Ready for some more examples of stuff I found for free within the curbside recycling in my city near my residence?
Of course you are, so let’s jump right in.
Sealed New HP Printer Toner Set:
- Sold online for $224.
- It was missing one color from the set, which would’ve made it much more valuable.
- Found in the cardboard recycling section. I kicked the boxes just in case they were full and am glad I did!
- This is the second time I’ve found sealed new HP toner outside.
- Printer toner doesn’t expire like ink.
- These sell super well and quickly.
- Shipping weight with recycled packaging of 6 lbs 8 oz.
Here’s the proof.
Crazy wasteful. I know...
Gaming Computer Motherboard:
- Sold online for parts/repair for $75.
- I took this out of the large tower on the street.
- I couldn’t test it, but it was easier to take this and keep walking.
- Computers are common to find, but don’t always have motherboards valuable enough to sell for parts/repair.
- I’ve found and gotten access to many computers and external hard drives people toss. It’s amazing how people are so careless with their data. Thankfully for them, I’m ethical and have never abused this.
- Item weight of 2 lbs 14 oz before shipment with a USPS flat rate package.
Vintage Exercise Bike Control Display:
- Sold online for $123.50.
- I found the entire bike in immaculate shape, but I didn’t have the means to bring it back at the time. My friends also set up a surprise online Catan game, so I simply took this with a screwdriver and went home to play the game.
- The bike would’ve sold for $350-$450 cash, so this was a decent portion to take from that with no hassle. I left money, but saved a cab ride or two for transport, and the space in my storage unit.
- Shipping weight of 1 lb 8 oz with recycled packaging.
Nakamichi AM/FM Stereo Tuner:
- Sold for $130 cash.
- Audiophile brand and quality.
- Tested and sold at a discount for cash. It should’ve sold for $160, but I lowered the price to move it.
- Nakamichi has a strong resale demand.
- Weight of 10 lbs 5 oz.
And the proof, along with other stuff I found in the same spot... and sold...
Found these around 6 am after forcing myself outside because I skipped going out at night. The trucks were right up the street collecting, so I got them just in time. My hands were clearly very full, BUT then I found a 17 pound indoor bike trainer shortly after.
My arms were very sore from lugging this lopsided haul home on foot.
Like New Electrolux Vacuum Powerhead:
- Tested and sold online for $150.
- I found the entire vacuum in a clear bag during the afternoon while walking around for something else.
- I carried the bag home over my should for 15 minutes and saw that the entire vacuum almost brand new, but had one small issue with a clip on the canister. So lame...
- This was such an easy sell, as these particular motorheads are in high demand.
- Shipping weight with recycled packaging of 8 lbs 3 oz.
Like New Electrolux Electric Vacuum Hose:
- Tested and sold online for $60.
- Two used parts of the same vacuum quickly sent out the door for $210!
- Compare this to selling the entire vacuum for cash, and it’s significant higher. It’s about leveraging supply and demand online, versus low supply and low demand locally. Parting out usually wins.
- Shipping weight of 3 lbs 10 oz with recycled packaging.
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- 6 sales / $762.50 revenue = $127 per find
- 17% of revenue received as cash.
- Revenue is before any fees or shipment.
- No costs. Can’t beat that.
- 33 pounds salvaged and reused!
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I’m posting 5-6 examples here to spread out the recent results since I don’t have millions of examples. I’m also being more detailed for each as you can see, a fair trade versus my typical 10 examples with less info.
The amount of items here in no way shape or form correlates to the amount of effort I put into finding, restoring, fixing, selling and shipping them. My effort is intended to help the environment, others, and to support myself so I can keep doing this while patiently waiting for crypto to do its thing. It’s been almost 6 years since I worked for anyone else, or at all... These things are my rewards.
Plenty more to share, so stay tuned.
Thanks for your interest,
Matt