Take a Dive In a Virtual Dumpster
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 03.31.08
TreeHugger knows there's an art and a science to dumpster diving, and, even though one person's garbage can often be someone else's treasure, the idea of rooting through the trash isn't everyone's (free) cup of tea, even when there are things like million dollar paintings lurking beneath aging banana peels and chicken bones.
Enter Virtual Dumpsters, a Freecycle-esque online stuff swap that employs the vast power of the internet to help find new homes for old stuff, all for free.
Once you register and get a "vDumpster," upload your unwanted wares into your virtual dumpster; other users can search by location or for the stuff they want, and when a match is made, your old stuff gets a new home. You can also search for things you want, and can extend the searching even further by joining or starting a vDumpster Group.
They've made it easy to keep track of what's available out there, providing RSS alerts of new offerings, and have a Forum for users to chat about their virtual dumpster diving ideas and issues. In addition to virtual diving here in the US, the service is also available in the United Kingdom and Australia, and the worldwide network is working on a few features to make it even easier to use: photo uploads, live chat, GPS location finder and more. Check out their site for more, and, the next time you clean out the garage or attic, consider taking a dive in a virtual dumpster before tossing it in the real thing. ::vDumpsters
See also: ::Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving, ::How to Dumpster Dive, ::Zen and the Art of Dumpster Diving, ::Dumpster Diving by Bicycle, ::Adventures in Eco-Design: Exploring Dumpster Diving, and ::Freecycle.org: It Really Works!
looks like a great idea and looks easier to navigate than freecycle - thanks for the info.
I just checked this out.
It makes it really easy to see what people are getting rid of nationwide, but since I can't pick up from 3000 miles away, why would I need to know that? Freecycle, which facilitates exchanges just within one city, is much more practical and easy to use. It may not have a fancy interface, but it works.
Well rather than leaving old stuff to rot, it is best to see if others can make use of them. Good idea which I believe some are doing only that they dont know what to call it.
I think these guys have just launched www.trashcycle.com for smaller items.
Looks even simpler to use
Good idea as it seems to promote giving to schools and Art type organisations that could use your yoghurt containers, milk bottle tops etc..
Not sure how many more recycling sites we need after this one?
vDumpsters allows you to search by city / state so contrary to a previous post above you don't have to travel 3000 miles. Just thought it would be useful to correct this.
Hmmm, I'm only getting a parked page for the Vdumpster link. Hopefully, it's only temporary.