We have separate garbage and recycling trucks in Calgary. It works, but some people don't care.

Sometimes I can't help myself and pull something from a neighbor's garbage. One threw out a computer and keyboard, the latter looked good. My daughter knew how to adapt it and another of my kids is using it because it was better than his.
Also a good set of fireplace tools, a box of wine glasses- OK, I'm part of the magpie- camp robber clans.