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Peter Walsh

Peter Walsh

Design professional and star of TLC's Clean Sweep

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Meryl Starr

Organizing expert, author and personal consultant

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Debbie Stanley

Author and owner of Red Letter Day, a professional organizing...

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News

The latest news on this change — carefully culled from the world wide web by our change agents. They do the surfing, so you don't have to!

Dumpster Diving

Dumpster Diving

Join the Freegans! The what? No, freegans have nothing to do with a dairy-free diet, but rather, they are a group that tries to cut out as much waste as possible from their daily lives. Their MO is not just about recycling and going green, it’s about dumpster diving—that roll-up-your-sleeves skill that turns trash into treasure!
 
Call them garbage pickers or scavengers, any way you slice it, this swatch of society is onto something. Who wouldn’t want to furnish a home entirely from street finds if they’re in decent condition? The Huffington Post has some tips if you decide to take the dumpster plunge, but even if you aren’t ready to dive on in there, easier and cleaner options abound.
 
Craigslist and sites like Freeycle can match up unwanted objects with new owners, as long as you’re willing to go pick them up. Need some “new” clothes and want to get rid of some old? Hold a clothing swap party and exchange among your friends and family—that way you know where your new threads are coming from!

Do you follow any “freegan” principles? Which would you be willing to try? [Huffington Post]

Posted: 7/30/08