Have you ever “salvaged” something abandoned by somebody else, and felt like you found some kind of treasure? If so, then you will love the spirit of this website. GarbageScout.com is a Googlemaps mashup in New York City that works like this:
If you see something cool in NYC being thrown away
- Take a picture of it
- Send a text message with the picture, title, and location to the website (i.e. old TV@7th and broadway)
The rest is history. The website will update with little garbage can icons all over the map of New York. The most recent ones have flames coming out of them to indicate that they are “hot” - not that they are warming homeless people.
This is a healthy outlet for that part of you that - even though you don’t need it - really wants to take home that old computer monitor you see on the street. By submitting it to the GarbageScout - you will effectively have “given” it to someone who wants it without having to actually do anything yourself.
February 12th, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Someone took a picture of my house, and now four bums have claimed my living room!
What happens if someone takes a picture of someone’s actual stuff and then it disappears… will the website be responsible?
February 12th, 2006 at 9:54 pm
If someone leaves their actual stuff on the side of the street unattended in New York City, I think that they are expecting it to disappear.
February 14th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
I agree with Ryan with this one. haha.
Anyways, I thought that was a cool website. Thanks Ryan.
February 15th, 2006 at 11:18 am
Not nearly as cool (because there is no map) is a similar website for people who want to get rid of stuff in the Minneapolis area. (http://www.twincitiesfreemarket.org). You can search for specific things, and be notified when someone is getting rid of one. I have to say, it’s a heck of a lot easier to put something at the end of your driveway and hope it will be taken, than to lug it over to GoodWill.