Who would have guessed that Paris is a city full of fodder for satisfying dumpster diving? Shocking isn't it! People throw out some amazing stuff. Maybe it is because the majority live in spaces much smaller than the average American and if something doesn't fit, well it just doesn't. Out to the street it goes. Or maybe it is on account of the fantastic garbage collection system here. Yes, I mean that. Garbage is collected almost every day and the garbage men, hold on to your seat for this one........ actually get out of their truck to collect the trash! Yup, they pick it up and put it in the truck, even if it is not tied, bundled or otherwise stowed in a city ordinance approved fashion. So, this is to say that residents of this city have the freedom to put out for pick up pretty much what they like.
Not that the really good stuff ever sees the inside of the garbage trucks.
The first thing I dared to pick up was after living here a couple months. I started small....... I came across a nice wooden box with rope handles thrown on the sidewalk. Wow, perfect for shoes by the door or magazines. I looked all around me to make sure no one was looking and then quickly snapped it up and walked REALLY fast away from the scene. Not because I was doing anything wrong, but because I was embarrassed and felt quite inelegant swiping trash.
Well I am over that now. Since that beginning I have come across a bookshelf (Jane says thanks for that one), a really cute little curved end table, perfectly good folding chairs from IKEA, a great bamboo rug - I should really be embarrassed. But hey, better to "recycle" this way then just let this stuff go to the landfill and go buy something new instead. Right?
My best find so far happened last weekend. Walking not far from the apartment, I came across a big pile of what looked like left over odds and ends from someone's move. Nestled among all sorts of junk and trash bags was an authentic kitchen table from the era of my mom's childhood. Worn linoleum top, chrome trim and tips on the legs. It was sturdy, it was perfect for my kitchen. All that was left was convincing my daughter to come back with me to haul it away. She was a good sport, she took one end and I took the other and we marched back home, laughing and bumping our shins on its legs. Of course it wouldn't fit in the elevator so I got my exercise for the day by hauling it up the 5 flights of stairs to our apartment. Daughter #1's role of trash hauling accomplice did not include "doing stairs".
It was worth it. After a good scrub, it fits in perfectly. A friend even suggested I leave its paint job as is - the worn and chipped look adds to its charm.
I really am a Paris resident now - I NEVER would have imagined in my lifetime the opportunity to furnish my Parisian apartment with authentic Parisian cast-offs. Don't ask me why but I get a kick out of this thought. 
Cool! I am about to go dumpster diving in Paris tomorrow morning because I did notice some amazing things out by the trash during garbage pick-up time. I hopped online to see if anyone else was keen on this sport in Paris and they are few, but I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Posted by: Mindy Gledhill | June 17, 2010 at 01:55 AM
Tell me what you find! I cant believe the stuff that is thrown on the sidewalk - whole bookcases, kitchen cabinets, pot and pans.........the French need Craigs List lessons.
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Posted by: mary c | June 17, 2010 at 07:19 PM