This is a continuation of the previous post, which can be viewed here:
CRV Diary Part 1 mentions a few tactics to help fellow scavengers make their CRV redemption experience easier. In an attempt to maintain simplicity, this post will mention some bad tactics.
Bad Tactics?
1️⃣ The first bad tactic, I want to mention might seem obvious, but sometimes we get wrapped up in the discovery mindset, and forget. I’m not afraid to mention this again.
Never pick up water bottles that contain yellow liquid. It’s probably urine. Furthermore, avoid the liquid inside of water bottles. If you’re going to smash the water bottle and twist the cap back on, make sure it’s pointed away from your face and nostrils.
2️⃣ A comment in one of the previous CRV diaries reminded me of some bad tactics. (Thanks for the comment @nathen007!) Take a look at Nathen‘s third paragraph in the image below.
This redemption endeavor should cost nearly nothing. Driving around should be minimized. Actually, I don’t even do it. I only collect if I’m there for a primary reason. Maybe I’m spoiled, but I don’t want to make collecting a major event. Burning up gasoline negates your overall redemption value.
Let’s pretend gas cost five dollars per gallon. Driving 3 miles it’s up more than half of my average redemption take.
Professional Scavenger?
This guy knows when the apartment’s dumpsters are put out for the trash truck to empty.
I was about to say, maybe he lives there, but look at how much stuff is already in his pickup truck. Looks like a professional scavenger.
I wonder if he works or lives near-by. Something about his tactics must be lucrative. Maybe it’s his one day off and he uses the morning lull to collect as much as he can?
As I was editing the image to cover up his license plate, I noticed the Ford emblem is covered. What’s up with that? Is that somehow related? Does he have a tinted plastic cover on his license plate to hide the numbers from cameras or create glare?
There are some interesting things happening with this guy. That truck looks expensive. The truck probably gets 12 to 18 miles per gallon. Driving that thing around eats up profit potential.
I hope he’s not unemployed, he seems physically healthy. Not everyone can crouch like that. I hope he’s not copping for a sudden financial burden.
Exploiting With Dad?!
3️⃣ A third bad tactic I would consider “bad” is actually an exploit. I thought of this one before, but I stayed true to my ideals, and I have avoided practicing this myself. I even let it escape my regular thinking. I was reminded of this tactic the other day while I was walking. I got stuck behind two guys who happen to be discussing recycling. One of the guys was telling the other guy about his recycling “hack.” I would call it an exploit, but I guess there’s opportunity for a debate, since the entire recycling program is subsidized by the state.
One guy was telling the other guy how he and his dad would leave water inside of the water bottles and other recyclables. I’m sure you can imagine this water quickly adds up to a lot of extra weight. This extra weight gets counted and applied to your overall redemption weights. He is right. It’s easy to leave water inside of smashed water bottles. All you need to do is reseal the water bottle after you smash it. Take your items in on a day when it’s busy and the attendance won’t have time to sift through, everything you bring.
I don’t do this. I actually believe it’s one of those activities that abuses a system that we could all lose. If enough people practice this tactic and get caught, the entire redemption program could very well disappear or fall upon heavier scrutiny. Maybe disappearing is an extreme perception, but I would fear greater restrictions and difficulties placed upon individuals legitimately seeking redemption values.
Also, if you get caught once by the attendance, I’m sure they can remember your face. There are already enough hassles involved and hiding your face and going to a alternative location doesn’t seem like a good idea.
Did I let the cat out of the bag?
“Be cool bro!”
“What a time to be alive.”
Thanks for reading and thanks for supporting this post series.
“This is not financial advice”
“Stay safe and keep it simple.”
Number 3: If Hivewatchers were in charge of recycling!
Since that last post, I've found out this is more common than I knew. Holland also has a subsidised system too.
The UK just gives each householder at least 3 different bins each and a complex timetable of collection for their general waste, garden waste and recyclables with fines! For people who mix up their rubbish or overload the bins.
Recycling and upcycling is so damned important these days as we can't trust governments to take care of the planet.
Wishing you a great weekend :-)
That’s interesting. I wasn’t sure if other countries had similar programs.
I wish up cycling was more favorable/supported.
release that poor cat!
and
NEVER eat YELLOW snow!
He’s out and back from the tooth doctor. Exactly, no such thing as yellow Gatorade.