Leonardo Urbano, 30, sits on a sofa that was set out for disposal in Sydney.
Leonardo Urbano
They are saying one man’s trash is one other man’s treasure. Certainly, Leonardo Urbano made as a lot as 100,000 Australian {dollars} ($66,306) final yr rummaging by garbage piles in Sydney for hidden gems and promoting them.
His loot included Fendi luggage, espresso machines, gold jewellery and wads of money, amongst different gadgets.
Each morning after breakfast, Urbano would hop on a bicycle or in a automotive, and scour the streets of Sydney for garbage piles, with on a regular basis bringing a unique shock.
“You would see mountains of stuff — like actually, mountains. And that is once I discover many of the stuff,” stated Urbano. “That is the place the large gadgets can be, like fridges and wardrobes and couches,” he marveled.
Leonardo Urbano stated he generally finds luxurious items in piles of discarded garments, comparable to this purported Fendi bag.
Leonardo Urbano
In Australia, native councils provide free garbage choose up companies twice a yr or extra for residents. That is when individuals often discard furnishings and bulkier items on the streets, destined for landfill. Different frequent finds are computer systems, Dyson vacuum cleaners and tv units, often nonetheless in good situation, stated the 30-year-old.
Urbano stated households with extra spending energy might be discarding older devices to create space for a more recent mannequin, even when they’re nonetheless in working situation.
“When they need a brand new gadget, they purchase a brand new one they usually throw away the outdated simply because the battery will not be nearly as good anymore,” he stated. Different instances, his finds would possibly want a little bit of cleansing and minor restore work.
Leonardo Urbano stated he sells his discovered items on platforms like Fb Market.
Leonardo Urbano
He brings his curbside finds again to his dwelling, selects a couple of items to maintain or give away, and sells the remaining on platforms like Fb Market.
As a result of restricted area in his personal residence, Urbano stated he often tries to promote the gadgets inside every week or two. If they do not promote, he provides them away to create space for brand spanking new hauls.
“I feel it was good to provide away numerous stuff without spending a dime. So individuals will get into recycling and they’ll additionally begin to concentrate to all of the garbage,” he stated.
Garments, money and computer systems
“My mates are shocked at how a lot good clothes, like excellent clothes, results in the trash,” he stated, including that generally these garments and luggage nonetheless include wads of money forgotten in pockets.
Urbano stated he not too long ago offered a small Fendi bag for round $200. When he finds luxurious gadgets, Urbano stated he tries to confirm their authenticity by checking the serial numbers on websites like Entropy. He stated he additionally consults his mates who promote luxurious items.
Urbano surmised that a few of the pc tools he discovered might have belonged to expat college students and that the cumbersome electronics have been left behind as a result of they have been too cumbersome.
In Australia, native councils provide free garbage choose up companies twice a yr or extra for residents. That is when individuals often discard furnishings and bulkier items on the streets.
Leonardo Urbano
Others have since taken to becoming a member of him on his “dumpster diving” adventures.
Urbano stated his discoveries final yr included:
- 50+ tv units
- 30 fridges
- 20+ washing machines
- 50 computer systems/laptops
- As much as 15 couches
- 50 vacuums
- 150+ pots and vegetation
- 100+ lamps and ornamental work
- $849 value of money
Based on Australia’s most up-to-date biennial nationwide waste report for monetary yr 2020 to 2021, the nation generated round 75.8 million tons of waste. That is virtually 3% extra than within the monetary yr 2018 to 2019. Round 30% of the waste is shipped to landfills.
Urbano calls himself “The Trash Lawyer” as he advocates for the suitable of “trash” to stay one other day. He is been dumpster diving prior to now 4 years and instructed CNBC that he is paid hire with the cash earned from promoting what he discovered. He is additionally furnished his residence without spending a dime.
Leonardo Urbano discovered a portray by two-time Archibald Prize finalist Dapeng Liu with an estimated worth of $3,000.
Leonardo Urbano
Some noteworthy favorites embrace a portray by two-time Archibald Prize finalist Dapeng Liu with an estimated worth of $3,000, an vintage Victorian English centerpiece and a espresso machine from Italy value round $400.
He additionally shared that he has not wanted to purchase cleansing merchandise for years.
“When individuals transfer out, you could give again the residence completely empty,” Urbano defined.
“So for years and years, I saved discovering laundry detergent 30% to 40% full, so I’ll simply convey it dwelling,” he stated.
