Could you live a freegan life-style?
Posted by Isabella on Feb 27, 2008 · Member since Jan 2002 · 117 posts
I was just watching Oprah and she did a show on "freegans." It was really interesting how people get food, household and clothing items from dumpsters, although many of these people were professionals and could afford to buy their own food. This is a statement against the consumerism of the North American life-style. So what do you think about this? Could you live like this?
I know I'd starve to death if we tried that where I live but could probably get enough clothing and possibly household items free or second-hand from goodwill centers. I do often use hand-me-down clothing, especially since I'm retired.
I never actually considered dumpster diving until I moved here to LI. Everything is so expensive here, rent and daycare are sucking up my whole paycheck almost that I actually went for a "walk" behind the local grocery store and unfortunatley all their dumpsters are these huge, metal, fully enclosed compactors. There was no way to get into it. :(
Isn't it a requirement to become a freegan in college? With the cost of rent, utilities, books and tuition, there isn't enough leftover for food, clothing and transportation. I remember showing up to every church and school function just for the food LOL.
If you live in a college town, I think it should be a requirement to be freegan at the end of the school year. "Christmas in July" indeed, with everyone chucking everything big, heavy, or a duplicate of something at home, which tends to mean buttloads of furniture, small appliances, shoes, books, art supplies... ;)b
I remember showing up to every church and school function just for the food LOL.
I still do that, though now it's Trader Joe's sample station. On the daily. Sample cup of coffee? Don't mind if I do and don't mind if I do.
I'd draw the line at food. I can't even deal with food a day over it's expiration date. I think I would vomit if I ate food from a dumpster :-[. But it's just my personal opinion, if other people can do it, more power to them, they have a lot more courage than me and are probably making a better difference in this world than me ^-^
I'm with you on this one. My hubby makes fun of me all the time because I am REALLY fussy with expiration dates, dented cans, etc.
I know there's a lot of waste though and I do wish stores would allow it to be donated rather than tossed. I remember my mom getting food from some man that used to go to all the different grocers and get the food they were going to toss. This was years ago though and the rules may have changed. But she used to get fresh veggies, bread, yogurt, eggs, etc. and it all had good exp. dates on it. People shouldn't be allowed to sue for something they are accepting for free anyway. There should be some kind of waiver, like an "eat at your own risk" kinda thing.
We do Freecycle though and have been able to rehome a lot of the things we no longer needed/used. Someone was kind enough to give my teenage daughter a whole "new" wardrobe a couple years back. I think it's a great way to help each other out. :)
I know I'm late but I didn't think about posting here until HH mentioned it in another thread. I have absolutely no problem dumpster diving for everything (even food). We already do that a little bit. My mother and aunt take regular trips to the dump and pick up all sorts of furniture (my mother is a hoarder so that's not the best thing) and other various things. There's also a Rite-Aid near me where my friend and I would check it once in a while when we walked by it because they would throw out perfectly good makeup (unopened, plastic still on it) and that's how she would get some of her makeup.
I live in a wealthy neighborhood and it's kind of divided. You have those who waste and those who try not to so when you walk down the street you will see various houses with stuff on the side of their lawn (usually furniture and kids toys) with a large sign that says "Free". As far as I know, I have yet to get any food from a dumpster but after reading this thread I went and told my mother to stop by the dumpster at Paneras to look for bread (she was all for it).
I remember telling my 13/14 year old cousin about this and she was also all for it, she thought it was awesome. We plan on doing it at some point, like making a night of it. I also remember reading an article about two stores (not sure which) who just toss out clothing into dumpsters for any little problem or if they're "out of season" fashions.
It's insane to me the things that people throw out.
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