For example, I saved a bunch of these small cardboard sheets that were separating the rows of cans in a box of cat food.

Add some glue and you have a little tent for your cat.

          • Sabata11792@kbin.social
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            9 months ago

            I used a few for my windows. Actual glass windows. They work as a stopper by wedging them in the track since they tend to slide on their own otherwise.

        • glimse@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          I saved literally every single RAM stick I’ve ever used (and more) minus two I gave to a friend. They’re in a big ziplock bag tucked into the corner of a box of misc PCI cards.

          I will almost definitely never have a reason to install RAM from the 90s…but they’re there just in case…

      • Altima NEO@lemmy.zip
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        9 months ago

        Actually people use those for retro gaming, even in the US where scart wasn’t a thing.

        • smeg@feddit.uk
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          9 months ago

          I own even more scart cables than old consoles (and all the consoles just use phono-scart adapters), that’s OK right? Right!?

    • Altima NEO@lemmy.zip
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      9 months ago

      I might have a need for all these ide cables at some point! Or a USB cable for a mid 2000s Motorola phone.

    • garbagebagel@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Oh my god I got rid of like 5 cables like four fucking years ago and now EVERY SINGLE TIME we’re missing a cable in the house it’s “ah you threw all those cables out!”

  • snooggums@midwest.social
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    9 months ago

    Those examples are not garbage, they are clean materials that can be repurposed. It is the second step in Reduce > Reuse > Recycle!

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    9 months ago

    For years I’ve desoldered components from electronics that are destined for recycling/trash. I haven’t needed them more than a few times but it’s redeeming when I need a specific thing I’ve never needed before and can pick one out of my component box rather than buying a pack of 100 and never use 99 of them.

    Tiny momentary SPST switches are definitely the most common thing I use from the bin but I’ve also reused some LEDs, capacitors, and resistors.

    • RattlerSix@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      As someone who just finished a small electronic project where I couldn’t find the perfect switches to save my life, I’ve sworn to save every switch I run across from now on

    • ExtraMedicated@lemmy.worldOP
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      8 months ago

      I used to do that too when I was still in school. Now I have a box of old capacitors and transistors with the wires broken off.

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    8 months ago

    My “weirdest” would be used face masks. The little metal bit for the bridge of your nose works for tidying up cords like a twist tie. The ear loops work good for zipper pulls and tying up items that need held together. The mask itself works great for checking my car’s oil, dusting the car dash, cleaning up a minor spill, etc. Is it gross I do this? Perhaps. Has it served me well? Definitely.

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    9 months ago

    Unless it’s literal trash I’m saving it. I’m quite DIY minded person so I often also use those things for my projects.

  • Damage@slrpnk.net
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    9 months ago

    Fucking everything, to the point it’s a problem. I replaced my windscreen wipers the other day, when I broke them to fit them in the trash can, I kept the thin metal strip that is inside and acts like a spring. I don’t know if it’s spring steel, but it sure is spring-y and you never know when they may come in handy.

    I’ve got a box of boxes, all different sizes, cause you never know!, as well a bag of ziplock bags, there’s got to be like 400 of them.

      • Cocodapuf@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        It’s true, a good source of spring steel, which is exactly what you need to make custom lockpicks.

        Another common source for good lockpicking spring steel is the discarded bristles from one of those street swiping vehicles. You can often find them along the curb after they drive by.

    • ExtraMedicated@lemmy.worldOP
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      8 months ago

      That’s cool. I used to have a homemade furnace that I used to melt aluminum. But the crucible sprung a leak and the metal reached the blower and I just kinda lost interest before I could get a replacement.

  • southsamurai@sh.itjust.works
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    8 months ago

    Depends on what you mean by garbage. Something that would decompose or otherwise cause a problem is a hell no. Cardboard is one of those exceptions simply because it’s easy to store it in a way that prevents problems occuring, and it’s trivial to recycle the older pieces as you obtain newer. Mind you, I just keep unfolded boxes in a bin, tightly packed.

    When we get something in the mail, the new box goes in, the oldest goes out.

    Means we have cardboard for projects, as well as boxes for shipping/Christmas/whatever, but we don’t end up with critters making use of it. If critters did infest the bin, it’s easy enough to dump and burn, then clean the bin.

    I tend to keep jars and bins of hardware in the shed. Very useful for sure. And I keep a bin of useless computer parts for art projects. You’d be amazed how often kids and young adults get assigned “found materials” projects if you aren’t known for being the go-to guy in your family for help with such things. While those supplies are space limited, the bin of computer/electronics parts are tucked away along with a box of “cool looking shit”, and I keep basic art supplies around anyway.

    Having a good sized shed and a big attic help lol

    I dislike waste on principle, and I have enough space to keep a reasonable amount of stuff “in case”, so there I am. I also have a corner of the attic that has durable medical gear I picked up over my years in home health. It’s dwindling now, what with relatives getting older and my own disability, but as the items get used and no longer needed, they come back until they can’t be reasonably passed on again. But some of those that reach end of life have gone into the “cool shit” box lol.

  • I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Inner wrappers for Green&Blacks chocolate bars. They are a beautiful shade of gold foil and I KNOW I will use them for something… some day… Pretty ribbons or twine used for attaching labels to items I’ve purchased. Also Oui glass yogurt cups. They’re so little and cute. I use them for sorting seeds I collect until they are dry enough to put in a sealed container for next year, but I do go overboard and have to think my collection now and then, they aren’t stackable and take a lot of space.

    Cast iron pans anyone is getting rid of, no matter the condition. I am convinced that they will become currency in the apocalypse.

  • Truffle
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    8 months ago

    Trinket goblin reporting! I save tons of different little things and stuff for a while, then one day, for no apparent reason I get overwhelmed and throw away everything( or donate or whatever) Cereal boxes are great to paint gouache so I cut them up and use them as needed. Embroidery floss and yarn scraps are great stuffers for small amigurumi. Electrical wire can be used sometimes for kumihimo. Empty glass jars are my doom, I collect them all.