Yesterday’s trash run reinforced the fact that I’m going to need to buy a good backpack if I’m going to be an effective garbage picker in the coming months. I currently only have a little milk crate on the back of my bike to carry things but it’s not nearly enough. I think I’m going to buy one of those big hiking backpacks; that way I can be sure I can take home as much as I want.
I came across some nice stuff in these bags on Cartier near Mont-Royal.
I found this glue gun – tested it and it works fine.
Some painting supplies and a lot of screws. Screws are kind of expensive so it’s nice to save these. I have a growing collection of screws and nails from the trash now – not just from Thursday but from last September too. I also found a nice mallet – I have one exactly like it that I once used for leather-making.
Two paint trays that are definitely usable.
A pair of Fostex T20 headphones…
My room-mate tested them out and they work great! They’re actually pretty nice headphones. Very comfortable. I looked them up on Ebay and other used ones are selling for between 50-79$. Definitely a good find!
I came across this stuff not far up the road. Inside the case in the foreground I found something I had to bring home, even though it’s pretty common to find them in the garbage.
I can’t resist bringing home typewriters. This one’s a Smith-Corona “Enterprise.” I like it a lot – the colour scheme fits my style.
I think I’ll keep it for myself – it might encourage me to write more. It works great and there’s even a good quantity of ink. It was a pain in the ass getting this back – I had to keep it on my handlebars because I already had most of a hardware store sitting in my crate – but I’m glad I made the effort.
How many typewriters do you have now?
I have only this one myself now, but there are two others.
you are going to require a wagon that you can attach to your back wheel, as well as a backpack.
good finds!
Amazing! This typewriter looks almost identical to one I had when I was 13, does it have an erase ribbon too?
nice Fostex T20 headphones whos the bozo that threw them away lol
Hi,
Great finds!!! I have a hiking bag I can trade for something let me know and I can bring it Monday.
Thanks
Andrea
I love your typewriter find.It must be difficult for you sometimes to bike and at the same time try to glance and catch sight of interesting-looking garbage bags.If you find vinyl records in the trash,do rescue them.Many people collect them and listen to them.
Sure is. I’m still trying to find the sweet spot of efficiency and patience. Either way, I’m definitely happy I’ve kept my eyesight. I haven’t seen records in a while, but it’s just a matter of time until I come across them again.
You sure are good at what you do!! You need a bike trailer!! I know I often see them in local thrift stores, the kind that kids ride in but you could retro fit them!! Keep your eyes peeled!! You could become the KING OF TRASH w/ a trailer!!
True. I may just get one of the children ones. They’re still a good size and more importantly are pretty light.
People throw things out in the garbage, you should look there for a knapsack.
Seriously, I once found a large knapsack in the garbage, it was either fine or needed minor patching. It was lousy for travel, no pockets, but kind of useful for cargo like groceries.
Four years ago I found a small MEC shoulder bag, considering its size, it has quite decent capacity. Though, I had to wash it a few times to get rid of the perfume. It seemed like someone had spilled some or even broken a bottle of perfume in it, and then tossed because of the smell.
A year ago I found a larger but less sturdy shoulder bag that must have come with a subscription to “Forbes”, that I keep tools in.
Laptop bags are relatively common.
Michael
It’s definitely just a matter of time until I find a good backpack. I just want to make sure I have one for the end of the month “rush.”
I saw an attachment that will convert a manual typewriter so it will show up on your computer. Hey you should pitch yourself for a reality TV show.
Haha. I’ve thought about that kind of stuff. It could be kind of cool to have a “storage-wars” type valuation of things.
I read your blog and thank you.I am a francophone but appreciate your presence in Montreal.Montreal needs more environmentalists and anglophones like you.I hope you get prosperous by finding cash or by picking up valuable trash thrown out.You should not give everything away,but build your own collections of certain items and save up money too.Money will come in handy to you.
Glad you like the blog, and I hope so too. I never know what I’ll find next.
I’ve thought about making the blog bilingual, but I’m not sure how that would work in the practical sense. I’d have to make a french version of the site, as too much text on each page might scares some people off (many of whom are not Canadian). We’ll see. It would be a good way to get better at french and show respect to the francophonie of Quebec.
Love your blog and that typewriter is such a cool find!