What was that?

For years I’ve saved up my returnable (bottles and cans) recycling for a few weeks before putting it out in a separate bag for the binners who (I assumed) were picking it up. I do this in lieu of handing out money on the street, and I feel like they’re doing a legitimate job and they work hard. But I’m not going to do it anymore after what just happened. So I’m walking out to the alley behind my building with my bag of bottles tonight in the dark when I encounter a well-dressed middle aged woman digging into the blue bin, while her companion in a white BMW or Mercedes sat idling waiting for her to collect her haul. I’m just so grossed out by this. Seriously? They need the money so much that they sneak around in the dark in an expensive car digging through blue bins? Wtf? Just gross. So lady, that’s the last time you’re getting a damned thing from me. From now on I’m taking my returnable stuff to the depot myself, and I’ll collect the money and donate it to people who actually need it.

25 Comments

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I want some

Apr 30, 2022 at 1:59am

Of what you're smoking.

Anonymous

Apr 30, 2022 at 2:54am

I confess that I prefer to hand people in need money on the street. If they want to buy ANYTHING well...once the money changes hands its no longer my business.

When so called charitable people think they have some right to automatically tell the poorest struggling types in all society wtf to do is quite frankly beyond me.

I have been homeless and struggled and it's no fun to not know where you are going to be sleeping. Luckily I never was forced to resort to begging.

F*ck anyone who thinks they are entitled to lecture anyone from a position of power. Rant over.

21 5Rating: +16

Anonymous

Apr 30, 2022 at 4:38am

I've heard stories like this before. Collecting cans, and delivering food in a $100.000 luxury car as a side hustle. They're frugal people, but not bright enough to buy a car that doesn't depreciate 60% in five years.

We used to see that type of thing

Apr 30, 2022 at 5:51am

For years in Kerrisdale but it was people pulling up in expensive cars to dump huge glad garbage bags into our bin cause it wasn't locked.
I videoed them doing it and showed it to the Strata,
after that they locked the bin and I would sit out and laugh at the fuckers when the would pull up only to find their free dump was closed.

11 2Rating: +9

Binner

Apr 30, 2022 at 7:40am

It was a decent thing you were doing and obviously it annoyed you when this happened, but don't punish the people who rely on your kindness and compassion. Maybe you can time your moment when to give your donation to a street person, get to know the regulars who pass by, that work hard collecting recyclables instead of bringing it to the depot.

18 5Rating: +13

Anonymous

Apr 30, 2022 at 9:23am

Why is that gross? I would think anybody doing that needed the money regardless of what they look like. If it bothers you so much then by all means donate them. In an old building we used to personally give the recyclables to people in need because our building's inhumane policy didn't want people going into the bins until they stopped that from happening too. What a world, micromanaging who gets recyclables.

Nickel Dime

Apr 30, 2022 at 10:30am

I see a dude every week drive up with an elderly woman to our bins/neighbourhood bins. She gets out and gets what she wants, throws the bag in the back and they drive on. Newish car, I don't think it's being done because the need the money. I suspect it's grandma's way of making some pocket money or feeling like she contributes to the household.

10 4Rating: +6

I guess

Apr 30, 2022 at 10:36am

We just never know who really needs it or not. This couple may have found themselves in a pickle where they are living beyond their means, or suffered a great loss and are screwed.

The "binners" also live way beyond their means by spending an unthinkable amount of money on drugs--honesly probably more than that lavish couples spends on their lifestyle.

I work with our DTES population and have frequent conversations with them regarding spending habits around their drug use. I'd say the average person spends about $400 per day on drugs--some *significantly* more (and I really mean WAY more), some less. That's $12,000 per month only on drugs. Think of how lavishly you could live your life with this much money per month.

They do what they have to do (steal, work undesirable jobs, collect cans) to finance their habit. The couple you saw is maybe doing the same. Why should one deserve the cans more than the other?

Just something to think about. No judgement, friend--just another way of thinking.

Ummm

Apr 30, 2022 at 11:02am

Sure.

10 5Rating: +5

You're making assumptions.

Apr 30, 2022 at 11:43am

Luxury cars and wealth don't necessarily go hand in hand. The car could be leased or bought used. The woman might have grown up in poverty and is determined to never go back to poverty, so she scrimps and saves and is insanely frugal. You don't know people's stories or struggles. So stop assuming, stop judging and keep it moving.

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