Unintentionally Dumpster Dived

 This week, I loaded up the accumulated recycling and took it in to the local transfer station for drop off.  This is something I've done every 2-3 months for over 30 years that we've lived in this general area (been recycling longer than that even, but collection was different in the places we lived back then.)  While I was there, I spotted something on the top of the pile that was off to the side in the same container where I was unloading mine.

Let me back up a tad, for reference.  Where I recycle has these gigantic metal shipping containers with 6 foot tall (at least) walls and a roof and several narrow slot window/doors in the sides.  You can only stick your stuff into on open slot, you are not allowed to remove/open doors on closed slots.  So, this particular trip, there were two open slots and one closed one on this recycling collection container. 

I unloaded my (ancient Rubbermaid 32 gallon trash can) recycling bin into the second open slot.  As I was finishining up, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, what looked like a big rectangular Tupperware container, complete with (unbroken) lid.

Well, that grabbed my attention!  I set down my now empty bin, and moved to the other open slot to investigate.  Could it really be Tupperware in usable condition?

It was!  So I unashamedly grabbed it out!  As we established in a previous post, I have a love of Tupperware.  And I can definitely find a use for a modular mate large rectangle container!  In my book, Tupperware containers aren't just for the kitchen.  They're great for the craft room, the gardening shed, the tack room, the feed room, kid's rooms (multiple-part toy storage!). . . The list is practically endless.

Looking further down through that (chest-height) narrow slot door, I spied more Tupperware!  It was like somebody had cleaned out Grandma's (or maybe Mom's) house and was dumping everything 'old' and made of plastic.  Everything I could see was perfectly good, not stained and gross, or cracked or broken.  Just 'old' and no longer wanted.

I confess to standing on my tiptoes, both arms through that slot in the side of the recycling container, and trying to get ahold of all the Tupperware I could reach.   Could I have fit my head and shoulders through for better reach I probably would have. Thank goodness there was no transfer station staff in the vicinity at the moment, because surely leaning into the big metal shipping bin holding recyclables is highly frowned upon.  Let alone taking stuff out of it.

I came home with several 'treasures' to clean up and sanitize.  Had my arms been longer I probably would have 'rescued' more Tupperware from it's unloved status of being thrown out, even if it was done in an environmentally responsible manner.

That rectangular modular mate with lid will most likely end up employed in the barn in some manner.  The round modular mates probably will be put to use in the house somewhere for storing small things. Likewise the short round lidded containers. The lone lid will fit a couple containers I all ready own. 

But that chip and dip/veggie server, that's getting a good wash and a bleach rinse and it's getting used for people food next time we have a big family meal!