Want to make $1k weekly? Here’s how, according to The Trash Lawyer
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Imagine being able to say that you furnished your entire apartment for free and make a living just by being savvy with what others consider rubbish.
Dubbed a 'treasure hunter,' one individual combs streets and sifts through council waste piles, boasting earnings of up to $52,000 a year by selling what he finds.
It seems too good to be true, but for Leonardo Urbano, this vision is a reality.
His nickname, The Trash Lawyer, might inspire images of courtroom battles, but it’s actually in the streets and alleyways of Sydney where he’s making a case for turning waste into wealth.
This modern-day urban scavenger tale began in the grips of the pandemic.
Like many, Urbano was out of work, but instead of giving up, he saw a chance in everything being thrown away.
This 30-year-old isn't just randomly picking things; he has a good eye for detail and knows what will sell. Understanding brands, knowing what production times mean, and spotting those rare, limited-edition items collectors want are all important.
Surprisingly, 70 per cent of what he finds is functional and just requires a fast cleaning, while 30 per cent requires repair.
Urbano shared his realisation: ‘I find it empowering because you learn how to fix things slowly and gain skills you didn't have before.’
Some of his finds include high-end appliances like Dyson vacuum cleaners, luxury apparel including a Fendi tracksuit, and even gold jewellery.
In the past, he found precious porcelains such as Chinese vases valued at $220 and $145, respectively, and a Victorian English green and white glass epergne worth as much as $1,900.
He also managed to score an Adidas Allen Iverson Sixers jersey worth $400, and artwork by award-winning artist Dapeng Liu, valued at $3,000.
Urbano said he is committed to reducing waste, and part of his finds have been donated to charity, echoing his stance against the excessive consumerism that often leads to these items being tossed aside.
‘I think donating is the right thing to do—to reduce landfill and help someone out who may need it. There's so much that's discarded, and people don't realise not everything gets recycled,’ he shared.
He revealed that he avoids selling clothes and toys. Instead, he prefers donating.
Over the years, he believes he donated an estimated $100,000 worth of discarded belongings, mostly regular items like plates, utensils, toys for kids, paintings, and decorations.
Additionally, he furnished his entire two-bedroom residence using the rubbish he collected. In less than two months, his home was filled with free items ranging from silverware to a television set.
Since he stores most of his finds in his apartment, he maintains 'reasonable' prices to ensure rapid turnover of the goods.
‘It usually sells in a few days, and I don't have the space to keep it all for long periods of time. If it doesn't sell, I donate it,’ he noted.
Do you have stories of finding value from preloved items? What do you think about Urbano’s foraging adventure? Share your thoughts and experiences below.
Dubbed a 'treasure hunter,' one individual combs streets and sifts through council waste piles, boasting earnings of up to $52,000 a year by selling what he finds.
It seems too good to be true, but for Leonardo Urbano, this vision is a reality.
His nickname, The Trash Lawyer, might inspire images of courtroom battles, but it’s actually in the streets and alleyways of Sydney where he’s making a case for turning waste into wealth.
This modern-day urban scavenger tale began in the grips of the pandemic.
Urbano proves that some rubbish is still valuable. Image Credit: The Trash Lawyer/Instagram
Like many, Urbano was out of work, but instead of giving up, he saw a chance in everything being thrown away.
This 30-year-old isn't just randomly picking things; he has a good eye for detail and knows what will sell. Understanding brands, knowing what production times mean, and spotting those rare, limited-edition items collectors want are all important.
Surprisingly, 70 per cent of what he finds is functional and just requires a fast cleaning, while 30 per cent requires repair.
Urbano shared his realisation: ‘I find it empowering because you learn how to fix things slowly and gain skills you didn't have before.’
Some of his finds include high-end appliances like Dyson vacuum cleaners, luxury apparel including a Fendi tracksuit, and even gold jewellery.
A highly valued piece of artwork is among Urbano’s found treasures. Image Credit: The Trash Lawyer/Instagram
In the past, he found precious porcelains such as Chinese vases valued at $220 and $145, respectively, and a Victorian English green and white glass epergne worth as much as $1,900.
He also managed to score an Adidas Allen Iverson Sixers jersey worth $400, and artwork by award-winning artist Dapeng Liu, valued at $3,000.
Urbano said he is committed to reducing waste, and part of his finds have been donated to charity, echoing his stance against the excessive consumerism that often leads to these items being tossed aside.
‘I think donating is the right thing to do—to reduce landfill and help someone out who may need it. There's so much that's discarded, and people don't realise not everything gets recycled,’ he shared.
He revealed that he avoids selling clothes and toys. Instead, he prefers donating.
Over the years, he believes he donated an estimated $100,000 worth of discarded belongings, mostly regular items like plates, utensils, toys for kids, paintings, and decorations.
Additionally, he furnished his entire two-bedroom residence using the rubbish he collected. In less than two months, his home was filled with free items ranging from silverware to a television set.
Since he stores most of his finds in his apartment, he maintains 'reasonable' prices to ensure rapid turnover of the goods.
‘It usually sells in a few days, and I don't have the space to keep it all for long periods of time. If it doesn't sell, I donate it,’ he noted.
Do you have stories of finding value from preloved items? What do you think about Urbano’s foraging adventure? Share your thoughts and experiences below.
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