Dumpster diving success

Income from scrap metal of the frame from an outdoor swing, an ironing board and a handful of other items headed to the trash = $11.89.

And it stays out of the landfill, always a plus.  I learned from a recent freelancing interview that the city of Lincoln, Nebraska is estimated to throw away about $13 million in recyclable items each year.  The company doing the study took core samples four times a year, and that was their estimate.

The type of metal dramatically affects the value, though.

25 pounds of sheet iron = $1.44

19 pounds of old sheet aluminum = $10.45

And, yes, I looked up how much it cost to drive to the scrap metal dealer.   It's 87 cents, one way.