I’ve been kicked out of local junkyards ½ dozen times or so now. It’s a tricky game of trying to reach the waste pile when no one is looking, and also seeing who is on duty in hopes of at least ensuring that the same person doesn’t experience the pattern of kicking you out multiple times. Perhaps they would get aggressive and even block you from dumping stuff if you’re kicked out too much.

Strictly speaking, it’s theft to take stuff from the junkyard. To be clear, the junkyards in my area do not sell parts. They just melt and refine the waste. The melt value is naturally less than the as-is value to someone who would repair or reuse.

IMO, the #rightToRepair movement needs to expand to give the public access to junk before it’s recycled or dumped into landfills.

  • Completely agree, they register it as theft where I live (Sweden). I presume they don’t want to be responsible if something is dangerous in some way, and don’t understand the concept of “at your own risk”. I’ve seen so much useful/valuable shit thrown out.

    • It’s not a case of them not understanding at your own risk, it’s that a complete moron might not understand it, and might get a court or insurance company to agree with them.