Freegans?

I just skimmed through that Freegan website. Basically they are advocating illegal practices.

Squatting is illegal - if you don't own the land or have a right to be on the land (including being unsafe in vacant buildings) then you shouldn't be there. I think probably a public area would be probably ok but not private property.

Dumpster diving - is also illegal. In a day and age of identity theft in most places it's illegal to go through someone's trash, expecially that of a business. In all actuallity picking up broken laundry baskets out to the curb on trash day is also illegal but not nearly the same as if somone ripped open the bags and started sifting through it, same with dumpster diving.

Unemployment - they think they have a right to housing and food but do nothing to contribute for it. Even back in the very old days of little house on the prarie type living, work is how you made your living whether it was paid directly in food from your field, or logs for your home or working in a blacksmith shop for money that would buy your necessities. If they are so concerned about their freedom why are they whining because they don't have food or housing, they made their choice vouluntarily. They could always do a barter system where they do gardening or whatnot in exchange for food or housing.

Hitchhiking - if they are so concerned with polution and fossil fuels why not just find some old bike on the curb, fix it up and peddle with your own two legs? Why rely on someone else using fossil fuels by hitchhiking when it still causes pollution? Besides in this day and age it's not safe for either the hitchhikers or the person who picks them up.

Besides they not only have a website and internet access, but because there's pix they must have a digital camera too. Doesn't sound like they are shunning society to me. I can't imagine having to dive in a dumpster for food but having a digital camera. Kinda reminds me of those that whine they are poor, no food, can't pay bills, want everything for nothing, but still have their cable, internet and cell phones. Uh excuse me? Anyone think maybe messed up priorities?

Sorry if my attitude offends anyone but I won't appologize for my viewpoint. If a person has something bad happen to them that forces them into a situation where they have to live like that, or a child is born into a situation like that it's different, they did not make a concious choice to live that way and most would gladly trade that lifestyle to have a job and pay for a home and food. I don't mind helping out people like that. If they make a choice to live like that on purpose don't expect me to feel sorry for them when they whine.

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Originally Posted by Catlady711

I just skimmed through that Freegan website. Basically they are advocating illegal practices.

Squatting is illegal - if you don't own the land or have a right to be on the land (including being unsafe in vacant buildings) then you shouldn't be there. I think probably a public area would be probably ok but not private property.

Dumpster diving - is also illegal. In a day and age of identity theft in most places it's illegal to go through someone's trash, expecially that of a business. In all actuallity picking up broken laundry baskets out to the curb on trash day is also illegal but not nearly the same as if somone ripped open the bags and started sifting through it, same with dumpster diving.

Unemployment - they think they have a right to housing and food but do nothing to contribute for it. Even back in the very old days of little house on the prarie type living, work is how you made your living whether it was paid directly in food from your field, or logs for your home or working in a blacksmith shop for money that would buy your necessities. If they are so concerned about their freedom why are they whining because they don't have food or housing, they made their choice vouluntarily. They could always do a barter system where they do gardening or whatnot in exchange for food or housing.

Hitchhiking - if they are so concerned with polution and fossil fuels why not just find some old bike on the curb, fix it up and peddle with your own two legs? Why rely on someone else using fossil fuels by hitchhiking when it still causes pollution? Besides in this day and age it's not safe for either the hitchhikers or the person who picks them up.

Besides they not only have a website and internet access, but because there's pix they must have a digital camera too. Doesn't sound like they are shunning society to me. I can't imagine having to dive in a dumpster for food but having a digital camera. Kinda reminds me of those that whine they are poor, no food, can't pay bills, want everything for nothing, but still have their cable, internet and cell phones. Uh excuse me? Anyone think maybe messed up priorities?

Sorry if my attitude offends anyone but I won't appologize for my viewpoint. If a person has something bad happen to them that forces them into a situation where they have to live like that, or a child is born into a situation like that it's different, they did not make a concious choice to live that way and most would gladly trade that lifestyle to have a job and pay for a home and food. I don't mind helping out people like that. If they make a choice to live like that on purpose don't expect me to feel sorry for them when they whine.

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Amen! Preach it sister! I'm with you 100%!

I seen something about that aprox. two years ago.

Who had it this time?

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

Did anyone see the news clip about the people in New York that call themselves 'FREEGANS'?


The pick up stuff that stores and markets put out to be picked up on trash day.
It was interesting.

Some people were interviewed and stated that they got most of their food from the PILES of food left on the sidewalks.

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Sad thing is that in a lot of places it is completely illegal to do any form of dumpster diving or curb surfing.

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Originally Posted by moosmom

Freedom,

It's a shame the food isn't donated. When BB&B takes back goods (alot of people return stuff cuz they just aren't satisfied with it). If it's used, we "damage it out" and bring it back to receiving where they'll mark it up with bright pink spray paint so no one pilfering through the trash will try to return it for a store credit (if they don't have the receipt they don't get cash back). You'd be surprized how often it happens. They do donate alot of comforters, gently used pillows, blankets to homeless shelters.

Freegans are here too. They also go around at trash night picking up furniture, stuff that people no longer want, but they still work.

It's just a shame about the food.

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Last time i knew, all FreeCycle Groups have to be hosted on Yahoo Groups.

Due to a lot of disagreements between the main site and some of the groups, some have broke off and become "Recycle" or "Freestuff" groups.

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Originally Posted by AmberLee

I recently become aware of FreeCycling, where people post online of items they no longer wish to own, or request items they'd like to own ...

I wonder if any of the Freegans are also members of FreeCycle?

FreeCycle.com is run through Yahoo groups here in northern Calif, although it may have a stand-alone site in other places...

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I agree with the majority of what CatLady711 said.

Maybe it comes from working hard all my life, but my basic philosophy is, if you are capable of working you'd better be doing so. And if you choose not to, then starve of your own freewill, but do so quietly, please. And don't expect someone to coddle you.

I do, however, think the amount of waste in this country is a terrible, crying shame. I NEVER throw anything away that is not hopelessly ruined. I donate everything that is possibly useful to a charity. There is always someone, somewhere that wants it.

Our local Humane Socity does a city clean up day once a year, where we basically go pick up stuff for people and haul it away. They donate to the Humane Society for payment. And you would not BELIEVE what people throw away. I would say we actually end up keeping about 75% of the stuff people tell us is garbage, and needs to go to the landfill. We sell it for another fundraiser, our annual yard sale. People throw away brand new clothes, perfectly good furniture and household goods, and the thing that makes me very sad, soooo many books. :(

I think the materialistic, throw-away society we live in is pathetic. We are filling our landfills with perfectly good items, and polluting and destroying natural resources to make more of pretty much the same items. Sad.

I have never heard of these folks before. I am going to do some more research on them (when I am not at work! :eek: ). Sounds like a strange lifestyle to me.

I have heard of a family in our area that, due to downsizing, both parents are out of work. Instead of going on food stamps, foreclosing on their house, etc., stated their own business. They "recycle" folks old appliances, computers, etc. They do everything environmentally safe with what they can and then sell what they can for scrap. Apparently, they are making quite a living by hauling away other folks "trash"!!! ;) I am impressed with their engenuity and desire to help the environment.