I went dumpster diving and managed to rescue lot of the electronics that I still use today. Cleaned them, tried fixing them and even if I couldn’t fix them I usually kept them to have some spare parts. Even some tools I got for free from neighbors and others. Like a really old tool box with some screw drivers and pliers that were really rusted, but still usable. It was an “either you take it, or it goes in the trash” kind of situation.
One of the monitors I’m using right now to watch a video on is an early 2000s Dell office monitor. And I plan on using it until it breaks so bad that any attempt at repairing it is futile.
The PC I have? Used and almost 10 years old. Got it for a decent price. GNU/Linux breathes life into any old hardware from the last decade+.
The TV I have? “Inherited” from a passed family member. The people clearing their apartment wanted to throw it in the trash.
Let me say this though: I don’t recommend just going dumpster diving. At least not anymore. There are just too many risks involved these days. I myself stopped doing it because the places I used to go to have been progressively getting more and more strict and take a lot more precautions compared to a few years ago. Not sure how things are where you live, but I think the used market is probably your best option.
There have been times where I almost got caught. A few times I’ve likely been seen which caused some to put a big lock on the dumpsters and a guy checking every now and then. Many wouldn’t be afraid to call the police on you for “stealing” or “trespassing” or whatever.
And yet cops don’t need warrant of probable cause to use anything ‘discarded’ as evidence against someone, seems important enough for them to make a distinction then. Just shows what a joke our “free society” is.
I went dumpster diving and managed to rescue lot of the electronics that I still use today. Cleaned them, tried fixing them and even if I couldn’t fix them I usually kept them to have some spare parts. Even some tools I got for free from neighbors and others. Like a really old tool box with some screw drivers and pliers that were really rusted, but still usable. It was an “either you take it, or it goes in the trash” kind of situation.
One of the monitors I’m using right now to watch a video on is an early 2000s Dell office monitor. And I plan on using it until it breaks so bad that any attempt at repairing it is futile.
The PC I have? Used and almost 10 years old. Got it for a decent price. GNU/Linux breathes life into any old hardware from the last decade+.
The TV I have? “Inherited” from a passed family member. The people clearing their apartment wanted to throw it in the trash.
Let me say this though: I don’t recommend just going dumpster diving. At least not anymore. There are just too many risks involved these days. I myself stopped doing it because the places I used to go to have been progressively getting more and more strict and take a lot more precautions compared to a few years ago. Not sure how things are where you live, but I think the used market is probably your best option.
If you don’t mind me asking, what are the risks?
There have been times where I almost got caught. A few times I’ve likely been seen which caused some to put a big lock on the dumpsters and a guy checking every now and then. Many wouldn’t be afraid to call the police on you for “stealing” or “trespassing” or whatever.
HEY YOU, STOP STEALING THE THINGS IM SENDING TO THE LANDFILL!
And yet cops don’t need warrant of probable cause to use anything ‘discarded’ as evidence against someone, seems important enough for them to make a distinction then. Just shows what a joke our “free society” is.
But they throw it out, surely they no longer want it. Eesh.
Thank you for sharing your experience, appreciate it.
Always welcome, comrade!
Removed by mod
basado
What’s your distro?
Parabola GNU/Linux-libre