Cleaning Up During Alexandria's Cleanup

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Flashlights. Check.

Screwdrivers. Check.

Sense of humor. Check.

The adventure begins after darkness sets in.

Call it Operation Flower Pot, Mission Scavenger or just plain old trash picking.

No matter how you look at it, it happens every Friday night in April in Alexandria.

The city's annual Spring Cleanup brings out those looking for free stuff - other people's stuff.

No, checking out what people throw to the curb for the city to pick up for free is not glamorous, but it is a great way to get a bargain and do a little recycling.

Yes, it's legal to take other people's junk. Any trash thrown to the curb is considered by the city to be abandoned property. Head on to the property, and it's considered by the city police to be trespassing.

Some folks will tell you they plan their yard sales for the weekend before the city pickup, or that their street has a party the night before the pickup so they can watch who comes out. (Your identities are safe.)

Others won't even admit that they - and their friends - go through other people's trash looking for treasures. If you're thinking this is a low-rent activity, think again. The occupations of the scavengers might surprise you: accountants, lobbyists, teachers.

Still others have pleaded, "Don't write about this. We have enough competition as it is."

So what can you find?

On night one, the minivan crosses Quaker Lane empty. The goal: Find planters, preferably clay planters. Nobody has any other specific requests.

A couple of hours later after wielding from street to street, the van (just like last year and years before), comes back full - full of surprises:

• Two, small wrought iron outdoor tables (A touch of spray paint and they'll match the dinette-size wrought iron tables found last year.)
• Two 5-foot-tall pieces of a wrought iron that may have been part of a tent (It's expected they'll become plant shelves.)
• A cement planter (A match for one already owned.)
• A couple of plastic planters (Clay pots were not to be found.)
• A black floor lamp (Yes, it works.)
• A white wicker bedside table (Talk about stumbling on a find. It's the missing piece needed for a beach property.)
• Four useable beach chairs (Savings: $100.)
• Two children's chairs (They bright and will make eclectic plant holders.)

If you're planning on venturing out, do take your flashlight. You'll need it to look through boxes and to get a good look at what's curbside.

Consider taking both a flathead and a Phillips head screwdriver. A lot of times bikes, toys and furniture will go into the vehicle a lot easier if they're disassembled. A wrench also can come in handy.

Take antibacterial wipes. You may want a bite to eat after all this hard work.

Veteran trash pickers also recommend that you:

• Neatly put back at the curb what you don't want.
• Keep a safe distance from the next scavenger. It does get crowded some nights. The last thing you need is a department-store-like fight over a used coffee table.
• Remain open-minded. The wealthiest neighborhoods aren't necessarily where you'll find the most interesting "collectibles."
• Look for houses that recently went on the market. Often the owners, especially if they've lived there a while, are downsizing.
• Keep the laughter under control. This can be very difficult, but waking the neighborhood dogs is never any fun.

If you live in Alexandria and have never put anything out but think you might this year, there are some rules. The city won't pick up concrete, hazardous waste, unbundled brush, loose yard waste or building materials. It will take appliances, steel pipe, furniture, mattresses, brush and tires off the rim.

Click here for a map of the neighborhoods and when the city will pick up in them.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)