Between vintage decor and eco-responsible gesture, recovering objects in the streets allows you to refurnish without breaking the bank and with a clear conscience! Before you start, follow the guide!
A few years ago, one of my interns, who had just returned from New York, told me how, penniless, she had completely decorated her apartment by salvaging furniture (sofa, table, bed, etc.) from the street. I found this idea very strange, but she reassured me by telling me that it was very common in the United States. I probably kept this information in the back of my mind, because since then, I look at the bulky items left on the street in a different way.
Open your eyes
At the turn of a street, on foot or in a car, you can come across a little treasure abandoned by its owner at any time. The reason? A change of decor, a move, a sorting. Imagine... the city of Paris collects nearly 90,000 tons of bulky objects each year. According to the newspaper Le Monde: 43,000 sofas, 930 stoves, 4,600 dishwashers. Not to mention the mountains of small objects (all kinds of dishes, books, cushions, plants, etc.). Getting into recycling doesn't mean going through the trash, it's just keeping an eye out for objects left on the sidewalks that can still be used.
Watch for bulky items
The first thing to do is to find out when bulky items are collected. In some cities, the date is fixed (last Thursday of the month, every Monday, etc.) in other large cities (Paris, Lyon, Marseille) it is a case-by-case service. The individual makes an appointment and drops off their item in front of their house accordingly. When the day is fixed, all you have to do is walk around the streets the night before. In the other case, it is a matter of luck. Be aware that some streets are more "giving" than others. Indeed, some residents, who probably have to sort regularly, properly make items available in bags for those interested. Once you have found a "spot", all you have to do is walk past it a little more often than usual. Also know that there are days that are more conducive to recycling: Sunday and Monday after sorting out the weekend, the end of the month, the months of moving (from May to September) and the month of January after the flood of gifts.
Be creative
There are many tutorials on YouTube on "how to transform a piece of furniture" or "what to do with a wooden pallet". If you are not very handy, you can simply recover an object in excellent condition (this happens very often). Another possibility: give a new life to an object. For example, a high chair as a plant holder.
Avoid certain objects
Of course, there is no question of recovering everything and transforming your home into a junk shop. The easiest thing is to let yourself be tempted by an object that could be useful in your home. If in doubt, move on. Before taking the objects, check their condition and detect the presence of small bites on the furniture, signs of pests. To avoid bringing bedbugs home, avoid mattresses or box springs!
Clean up the little treasures
Once home, clean the objects well with a sponge and dedicated equipment. Also use a fumigation stick (sage, Palo santo) to remove all accumulated energies and make a clean space.
Follow the right accounts
On Instagram, many private accounts are entirely dedicated to recycling in the city. You will be amazed by everything that is found and recovered in the streets. How to fully equip a house without ever buying anything with the account @ tombes_du_ciel or @ la_recyclerie_des_merveilles or @ lrecycle_la_rue or @ merci_la_rue_ . What do these accounts have in common? Giving new life to discarded objects in order to limit waste and avoid the vicious cycle of consumer society (I buy, I throw away, I replace). Other inspiring accounts @ consommons.sainement @ defi_riendeneuf which share recycling tutorials and give tips for consuming better.
Equip yourself
If you are on foot, always take with you a small foldable bag, gloves (to inspect furniture and other objects) and keep your eyes open... tons of treasures await you!
Read more: La récup'facile by Aline Gubri (Éditions Leduc, €14.90).
