i live in oklahoma and we have what is called "big trash day". it's twice a year (spring and fall) where everyone can put stuff out on the curb that normally wouldn't get picked up with the regular trash. couches, bikes, junk, boxes of miscellaneous stuff, etc. it's like a junker's paradise. they always pick the stuff up on saturdays (early morning) so everyone usually drives around on fridays. i've even seen people out digging in the piles late at night with flashlights. my neighbor drove through a wealthy neighborhood last year and found a big screen tv that only needed a $9 part to fix it. people throw away lawnmowers that only need small parts or to be cleaned up, bikes that are perfect but not needed because their child got a new one, perfectly good stuff. crazy how materialistic our society is.
i also use freecycle. although, i have noticed that people jump on an offer pretty quick, but if you are wanting something, they don't offer at all. i have posted things on there a few times, and always have numerous people wanting it, but i have asked for a few items and got no response. it's just not cool. and i wasn't even asking for strange things either.
oh well.

We have that around here too! we call ours spring clean up

Our town has this, too. We have put things out for the trash, and have seen people going through our piles, but we've never gone exploring ourselves. Our town holds their Spring Cleaning Days the week after the city-wide garage sale. I think that's smart thinking on their part!

We dont have that here, but what a great way to recycle

I really wish that they would do that in our area! I have read about many communities that do that and I have to admit- I would probably be dumpster diving then- if I saw something I needed!

I also agree about freecycle- I actually got rid of a lot of nice things through there- things I could of sold at my yard sale and craigslist and made a decent bit of cash off of it. When I asked for 1 of 2 things (a play vanity set and or play kitchen set)- I recieved no responses. I noticed someone asked for the same thing about 2 weeks after me- she got both of them- from someone who got most of the things I gave away ! Needless to say- I don't give stuff away through them anymore! Sorry for the rant- just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one with that problem!

We have friends in NY that always score great things that week of big trash - furniture, bikes, outdoor toys. I would love that here- I am not afraid to ask if s/one has something nice by the curb but feel like I get silly looks.

As for freecycle, I have gotten everything I have posted a request for, so i've been lucky. I give some away, but not as much as I used to as I have been having problems witht he folks on this freecycle not coming to pick things they've claimed up. It happening occasionally is one thing, but it has been almost every time here and not just once! We were trying to get rid of a couch/loveseat that was so comfy (granted, ugly, but had really nice looking and expensive slipcovers on it) We went through 6 people before 1 actually came and got it. Some forgot, some couldn't find transporation and didn't think they should call, one had an accident, etc. . . .

They do it here too. Actually, here they do "big trash day" the last day of every month, but early spring and fall is the best time. I've gotten some furniture (dressers), but my sil is a pro. I cannot believe the things she finds, fortunately, her dh makes her get rid of most of it and it comes to my house..lol

I've had the same thing happen with Freecycle. Just the other day I posted looking for something, got one response from a lady who "thought" she might have the item and that she would look. Haven't heard a word since.

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Alicia

Mommy to Aidan 10-21-05 and Rori 7-3-07

My area used to do the Spring trash thing but I think they stopped picking it up and now you have to drag it in on certain days.
I agree about the Freecycle. I can't even get dead mums! I wanted to fill in a few spots in our backyard and posted a request for any potted plants that were going to be thrown out.
Just Monday night (trash night) I took Zack out for a walk because I noticed some neighbors had thrown out some plants but he wouldn't shut up (choo, choo, whoot whoot!) so I was too embarrassed to stop and get into anyones stuff!

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Amanda
Mommy to Zack & Emily

Oh i wish they had something like that here!! I love to turn trash into treasure,i'm pretty crafty so i like to find uses for old things. We have freecycle here but you almost have to live at your computer desk day and night to catch the good bargains as they are listed.

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"Go on, get outside, get the stink blown off ya!!"