How much do you know about the Informal Recycling Program? In Central Denver we have a sort of informal way we recycle used household goods.  We dump things in our alleys and the recycling scavengers take them away.
My formal acknowledgement of our underground, recycling black market will no doubt be eschewed by the City and County of Denver.  Although we have a formal recycling program that finally included Plastic 4 and 5 this year, the idea of dumping your unwanted goods in the alley will probably be looked on as littering.
Here is a list of the things we’ve shed over the years:

• A wrought iron and oak park bench (disappeared in less than an hour)
• Toys & basketballs
• A desk
• A filing cabinet
• Gardening tools
• Dishes
• An old floor lamp
• A boom box and a computer monitor

We’ve also found and claimed a mini trampoline and a near new bread maker!  How can you go wrong?  Even the things that don’t work are claimed for their parts.
You’ll never look at dumpster divers the same way when you participate in Denver’s Informal Recycling Program.  They’re helping keep perfectly useful goods out of the landfills.
Just remember to keep your garage door closed.  You don’t want anyone to think your cool Gary Fisher bicycle is up for grabs.
Post Script: Since this post was written, Denver has gotten sticky about this informal recycling business.  They also plan to remove all dumpsters over the next few years.  The good news is that a wonderful curbside composting system has started up in select neighborhoods, and will be rolling out to everyone soon.
Are you in the market for a house with an alley?  Search for your next place at Gretchen Rosenberg’s Denver area real estate web site:  www.GretchenRosenberg.com.