand why the same old, dilapidated trucks canvas our neighborhood on garbage night--they are probably looking for scrab metal to sell. But I've had people take an old, rotten bird house, broken vacuum cleaners, a half-dead Japanese Maple tree, etc. What do they do with this stuff? Is it that people just can't resist taking things that are free--even if it's junk?

Answer 1

I totally agree with you. I can't stand garbage pickers. It reminds me of black birds picking at a carcass.

Answer 2

Hey I live in Canton, and when I got divorced, i threw out a bunch of my wife's junk she didnt take...like fake flowers, vases, ugly paintings, etc...
I put this stuff out at night, and when i left for work in the morning, a bunch of the crap was gone.
I didn't care, as long as my garbage isnt strewn about haphazardly, who cares.
Some people can fix vacuums, and revive expensive Japanese Maples.
Not everything should be thrown away at the first sign of trobule...not even a spouse

Answer 3

Your idea of garbage and/or junk isn't the same as someone else's. Maybe instead of throwing things away, you should donate them. No more pet peeve and you can get a tax break if you donate enough stuff.

Answer 4

Why should you care, you are getting rid of it anyway. In my neighborhood it is also considered an open invitation when you put anything by the curb. They try to sell it at flea markets, yard sales, sometimes they think they can fix it and sell or use it.
Remember your trash is somebody else's treasure/

Answer 5

Who cares?!It's recycling,and you don't want it anymore.That's just less stuff going to the landfill.It's a good thing.If I have anything salvageable,I put it out early so that someone that might be able to use it has a better chance of getting it.

Answer 6

I knew a couple that furnished their whole apartment from the stuff they pulled from the garbage dumpster.