Fix it or Toss It? Of Freegans and Hoarders

A&E has a show called Hoarders. They are the people who have massive amounts of stuff and never throw anything out. I don’t think I’m a hoarder. I just can’t see throwing out things that have intrinsic value, and will take up valuable space in landfills. I try to donate stuff to charity when I’m done with it. But they won’t take just anything, and it can be an effort to donate. For example, I found a ten year old computer scanner in my office closet, and brought it to The Salvation Army. I hadn’t taken the time to search my stuff for the software disk that came with the scanner, or the cords needed to run the thing, so the Salvation Army rejected the item. “It’s worthless without the software and cords,” said the volunteer at the dock. Worthless? It must have some value to somebody, I thought. Isn’t there a computer chip or other stuff of value in there somewhere? Can’t it be retro-fitted to be an up-to-date scanner?