We have been decluttering, and throwing away lots of stuff that in theory is marginally useful, but had not been touched in many years. Most of this stuff isn't making it to trash day-people go though it and take useful stuff, or the metal for recycling. I'm fine with that, I would much rather see it go to some use than to have it go to landfill and so far they aren't leaving a mess behind.
I question the economics of some of the pickers though--Do you really make more in scrap than the gas you spend collecting it? Especially when you leave your van running as you dig.
The strangest is that apparently some people are going around cutting the cords off any electrical appliances, and only taking the cord. I don't see how that can possibly be worthwhile.
Copper wire? I have never heard of just taking the cord but I can't think of any other reason.
ReplyDeleteI assume it is for the copper, and I know copper is expensive--but it can't be THAT expensive.
ReplyDelete"The scrap value of copper today is $3.45 per pound" I read that they burn the insulation to retrieve the wire. I found it interesting that aluminum can recycling pays less than than $1 a pound (up to 33.5 cans) I think It would be a lot more fun to burn wire than to collect cans!
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