Are there any city dumps left?

[KC10Chief]

Maybe my problem is that I live in a big city, but there is nowhere around here to go scavenging for junk! I remember as a kid when we used to go to the dump and there was stuff laying around everywhere. Now, all we have are these gigantic landfills. People bring stuff in to dump, and it's immediately carted off and buried. The only other thing I can think of is to drive around the night before a big haul trash day. Where do you guys scavenge free stuff from?

 

[Elliot Naess]

Many towns and cities have recycling centers where the recyclable and reusable items
are kept away from the garbage. Some allow -- even more-or-less encourage --
"re-purposing", and others may just ignore it if you are not too blatant about it. Some
even sell stuff. Davis, CA; wide open 24/7. Clearlake, CA; they don't pay much attention.
Calistoga, CA; official "yard sale". I'm sure it's tougher in the big cities, but you just
have to ask and look around.

 

[the_experience03]

Craigslist is fantastic. Also...look into whether or not a Freecyle group exists in your area. It's pretty painless as all messages just come from the Yahoo group right to your e-mail, both offers and wanted ads.

 

[pete c-SKO]

Unfortunately many town no longer have a dump. the last place I did that had one put up a sign telling up dump hyenas that we were not welcome, but, like elliot says, as long as you weren't too blatant about it, they pretty much looked the other way. I think it's a matter of liability (thanks again, you $#^$%&*$# lawyers).

The town I used to live in had a good old fashioned dump. That place was a gold mine!!!! I am fairly sure that I took more out of there than I left.

Another idea, if you are looking for scrap metal/wood/whatever is to put ads in your local town classified type paper telling folks you'll gladly come cart away such stuff. These ads are generally free.

 

[Ryan Grimm]

A couple towns I go to have recycling and reuse areas.....the caveat being that you need a town sticker to gain access to these sites!
I lucked out. when I bought my pickup it had one town sticker on it, and eventually the guys there got used to seeing me there.

In the other town (where I live) you need to show that the vehicle you're using for trash etc. disposal has a registration for that town...no sticker fee involved.

I wish I knew where Von Slatt lived, I'd haunt his dump!