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 12 months rummaging by means of garbage piles in Sydney for hidden gems and promoting them.
His loot included Fendi baggage, espresso machines, gold jewellery and wads of money, amongst different objects.
Each morning after breakfast, Urbano would hop on a bicycle or in a automobile, and scour the streets of Sydney for garbage piles, with on a regular basis bringing a special shock.
“You can see mountains of stuff — like actually, mountains. And that is once I discover many of the stuff,” mentioned Urbano. “That is the place the massive objects will likely be, like fridges and wardrobes and couches,” he marveled.
Leonardo Urbano mentioned he typically finds luxurious items in piles of discarded garments, equivalent to this purported Fendi bag.
Leonardo Urbano
In Australia, native councils supply free rubbish pick up services twice a 12 months or extra for residents. That is when individuals often discard furnishings and bulkier items on the streets, destined for landfill. Different widespread finds are computer systems, Dyson vacuum cleaners and tv units, often nonetheless in good situation, mentioned the 30-year-old.
Urbano mentioned households with extra spending energy could possibly 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 previous simply because the battery is probably not pretty much as good anymore,” he mentioned. Different instances, his finds would possibly want a little bit of cleansing and minor restore work.
Leonardo Urbano mentioned he sells his discovered items on platforms like Fb Market.
Leonardo Urbano
He brings his curbside finds again to his house, selects a couple of items to maintain or give away, and sells the remainder on platforms like Fb Market.
Attributable to restricted house in his personal condominium, Urbano mentioned he often tries to promote the objects inside per 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 totally free. So individuals will get into recycling and they’ll additionally begin to concentrate to all of the garbage,” he mentioned.
Garments, money and computer systems
“My mates are shocked at how a lot good clothes, like good clothes, results in the trash,” he mentioned, including that typically these garments and baggage nonetheless comprise wads of money forgotten in pockets.
Urbano mentioned he not too long ago bought a small Fendi bag for round $200. When he finds luxurious objects, Urbano mentioned he tries to confirm their authenticity by checking the serial numbers on websites like Entropy. He mentioned he additionally consults his mates who promote luxurious items.
Urbano surmised that a number of the pc gear 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 supply free garbage decide up providers twice a 12 months 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 mentioned his discoveries final 12 months included:
- 50+ tv units
- 30 fridges
- 20+ washing machines
- 50 computer systems/laptops
- As much as 15 couches
- 50 vacuums
- 150+ pots and crops
- 100+ lamps and ornamental work
- $849 price of money
In accordance with Australia’s most recent biennial national waste report for monetary 12 months 2020 to 2021, the nation generated round 75.8 million tons of waste. That is almost 3% more than within the monetary 12 months 2018 to 2019. Round 30% of the waste is shipped to landfills.
Urbano calls himself “The Trash Lawyer” as he advocates for the fitting of “trash” to reside one other day. He is been dumpster diving previously 4 years and instructed CNBC that he is paid hire with the cash earned from promoting what he discovered. He is additionally furnished his condominium totally free.
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 price round $400.
He additionally shared that he has not wanted to purchase cleansing merchandise for years.
“When individuals transfer out, that you must give again the condominium completely empty,” Urbano defined.
“So for years and years, I stored discovering laundry detergent 30% to 40% full, so I’ll simply carry it house,” he mentioned.
