I know what you mean. Our area has a local dump/recycling center and I am always surprised at some of the stuff that gets thrown out. Years ago it was possible to bung the staff a few quid to take back useful looking items. I myself paid a fiver for a more or less brand spanking new, lawn mower. The owner had dumped it because it wouldn't go. She had mowed the lawn when it was wet and the mower was bunged up with the stuff. For some reason she had also cut off the power cable. So after a good clean up and a new cable it went like a dream and I got many years use out of it before passing it on to my lad who had just bought a house and didn't have a lawn mower.

The staff don't do the passing on of stuff now though. Probably "elf and safety" again?

My daughter reckons our local dump is a better class than the one local to her. It's probably because a lot of the local footballers also live in the area.