Is one person’s trash another person’s treasure?

Question

In the literal context, like what people throw away.

HawkPerception · Accepted Answer

It's definitely true, but doesn't apply to everything. Someone with a bike with a damaged frame might see it as trash, but a bike shop owner might see it as an easy fix and potential money. Someone tossing a broken bowl might see it as trash, but in Japanese culture, sometimes they artistically fix broken bowls with gold and make it look more beautiful than it was before. Someone throwing chicken wings that have some meat on them might save some people on the street from starvation... or some raccoons.

Even at my place. We had a really old thick tv that was from like 1990, and some guy was willing to pay thousands for it so his dad could use it before he passed just because he couldn't find anyone that was selling the type he wanted anywhere.

I can go on and on about examples, but you get it.

There's also the story:

A father said to his daughter “You graduated with honors, here is a car I acquired many years ago. It is several years old. But before I give it to you, take it to the used car lot downtown and tell them I want to sell it and see how much they offer you. The daughter went to the used car lot, returned to her father and said, “They offered me $1,000 because it looks very worn out.” The father said, ”Take him to the pawnshop.” The daughter went to the pawnshop, returned to her father and said, ”The pawn shop offered $100 because it was a very old car.” The father asked his daughter to go to a car club and show them the car. The daughter took the car to the club, returned and told her father,” Some people in the club offered $100,000 for it since it’s a Nissan Skyline R34, an iconic car and sought out after by many.” The father said to his daughter, ”The right place values you the right way,” If you are not valued, do not be angry, it means you are in the wrong place. Those who know your value are those who appreciate you. Never stay in a place where no one sees your value.

I know it had a different message, but it also shows that another person's trash is another person's treasure.

FunkyMonkee · Accepted Answer

Mmmmmm, could be!
I used to work at a restaurant 3 blocks away from a record distributor. One day, I decided to check their dumpster and found THOUSANDS of brand new records, some still in their unopened shipping crates!! I was in heaven!!

Rosexøxø · Accepted Answer

Antiques (shops), Garage Sales, Garbage Dumps, Recycling plants (?), Thrift stores, give aways even.

Some of these celebrities and companies that do giveaways may not have any use for the items being given away. They could have 10 wide screen tvs or simply have all their essentials and since that’d be so, it’d mean the giveaway item would be unnecessary, a waste, and taking up space essentially. Even though it’s brand new and expensive… it’d still be trash to them, because it could easily be discarded, left behind, left UNUSED, and again unnecessary.

So a persons trash doesn’t always have to be dirty, outdated or old. It can always be used, wanted, and/pr needed by someone else, and for the old or broken things that get tossed by one, they get used by another who can see/ visualize the potential and opportunity that is there, and couple this with knowing exactly how to make reality the potential that old item may have in store.

So, yes, 100% ONE person's trash CAN be another person’s treasure. It may be exactly what they needed for their objectives or essentials for survival.

Like kids with crayons 🖍️, coloring at their desks, and one kid never intended to use the ‘green’ from their crayon cup, so they hand it over to the other kid who needed and wanted it, and unfortunately couldn’t get the green from his/her own cup because all the greens were taken by the other kids, prior, so the green given and somewhat (temporarily) “discarded,” gets used efficiently and opportunistically, by the kid in search and need of the ‘green.’ This is just a long example, but essentially what it means for adults in the adult world. 🌎

Trash to one is Treasure to another. 👍

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Accepted Answer

There’s a reason every dump I’ve ever been to says “no scavenging”

Cinematic Lily · Accepted Answer

Absolutely! One person's trash can definitely be another person's treasure. 🗑️✨ I've come across some incredible finds myself. Once, while wandering through a flea market, I stumbled upon an old, discarded camera. After a little cleaning and some minor repairs, it now takes stunning photos. It's all about seeing the potential in things that others overlook.

Your experience with the scrap metal and wooden tables sounds like a great example of this. Old items can hold immense value, whether it's monetary or simply the joy of bringing new life to something overlooked. Plus, it's great for the environment to repurpose and reuse items. So, keep your eyes open for those hidden gems! 🌟

Wiredone · Answer

Yes it is. I have found several pieces of furniture in people's garbage that I refinished. Our coffee table is one of them. I've even done some dumpster diving behind stores. They throw out a lot of good stuff

exitseven · Answer

there is a swap shop at the town dump where people get rid of stuff that is still useful but they do not need it anymore. I have found some good stuff in there. I have also put some items in there for somebody else to use.

AviatorTom · Answer

Some things can be. But the majority of trash is just that... trash.

nawtee_me · Answer

Absolutely, I found a wimen watch the other day that was left behind when she moved out of her apartment. It seems to be worth a couple of hundred dollars.

Still-alive · Answer

Well if anyone tries to throw out their video games that would be my treasure sure lol

OddBeMe · Answer

Depend on what you’re building. I have several patents built from “refuse”.

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

Sometimes, that would be a dumpster divers motto

Anonymous · Answer

Sometimes. Not all the time obviously.

DJB72 · Answer

Often, yes.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Can be.

Ladsin2 · Answer

Sometimes.

Jpie555 · Answer

Sometimes

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