Dumpster Diving

Dumpster Diving is not necessarily something new that has been created. Individuals have been doing it for years; however, where once people were looked down on by the majority of their peers for recycling furniture someone else had thrown out, now it is seen by some as something preferable rather than continuously contributing to the ever increasing cycle of consumerism and waste. Now there are organized groups who come together to dumpster dive. I am familiar with this because my grandmother, against my will, use to take me as a child to sift through trash to find recyclable cans, furniture and anything else which caught her attention. Although I do believe that dumpster diving is a good thing, it's hard to get past my own issues with being forced to do it.

However, there are times when I want to try something like this, particularly when I talk to someone who found something amazing in the trash, like a guitar that only needed its strings replaced and I'm stuck contemplating what store is having the better sale in guitars. The group Freegan that is a combination of the words "free" and "vegan" dumpster dive in New York. They point out something that I have already noticed, but they take it even further and that is that the fact of the matter is we all may not like corporations' lack of concern for the environment, the welfare of their employees or the welfare of human life in general, but by continuing to buy their products, by working in their company or a company that buys their product we are basically giving them our blessing. I have spoken to people who complain about the unjust things their bosses do, yet they still work there and won't even dare to address the problem to their boss directly. That is a problem, we should not be afraid of corporations and the people who run them, it should always be the other way around.

Unfortunately, many people over the years have put so much value on money that these companies will continue to exist because there will always be someone out there willing to compromise their beliefs for the almighty paycheck. Consumerism is consuming the consumers! When I worked at a retail store, I cannot remember the number of people who came to me to show them the latest iPod and I would glance at the one they were holding in there hand and their answer would be, "Oh, this one is years old. I mean it still works, but I want latest one. Besides, mine looks a little beat up now". When I take it further and ask how many iPods they have bought over the years, the answer is usually at least 3, and sometimes 4 or 5! In almost every instance as well their old iPod is still in perfectly good working condition, it's just failed the test of being "still new". For those people, rather than throwing out a perfectly good iPod, or computer monitor, they should check out the Freecycle site. This site allows you to trade products with others absolutely free. So instead of throwing out something you no longer want you can trade that for something else you do want. That's something, I might be looking into soon as I want to make my book collection more compact and I do not believe in throwing books in the trash! It feels almost sacreligious.

Freegan was also mentioned in the The New York Times last year in June as a few "freegans" were waiting outside an NYU dormitory for the graduating students to move out and dump whatever they no longer wanted in the trash. For the article click here. I also found a site called Outside.In that mentions that NYU is considered the best dumpster diving spot as a lot of "treasures" can be found in trash. The Living Web also talks about the misconception that many people have about those who are looking through trash for something that is still usable. There are also some who make money off of dumpster diving as they find something that is still in good condition and are able to sell something they got for free for a profit.


There are even channels now like PlanetGreen that have shows dedicated to eating right for yourself and the environment, to exploring alternative fuel sources and they have a show called the G Word that explores individuals and/or groups of individuals coming up with innovative ways to protect their environment and cut down on waste. One episode of G Word I remembered watching with my mother had this lady named Evette Rios, "the Salvage Queen" who basically takes someone's furniture that they have thrown out, and she and her friend give it a complete overhaul and return it to the owner! She's actually right here in New York!

Stuff I Do

I thought about what I do with my days and evenings and whether or not I enjoy my leisure time. To be honest I have very little leisure time. I do watch television; however, I don't watch that much as there is very little on that interests me. Except this month, as I love Halloween and there are a lot of shows such as "Haunted History" and "Weird Travels" that I try to watch when I can. But, excluding the month of October, weekly I would say that I watch a maximum of ten hours of television. The shows that interest me are not shown on t.v. here in the United States.

As for internet use, I do use the computer or surf the internet a decent amount, but again weekly it adds up to ten, maybe fifteen hours as my mother uses my laptop daily and I don't have access to it that easily. Because school has been a bit of a challenge this session, I usually go on simply to check my emails, my Japanese homework assignments and blackboard for any other assignments, like this blog. I don't use the internet as much as I used to. I used to watch various shows from overseas that I like, but as I am playing catch up with a lot of my classes, I haven't been able to watch any of the shows, or anime I enjoy watching.

