Saving landfill space

Since I started working at the ReStore I find myself taking a closer look at items that I see by curbs waiting for trash pick-up.  So often I see items that are perfectly usable and wonder why someone would throw these things away rather than donate them to us or some other resale shop.  

Certainly many people are not familiar with the Habitat ReStore but there are many other places that take donations that almost everyone has heard of.  I'm sure many people just assume that if they no longer see value in the item that no one will.  Other people can't be bothered.  They feel it is just easier to put it by the curb and let the trash collectors take it.  

Our ReStore picks up donations.  We even go into homes to get items so it isn't necessary to even put it by the curb.  We just don't carry things up or down stairs.  Donors also get a receipt to get a tax deduction.  

Several years ago I grabbed a chair that someone left by the curb for trash pick-up.  It would need to be refinished to look its best but it is a good, solid chair. The people who were throwing it out were moving and didn't want to take it with them.  I can certainly understand that but why not give it to someone or an organization that can use it and keep it out of the landfill?