Eight Etiquette Rules for Trash Treasure Hunting: Though free and kicked to the curb, there's still proper protocol

Even trash treasure hunting requires good manners:  BTS provides the top eight!

 

Sorting through curbside trash can bring treasures, but don't forget your manners!

We've been recent recipients of gifts found on the curb:  earlier this year Royal Tara fine china and just this month an Emily Post's Etiquette book, 16th edition. While we weren't the shoppers, we were thrilled with the items as well as their price - or more accurately the lack of. Everything was free.

As we noted in this month's post , Where do you find your treasures. . .?, bargains can be found at the end of driveways after a non-depleting garage sale. That's not uncommon in suburban neighborhoods, but what about big cities? 

Turns out, the same principle applies, though the geography shifts. In New York City, boxes of “take me” items appear not only on curbs but on stoops as well. A familiar sight on many brownstone steps, these boxes offer an assortment of merchandise for the taking. During their daily walks, our favorite NYC couple, Matt and Jenna, often browse their neighborhood’s porch and curbside offerings. On one such jaunt, they found my etiquette tome.

While enjoying these freebies, we wondered: is there a proper protocol for curb shopping? It turns out there is — though Emily Post hasn’t covered it… yet.

Most of the etiquette for trash-treasure hunting — also known as “scrounging,” “curb-alerting,” or “freecycling” — comes from online community forums. The basic rules boil down to respect for property and safety. We sifted through comments like a seasoned scrounger digging through a freshly released stoop box and distilled the best good-manners guidance.

Top eight guidelines for the well-mannered scrounger.

1. Only take items on curb or stoop. Don't walk up to the house. Merch inside is off-limits, so no chance on getting the dining room chandelier.

2. Clean up rule. If you sort through a pile, restack items when you're done rooting. Keep the display as enticing as you found it.

3. Go one better! Be a good citizen and enhance #2., leaving the "store" neater than you found it. If the box has broken apart, even if you didn't break it, try to restore order as much as possible. 

4. Don't return items. This is "take -and keep - as is".  If you later decide you don't want what you "bought", keep in mind, curbside retail has no return policy. Consider setting up your own stoop box shop.

5. Signage. If there's a sign that says "FREE",  you're good to go. If there is no sign, but item or box is on the curb, that's a pretty safe bet it's okay to take. 

6. Don't confuse actual garbage with freescycling. If there are garbage bags wrapped up and, on the curb, assume it's true trash. Don't open the bags and dig through - it's unsanitary and dangerous. (But, really, does one need formal instructions to avoid such behavior?) 

7. Be fast, be quiet. Loitering and shouting are frowned upon unless you just found some fine china or an Emily Post Etiquette book. A modest "yahoo!" is acceptable.

8. Don't add items. Someone's curbside box is not a consignment shop. If you want to donate some of your things, get your own stoop container or give to Goodwill. They'd appreciate the drop off. 

For those who wish to partake in a trash treasure hunting, we wish you luck. No need for to bring a wallet, just, as always, your impeccable curbside manners.  😀💰