Flattened Cans

Two bread bags full of flattened soda and beer cans ready to go to the recycle shop. Bags from full 800 gram loafs, the cans make a bit over 600 each. Which, at €2,30 per kilo will pay me €2,80 or close to that. All collected in about six weeks, just picking them up from street litter while being on the way to or from work or groceries.

Deposit cans unfortunately loose their value when flattened by cars or by being trampled by feet. Though I think that's unfair I'm happy to get at least some money. It may not be much but if you think this is really considered trash by most people (even the homeless deposit collectors leave them) and the little effort it takes it's worth it. And on top some cans are non deposit anyway because from abroad or sold in multi packs so the producers can avoid the rules of charging it.

I do the same with plastic packaging an non deposit bottles, but there we talk about different volumes and prices and I'll dedicate another post to that.

Curb Tomatoes

There is a shop at about ten minutes cycling from my home, still in the old parts of Amsterdam, that I visit every two or three weeks or sometimes more often. So it's funny that at a few doors down, all summer I didn't notice the tomato plants in the tree's bed. Only early this month, actually scouring for tradeable trash I saw the red fruits shining. And obviously they didn't grow there from fallen seeds, as the plants are carefully bound up. How cool! It made me wonder if the gardener did this for the passer by or for his or her own consumption? In lack of a balcony or garden? Anyway as I was in a hurry I just took off. But when I came back a week later all the ripe ones were still there so I took the liberty to take two hands full. Small but tasty enough in my salad and omelette.

And on top there are two varieties. These here on the bottom are kind of mini beef tomatoes.

My own tomatoes are bigger, but still green in my shadowy garden. Curious to see what is left in that street coming week or later. If people leave them it may just be an idea for next year to plant some near my house where there is more light.

Another Laundry Basket

Found somewhere 2024 in front of the door. Looking brand new. Brand sticker Allibert was still on but in the end washed off by the rain. Waited in in my backyard until May this year for finally getting photographed and the necessary clean-up needed in the meantime to list it. Offered cheap it still took a second relisting before today it was finally picked up at almost half price from what I asked. It doesn't matter. € 2,50 cash in my pocket and it's gone and rescued! I would have gladly given it to the thrift shop but clumsy to transport on my bicycle even though a short trip. It was the second succesful sale of this product after this one.

Zara And Bershka

I've been 'away' for a while. Big financial worries needing all my time to survive. But we managed, thanks to bottle and can deposit and trash recycling compensation. In the meantime book sales went up and finally two pairs of shoes that I didn't want to sell at kilo price in the first place sold both at once.

Zara.

Bershka.

Both pairs found after going for I don't remember what March this year. But first I was stopped in my tracks by bags full of texttiles by the bin for that at the end of my street. But cut up by rummagers so I had to pack over in my own smaller bags and make several rounds. Finally done I went for real but took another side road and found even more clothing plus these two pairs.

All the textiles sorted out I kept a few things for me and the Man and sold the rest at kilo price. But the shoes, though cheap were popular brands so I decided to give them a chance on line. But being sort of winter shoes first listing period without succes. Gave it another try relisting but was about to give up when to my surprise both went last Sunday. And not to the same buyer. Profit €3 the pair, not much but a lot better than kilo price and for the effort okay enough.