trash run turned into food stockpile
Posted by leannuh_renay@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 21 comments
My brother and I do trash runs and dumpster dives regularly for scrap metal and second hand goods to use or sell. I've been anxious about stocking up on stuff ahead of the inauguration etc and pushing him to do more dumpster stops. We didn't get to one tonight but we found an apartment move out or eviction with a ton of good condition items (clothes, shower curtain etc) but there was also a whole bag of pantry good, we're talking at least 20 cup noodles.
We're already poor so those would go a long way to begin with but it assuaged some of my anxiety to get such a good load so randomly!
maimou1@reddit
Older lady here. My parents grew up in the 30s. And even though my father was a corporate real estate in developer back in the '60s and '70s, mom still had the approach that we had to have food. So we had a 22 cubic foot freezer stuffed with vegetables and meats, and two huge garage size steel shelf units full of canned goods. Right now I don't have that much available, but some reorganization around the house and it will be coming.
TheCarcissist@reddit
I remember once I saw my grandmother wiping off and folding up some used tinfoil after a dinner. Being young I found it odd and I asked my dad about it later. He told me that generation lived through the great depression and generally don't waste anything..... it was probably my birth as a prepper and is firmly ingrained in me
OdesDominator800@reddit
Same here. From our grandaunt, we inherited a garage that used to have those old glass head gas pumps along with a trailer park that had 30's and 40's trailers on it, an apartment and washroom. It also had a house built in 1900 that was rented by a couple from the Midwest who came to California by covered wagon. Sadie Chandler and her husband Bob were the best renters anyone could ever have. Every holiday, they would bake things, making breads, pies, and candies. He had a bicycle shop out of the garage that still had a dirt floor. And went around picking up old broken things and fixing them or scraping them out. Our place was along Hwy 99, which went from LA, thru Arizona to Texas, and we even watched them build Interstate 10 back in the 60's. Everyone there went thru the Great Depression and were very humble people. They always liked having us stop by to visit.
maimou1@reddit
Oh yes. I live in Florida now and every hurricane season. There's a lot in the media about getting ready for it. I pretty much stay that way year round. I just check to make sure I have enough of what I need and go from there. These last two hurricanes garnered me enough overtime that I'm going to be significantly upsizing my generator.
leannuh_renay@reddit (OP)
We don’t have much space either but we’re going to work with what we’ve got
maimou1@reddit
Hey, under the bed works if you have the mattress on a frame. I've been known to drape tablecloths over storage boxes piled up. Voila, occasional table.
leannuh_renay@reddit (OP)
love that! Yeah we know how to get creative when we need to lol
PerformanceDouble924@reddit
Now google "freegan." You can get a much better haul behind the supermarket.
gilbert2gilbert@reddit
Dang, 20 cup noodles. Where you gonna store all that?
battleshipcarrotcake@reddit
Good for you that you never experienced how five days of food security takes a load off ones psyche.
SignificantGreen1358@reddit
Happiness is a full pantry for me
leannuh_renay@reddit (OP)
💩
rozina076@reddit
Good job! Your scrounging skills will come in handy regardless of what may come.
leannuh_renay@reddit (OP)
Yeah absolutely, that’s what my brother’s been saying too, we’re set up with skills and knowledge we’ll need going forward regardless
Pea-and-Pen@reddit
That’s great! Every little bit helps for sure. When I first started prepping I bought quite a bit of canned foods that we don’t actually like (spam, Chunky soups; etc). I ended up with a bunch out of date and I knew we wouldn’t be cycling through them. I made a Facebook post listing them as free and noting the fact that they were past the best by date. Someone contacted me almost immediately and came and got a whole plastic tote full. That worked out well for both of us.
We have a spot in our side yard right by the road where we put things we no longer want or need that isn’t trash. People drive by frequently to see if we have anything out. I think it’s a really good idea and it helps people with things they need and we get rid of stuff we don’t want. Recently we had a women’s bicycle which a man was ecstatic about. Tons of nice clothing, decor, holiday items, kitchen items, even old flowers from our families graves at the cemetery. My motto is that if there is a possibility that someone else could use it then I’m not putting it in the trash. Very infrequently do we put things out that no one picks up.
psycho-skipper@reddit
Prepping for what? The 21 days or so between collapse and when a gang decides they want what you have?
Pea-and-Pen@reddit
Why are you here if you are sarcastic about prepping? But anyway, prepping for Tuesday and earthquake.
ReturnOfJohnBrown@reddit
The coming police state.
leannuh_renay@reddit (OP)
That’s great, we always appreciate people who make an effort to make good stuff known because even if we can’t use it we try to find someone who can. We found a ton of clothes at the same apartment clean out that I’m going to donate to local houseless people and / or hurricane relief
Appreciate you
SunLillyFairy@reddit
Good haul... take your blessings where given.
IMO, If S ever HTF, folks that already know how to survive in tough times will have an advantage.
kkinnison@reddit
I live in a city burb. and i am not going to waste time trying to scrap metal and get a few $ for hauling it. I can put office chairs, broken rusted Grills most bulk items. it all goes to the curb and is gone