A tale of stupid regulations and 10 dollar computers.

Yesterday in the search for a window for my sisters art project. I found a half decent computer for 10 dollars. Although I didn’t get the power cable as by law she couldn’t sell it to me with a power cable. Although I could have in theory brought the cable as long as I didn’t intent to plug the computer in with it. (That is in theory, my theory)
Our quest started in Albury, when we went a junk/useful stuff yard, owned by Albury Demolitions or something like that. We had a look around they had plenty of Windows although mostly more modern ones. They suggested we visited someone in Wodonga in the same business and might have what we were looking for. After that we did a bit of shopping and went to Albury tip, to see if they had an area, where useful stuff could be picked up/brought. Nope no chance not only did they seem to have any initiative in place to reuse. They had a big sign saying it’s illegal to take anything from this tip. Imaging that been fined $250 or more just because you took something from a tip xD. Makes me miss tumbur tip. There was virtual no rules and no one around to enforce it. (It’s been closed and replaced by a transfer station)
So after been told at the gate it was pointless. We left and drove to Wodonga. After a bit of searching we found the other yard, we had been told about. It did happen to have a better range of windows to and we found one that was well suited for what my sister needed. He also told us about how he can’t legal let us wonder around his yard alone. The laws are so strict that he must accompany us all the time. The only way around this is if he put everything in cages. That are sealed in on every side and locked. That isn’t practical for a small business. Some of our rules are starting to go too far and all this fear of people suing you. He also told us about why he doesn’t like Albury tip. As they allow building demolition teams (and similar) to dump loads of anything in there removing any incentive to pull the building down and salvage parts. So much is wasted because they are not forced to take it apart and use most of it. People can dump truck loads of useful stuff into a hole in the ground and I can be fined for picking up a bag off the ground that blew out of there “landfill” When we were done he told us we should go check out the recycling depot shop, though as we might enjoy it.
So off we went to the recycling depot shop. It wasn’t too hard to find, it was well signposted. The main recycling depot was there where all Wodonga's and I’m guessing surrounding councils recycling is delivered and sorted. Off to the side was there shop. This is all privately run now. Anyway we pulled up and went into the shop, that is a large shed full of all kinds of useful stuff :D. Their books, furniture, videos, bikes, TV’s and lots more. It was a good collection and the best bit was it was all so cheap. I brought a cheap wooden table that I guess would normally be $50+ I got it for $15. This is also where the 10 dollar computer came in. This was something I found out the back, in a area of the shed that was officially not for sale. It wasn’t exactly obvious. They had stuck a few of red plastic polls in the way, I just thought they were for sale 2 xD. Anyway there it was a fairly new looking PC sitting there so I went and asked how much I could have it for, 10 dollars but they can’t sell it to me with the power cable. As it hadn’t been tested by a licensed election they can’t legal sell electronic goods with the power cable intact. So they have to cut them off. In this case she just pulled it out. I also found some speakers for 5 dollars.
I liked this shop so much cheap, quite nice stuff. I think it’s a great idea. After all if all this stuff goes into landfill it’s just wasted. I think this kind of thing should not only be made easier but compulsory. Pass laws about dumping stuff in the tip that forces people to sort it out. Even if it’s only to dump all the glass in one bin all the metal in another and so on. So at least it gets recycled. But I think this kind of idea is great after all we are entering into a major recession and people aren’t going to have a lot of spare cash. This way they can buy unwanted junk without paying much at all. I’m all for giving it to charity’s although in some cases they get offered to much stuff. I don’t think they would really see this as completion after all. I’ve seen plenty of perfectly good stuff go to waste so I like this idea/place a lot.
Remember everyone Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Also anyone living in this area if you need directions I can find it on Google maps for you :).