To hate people leaving stuff on their front walls?

[blessedbethe]

It’s a prolific problem where I live in an urban area in Bristol. People seem to leave stuff they no longer want on their front wall - sometimes people take it, sometimes it’s genuinely rubbish and they’re waiting for someone else to pay to get it taken away! Can range from shoes and clothes to household appliances and it happens all year round, and things get left out that have been in rain/snow etc.

Walking DS back from school I saw a toaster, 2 used (I’m assuming) gas canisters, various pairs of shoes and ladies clothing, kids snowsuit, metal water bottle. One house near us has had a toddler bed dismantled and propped up against their front wall for 3 weeks now, which has not been taken by anyone and is now warped and unusable. Makes me angry as a charity could have used that for a child in need and now it’s too warped/misshapen from the wet to be used! I just think people should take responsibility of disposing of or donating their stuff!

YABU - let people do it, someone will always want something that’s put out.
YANBU - it’s lazy and irresponsible and people should get rid of their stuff responsibly!

Yanbu!

Where I live, people leave it out in the rain and so it becomes unusable and just filthy rubbish. It is fly-tipping by any other name.

I don't mind if people put their things out on a fine weather day and bring them in again if they don't get taken. Anything else is trashy, imo.

I'm urban Bristol too. I think it's brilliant - I've picked up so many useful things - DS got some unworn sandals, books, toys etc. Bizarrely, I got some printer ink recently. They must have bought the wrong kind, but couldn't return it as open. It was about £50 worth! I've got rid of so much stuff too. It all generally goes quickly. I always take in what's left in the evening and only do it if the forecasts good. There's nothing sadder than rained on stuff.

I do think though the OPs example of a bed that's been left out for weeks, is where it tips over into fly tipping and an eyesore.

I had three eating apple trees and would leave boxes of apples on the wall with the message, 'Please help yourself'. I did wonder if people would be sceptical, but the apples were so lovely and I'd far rather others benefitted than have them lying on the grass. Although the foxes, squirrels and birds definately benefitted as well.

Love it where I live in South London. I've found some great stuff. Usually it's removed after a few days, or gets snapped up. It would be so depressing to live in an area where no one has thought of this way to share stuff.

I'd "accidentally" throw it back over their garden wall.

I’ve never seen this done but it sounds a good idea.
One of the problems with charity shops is they are often very picky about what they take.

Where I used to live in South Bristol you had to be careful not to leave something you want outside your house for too long because people will assume it's for the taking. Eg something you are putting in your car to take somewhere.

During covid front garden recycling was absolutely nuts. Everyone having a clear out but no charity shops open. Every day there were books, toys, household items, surplus food on people's front walls.

Also urban Bristol here. I think it's great for some things (clothes, shoes, toys, books, kitchen stuff, portable furniture - ie smallish things that can be easily binned if they don't go or get rained on!) so long as they're OK condition.

Bigger stuff like sofas etc I would personally put on FB for free (the Bristol Mutual Aid group is good) and specify collection only. Although having said that I did get a replacement oven (literally the day after mine broke!) for my last house after enlisting the help of a couple of friends to carry it!

I do agree it's shit when people are basically dumping their crappy old stuff and expecting someone else to deal with it (I already live in a pretty...ahem...'up and coming' area which is pretty scruffy as it is so having piles of soggy, broken old crap everywhere makes it look even more so!).

Also they can be quite pricey - when something's free people get less fussy

Yes that’s a good point.

I’m afraid I do this! But I don’t leave it out in the rain and I take it back inside in the evening if it hasn’t gone.
Larger items go on the road WhatsApp group.
I think the idea of having one day a month where everyone puts out their unwanted items is great! I wish we did that here.

I’ve had some great stuff this way too - picture frame, plants and plant pots, new walking boots, saucepan lids that perfectly fitted my saucepans, lots of books. I love a good street find 🙂

The other thing that is popular in my area is mini libraries - people build a waterproof covered bookshelf in their front garden for people to help themselves.

However I agree I hate seeing stuff left out for weeks going soggy and mouldy.

I used to do this in London and loved it! Was “responsible” with it though so took it in overnight / didn’t put rubbish out etc. my DM always found it rather bemusing but was a great way to recycle :)

Not done here except for apples and plums etc from people's trees

Done here well. Put out for a day or two then taken or given to charity/tip.
People alzo do a big free garden of stuff on Facebook and people come and pick it up

I like it and have found a few gems. Two genuine leather chairs once!
I've done it too a few times but only with good stuff and I don't leave it out overnight to get ruined but it's usually gone by the time I go back to bring it in as it's good quality stuff.
However, I agree with you OP that people do leave tat out for weeks and it's so unsightly and they should throw it away.
One house always leaves broken, dirty stuff out- as if anyone is going to want that!

I live in Bristol too and get rid of loads of stuff this way. I take it in again at night or if it's going to rain etc. It's a very easy way of recycling.

I think its rather enterprising

I have left things out (books mainly), advertised this on Nextdoor and local FB group and the lot have usually gone very quickly.

Where this is commonplace, has anyone ever left something out in error, or well within the boundary of the house, only to find it’s been taken, I wonder?

I agree with you and would be really annoyed to see “rubbish” left outside. Having said that, DH has occasionally left couple of bits (never shoes or clothes as they get donated to charity) that gets taken straight away by neighbours. If something doesn’t go within a day or two, we get rid of it. We are too house proud to have “rubbish” left outside for days or weeks!

I've never seen it where I live. However, I do do it! (so maybe I'm bringing down the area!)

I tend to only put big things out - like a desk or table or pallets. I put something out just today actually! We live on a main road and whatever I put out is usually gone within 15 minutes! It's quite amazing really!!

We've had people take stuff from a skip in our drive. I was quite pleased as it was being thrown out anyway, and made more room in the skip! I've never had anyone take something that wasn't rubbish.

I've got a system for getting rid:

• Clothes/toys in good condition - first refusal to friends and family with younger kids
• £20+ value or niche so unlikely to find owner via charity shop - sell it e.g Vinted / eBay / specialist FB group
• Didn't sell / less than £20 value and in good nick = charity shop
• Not in good nick but someone will still want it = offer locally for free on FB/Whatsapp
• Should probably go in bin, but someone might want it = wall
• If it's still on wall after a couple of days = bin

Wall stuff nearly always gets taken and I'm so happy it's been saved from landfill.

My neighbour does this and it just makes the street look scruffy. We have a recycling centre 5 min walk on our road! It has a big box where you can donate items that are still usable. But they insist on leaving stuff out and it doesn't get taken. They left a toy out one day it didn't go and a few weeks later walking to train station and the toy had been left next to a public bin...yet they couldn't walk in the opposite direction to the recycling centre 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

They are moving out soon can't wait

Round here there's a decent trade from front walls/fences. I've picked up a table, welly boots and books over the years but have also put out picture frames, seasonal clothing, books, gardening tools, plant pots, camping equipment, bookcases and various other bits and pieces. I usually put up a sign saying 'please take' but I bring any remaining items indoors before dark. We live on a road with lots of passing traffic (on foot as well as vehicles) so most things are taken pretty quickly. I've introduced my parents to this concept too, posting on their local FB group about a whole load of kitchen utensils, wood offcuts and saucepans. Although it's not done to the same extent as round here, everything was gone within the hour.

Just remembered, my sister put her spare strawberry plants out and the next day got a handmade card through her door from a family who took a couple to say thank you! This was this summer.

Yes some people just dump crap but most people dont!