Have you heard of Freegans?
By lumenmom
@lumenmom (1986)
United States
May 3, 2009 11:13am CST
I was online searching another site when I ran across a video that talks about freegans. I had never heard of them before but basically they refuse to buy anything new and live totally off recyclables and things thrown away (even food in dumpsters). The gentleman on the video is very intellegent and has a good job so this is not done out of need but as way to really break waya from conventioal consumerism. Have you heard of this or do you know anyone that is a Freegan?
2 responses
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
3 May 09
I've heard of a freegan before. I don't see anything wrong with it, but for people just to be aware of local laws and probable risks of rotten food or glass or whatever could be in someones garbage.
Now I can see picking up something you see curbside and using it if you can. But I can't see literally not buying anything in a store whatsoever ya know?!?!
See a person can't really do that around here as the stores dont' like dumpster divers, they see them as a liablity. Wich to me, I can see. However, I do feel if they are throwing out things that someone could use why don't they donate more things to food pantries? Why don't more stores have scratch'n dent asiles?
My friend in HS, her mom would go diving in their local grocery stores dumpster and we had even caught her in the act behind the store. But you know they have cameras now and some places depending on where you live once it's in the trash can it's not up for grabs anymore it's the city or whomever's property. Not that it stops everyone but one does worry if you try it if you are the one who ends up getting caught ya know?
My Aunt & Mom & 2nd cuz used to patron the dumpster of the local garden chain and get alot of freshcut flower arrangements that were on the cusp of wilting. Eventually they got shoed away by employees.
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
3 May 09
I think the food pantries have sanity issues when it comes to thrown out food but then you'll come to some who will take all they can get just have to research it i guess. I think it would be enlightening to actually see all that gets thrown out. I wouldn't doubt for a minute that you get tons of food thrown out still sealed and in its original container because places have to keep things fresh and not a minute over especially restaurants and its just easier and quicker to throw it out. I know back when I was a kid my dad worked beside some offices and we would be hanging outside in back of the store and see all this furniture thrown out that looked just fine (probably just got new furniture) and tons of paper, office equipment and material that was still good. In fact, alot of stuff our father let us take home and use in our basement for play. We nearly had our own office set up it was fun. I recycle and I'll have it on my mind all day if I throw something out that someone else could use. We send all our extra clutter (books, furniture, pic frames, clothes, etc) to Goodwill. I know about the freegans while doing a search a while ago, before I had kids, and I really think all the information they had was very logical and made sense. But I guess Im a hippie at heart, now my bf becoming one, were actually working on eliminating the tv right now.
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
3 May 09
I think it is a great concept if you can do it. I know a lot of people that go for the free stuff but it takes a hard core person to make it a lifestyle commitment. I use coupons, recycle and do food swaps but I doubt I could ever live "for free" or as the freegans do. I think more and more people are getting thrifty but it does require a lot of time. I guess if you spent the same amount of time looking for free stuff as you do shopping it works out at the end of the day.