This spot in Ahunstic was a one-hit wonder that gave me lots of fun stuff to sort through. I think I spent around two and a half hours digging through all these bags.
There was a whole lot of jewelry, though these people did a pretty good job picking out the precious metals.
The nicest piece was probably the sterling silver rosary. I also saved a pair of silver earrings, and few tiny pieces of gold.
This spot was also notable for its fun vintage ephemera and old photos.
My favourites were a couple of framed shots, this one with a gang of people in front of a train …
… and this one of an old house with “1935” marked on the roof. I’ll probably add this one to my personal collection of found junk.
Here’s some more miscellaneous stuff, including two Expo 67 passports, a couple cute handkerchiefs and a pair of gloves, a miniature sewing machine (not sure if it’s supposed to be functional, or if it’s more of a toy), a bit of perfume, and some scrap metal.
I only started picking up metal for scrap a couple years back, and I wish I’d started sooner. It looks like a pile of junk, but there’s probably about 10-15$ here. All these little bits and pieces add up in the end.
The thermometers don’t really have any value, but I show them because they contain mercury, which isn’t supposed to go to landfill. Over the course of my trash picking career I’d guess that I’ve saved at least 10 pounds of mercury from going to the dump. Sometimes it’s these small household thermometers (most of which, I’m guessing were made before 1980), sometimes it’s a big ol’ sphygmomanometer (blood pressure reader) that used to belong to a doctor (there’s so much mercury in those things that you can hear it sloshing around insider), sometimes it’s antique jars full of the stuff. There’s also some amount in some old batteries, electronics and lightbulbs. So make sure to bring that old mercury to the Eco-Center or other hazardous waste disposal site if you have any.
It finally feels like spring outside, and that definitely helps motivate me to go out and get picking. My luck has been slightly better recently, though I’m still not finding anything mind-blowing. I could really use a nice gold haul right about now.
Links
1. My eBay listings, Sign up for eBay (Canada, US), Search for something you want / research something you have (Canada, US) – FYI these are Ebay Partner Network links, so I make a few bucks if you sign up for an account or buy something after getting to eBay using these links
2. Facebook page
3. Follow me on Instagram
4. Email: thingsifindinthegarbage@gmail.com – note that I really suck at email right now, and can’t fulfill most requests for items
Ahh, a post from you ALWAYS makes my day. That’s a fun bunch of stuff you got there! Here’s wishing you good pickings in the months to come. I’m sure the lead-up to Moving Day will yield some good treasures.
Love these posts. When you encounter costume jewelry, broken or singleton jewelry, or other small items, put them together in a large lot and sell them. These can be of interest to crafters looking to make assemblage jewelry or charm bracelets. (If you don’t do this already)
I agree with the first comment — I always am happy to see a new post written by you, Martin! Hurrah that you were able to spend “around two and a half hours digging through all these bags” — instead of being harrassed/chased away! I also very much appreciate/admire how many different things you have learned how to sell (and how much mercury you have keep out of landfills and/or incinerators… Thank you for ALL that you do!!!
Good haul, Martin! I love following your adventures. It always surprises me that you find so much discarded ephemera, plus old photos. I suppose some of the old frames are usable?
Great post! I look forward to hearing what the Spring picking season has to offer you.
Yay! Your post made my day! 🙂
Quite apart from your interesting (and often lucrative) finds, I’m very happy to know you have a healthy respect for the environment and make every effort to relocate the “bad” stuff you come across to safer territory than a landfill. Good on you!
Love all your pics; your found items are always very artfully laid out … easy for your readers to examine and digest.
Love the in situ pics too … they makes me feel like I’m there, with you, partaking in the joy of discovery.
I eagerly read your posts. thanks
That looks like a real sewing machine to me, not a toy. Possibly one for traveling/carrying. It’s simple, but they used to make them that way. A lot less parts to break (or to figure out how to use).
Looks like you had fun in that pile. Love a treasure hunt. Since you have dealt with a precious metal dealer,l I hope you can help me. I found an antique spoon marked with hallmarks including a bent arm and hammer. It appears that is a coin silver hallmark. Before 1870 this means 90% silver It is a large serving spoon and weighs 2 grams. I got an offer on ebay for $12 which seems very low. Any ideas?
Always so happy to see a post from you! With good weather coming and people moving around more, I bet there will be some good picking around the corner. Thanks for saving all of that Mercury from the landfill/oceans!
It is criminal someone can throw out such beautiful stuff and such great vintage photos.I am very happy you rescued them.I live in Ahuntsic.I am curious which street in Ahuntsic you found these treasures.Which one?
It is great you rescued these vintage photos and vintage photos from the trash.Bravo.It is crazyl to throw such stuff out in the trash in the first place.Which street in Ahuntsic did you find this stuff in ?I live in Ahuntsic myself,near Henri Bourassa metro.
I’m always amazed by what you find. My family used to live in Montreal, and I always wonder if things from them will end up in the trash by some unknown distant relative who just doesn’t appreciate what they have or inherited. I definitely try to keep what I have and not accumulate more because I think it will be sad at the end of my time to see items that meant something to me just thrown out. I maintain what I have and tell my children to buy quality 2nd hand and only what you need. Less cleaning too lol! Nice to see that you re-home items instead of them landing in the dump. Take care.
Thanks for the new post, I wonder about you from time to time and how you are doing. I Joe you are in good spirits friend. My favorite thing you found this time are the handkerchiefs. The picture of the train is pretty neat too! I live in Texas and picking, curbside scavenging & or dumpster diving is always a jackpot. I started scrapping in 2000 when the government shut down the non essential workforce. It’s a decent way to make extra money. It’s also a great way to provide things you need and save money not buying them. I am always amazed at the stuff people discard and wonder why😉 … happy hunting my friend! You can email me anytime if you want someone to talk to!
Love your posts. Mostly sadly befuddled by people. Things worth money – something another could use are being added to a landfill. I do not get it, never will. You do a wonderful job writing and sharing. Bless you!
I love your blog; I started garbage picking just to collect the alcohol bottles I saw for the rebate, but it developed into more of a self-decided charity work as I pick up gently used items and furniture and donate them (or sometimes bring them home, but only if I think I can use them and justify them to the family)
I had a question for you; did you at one point have a statement saying “I make no distinction between something bought in a store and something found on the curb, because almost everything at the store will end up at the curb one day”?
The reason I ask is because I was trying to explain my hobby to my family and when trying to think of an explanation, this phrase popped into my head.
If this wasn’t you, can you think of a good way to explain this to someone who’s having trouble wrapping their head around the idea of rescuing (still good) items from the garbage?
I love your blog.You inspire me so much.I go to McGill.Just want to let you know The Cheap Thrills store on Metcalfe street next to peel metro.I found some good vinyl records discarded in a plastic bag next to black plastic garbage bags on trash day (this Monday morning) and rescued them.I found some very good records.Two years ago I found vinyl records discarded at the same spot.I urge your readers to keep their eyes open outside Cheap Thrills store for vinyl records in the trash on trash pickup day.I have no idea how often they do it.I hope some one will jump into action.