When I do have leisure time, I usually spend it writing my thoughts or ideas down in one of my books or listening to music and relaxing in my room. I do like spending time with friends on occasion, mostly just walking around outside because I'm not big on shopping except when it's necessary. The one thing I do love shopping for is more books to read. I used to love buying video games, but as I no longer have time to play them, I don't go shopping for them anymore.

In short, my time is spent studying, listening to music and writing. I would love more time for writing as that is one of the careers I will have in the future. I am continuing with college because I feel it's helpful as far as writing and it gives people the tools to question and research what they hear. The main problem with the world is the fact that a college education is not available for many. I was in shock when my teacher said that only 1% of people worldwide complete college. In order to prevent a lot of the problems with corporations and politicians who don't care, we need the future generations to attend college. In order to stop global warming, we need to take a global initiative. Starting in whatever state or country you are in is the beginning, but it has to be taken further than that.

Our teacher also showed us two videos, one was "The Story of Stuff" which upset me, particularly the part about a neurotoxic flame retardant being used on some of the pillows and mattresses that we use unknowingly, and a piece of "The Company" which shows how crooked corporations can be. Those videos left me feeling extremely angry by what we allow simply because it's not information right at hand. You won't see these lawsuits and payouts these companies were forced to make on the front page of the newspaper. I mean, after all, these are "big issues" not worthy of gracing the front page. It's astonishing how much pertinent worldwide information does not make it into these papers.

Watching these videos also reminded me of a video I saw in another class that caught my attention and I found it very interesting and, at times, even a little creepy. I've added it below for people to watch if they so choose. It was created by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod. Enjoy and let me know what you think. After all, shift happens.

Green Methods

Global Warming is a main cause of many of the dangers we are having to face; from depleting water sources, to severe weather changes, to endangered wildlife. The main problem is the rising temperatures, which I feel at the core of all these dangers. There are a variety of possible solutions and there are organizations out there dedicated to solving the problem of global warming. Two of the sites I have discovered I feel have ways to help the environment that both homeowners and businesses could employ.

Two of the major causes of pollutants stem from electricity and gas. So we not only need to purchase eco-friendly cars that use alternative fuel sources, but take steps to limit or erase electricity use. The NESEA (Northeast Sustainable Energy Association) is a mine of information regarding various methods and . . . ta-da! tax credits and other ways to save money or get more money back simply by being more green! They provide information on various methods for making your home more green and, for those shopping for home and wishing to make it eco-friendly from the start, they provide info on various methods (biopower, fuel cells, solar electricity, solar hot water, etc.) so that you have several options to employ. There are even places that will install solar panels at a very cheap price and, depending on where you live in the United States, you will receive discounts on any electricity you have to use at night. Places like JointheSolution give you information on these.

The NESEA also provides a link to DSIRE (Database of State Incentive for Renewables & Efficiency), which, once you click on your state, give you a breakdown of all possible personal and business credits (means money!) you can either get more of, or pay less for all because you are ahead of the curve!!! You can't tell me you don't like money, okane, dinero, buckaroos!!! The NESEA also has lists of the various kinds of cars that cut down on gas emissions. They show you the hybrid vehicles to battery-electric vehicles, to cars that run on used vegetable oil. There are quite a few to choose from and, in future cars that run on gasoline, indeed the traditional gas stations may soon become something we read about only in history books.

There are also innovative new, kawaii (cute) vehicles being developed by companies such as Nissan. Their Pivo 2 is not only electric powered and, for those like my mother who have trouble parallel parking, it eliminates the need for this difficult endeavor. You won't hear your relative or friend telling you, "Please get out and let me know when to stop backing up so I don't hit the car behind me." When you pull alongside a parking space the wheels rotate and the car slides in sideways. Also, the top of the car roates as well, so you no longer have to look in your rearview mirror; waiting for traffic to ebb before you hop out of the driver's side. It rotates and the door opens on the sidewalk. It may look small, but this baby can seat three people.


It also includes robotic features and is extremely different from any concept car I have seen. This car talks and listens to the driver!! It infers "the driver's mood through conversation and facial monitoring technology". How amazing is that. Although, I don't think this car would interest most men as it is oh so cute, but who knows! I may be mistaken.

Pollutants at home and by car are two of the biggest hazardous impacts on our environment. By using sources through sites such as these, we can seriously decrease emissions which lead to global warming.