Latest news with #165
The Star
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
From designer shoes to toasters, scavengers salvage luxury goods abandoned by college students
Valentino sneakers that retail for US$980 (RM4,165). A Tovala toaster oven, originally US$390 (RM1,655). A Clear Home Design Lucite table, which would have cost US$899 (RM3,820) – except in this case, it was free. Lena Geller found those items, and many others, in the trash room of her apartment building in Durham, North Carolina, the United States after scores of Duke University students had moved out at the end of the spring semester. "It feels wrong for this much stuff to have been thrown out,' Geller wrote in an article for INDY Week, where she's a staff writer. She kept a spreadsheet of the roughly 70 items she found in the trash, estimating, after doing some research, that they originally retailed for US$6,600 (RM28,040) in total. "I've had a few friends text me after reading the piece, like, 'We should put together some kind of business plan',' Geller, 26, said in an interview. "It does feel like most of the stuff that I got was just sitting there. I do think there's a lot of money to be made.' Two pairs of designer shoes and a Lucite table that once belonged to Duke University students. Every year, as graduation season ends, many departing students throw away or simply abandon expensive household items and luxury goods instead of donating or taking them back home. Local residents and scavengers are stepping in, rescuing items to reuse or sell, then touting their finds on social media. Peter Valley, a 47-year-old software company founder, has been selling discarded books from college students for years. To him and many other scavengers, college campuses are a virtually inexhaustible source of goods that can be resold, kept or donated. "My earliest success was dumpster diving at Caltech in Pasadena,' he said. "My girlfriend and I dumpster dived a couple thousand dollars' worth of books from the campus recycling centre. That was a big 'aha!' moment, where I realised that this could be a real business.' These days, Valley is primarily focused on his software business. Reselling books nets him a monthly income in what he describes as a "low four-figure amount'. At his peak, he said, he had five-figure months. Haul videos Some scavengers post haul videos of their finds on social media. Late spring sees an explosion of such content because that is when college students move out of their dormitories. "The stuff college kids waste is crazy,' a TikTok user with the handle @bethanytaylorr posted last month. Her 27-second video of rummaging through the dumpster at an unidentified college and rescuing household items has been viewed nearly four million times. Such social media posts can serve as both advertisements and how-to guides. "The whole point of this is to get the stuff out of the landfill and have someone who can use it have it,' said Megan Godinez, whose TikTok account, MeganTheDDMvp, has nearly 500,000 followers. Godinez said there was a difference between foraging on college campuses and in the dumpsters behind the outlets of retail giants like Williams Sonoma or Home Depot. "College stuff is home stuff that you use — cleaning products, toilet paper, paper towels, a ton of Tide Pods (laundry detergent pods) and dish soap,' she said. "They're extremely useful.' A toaster oven that was previously used by Duke University students. Carla Manlapaz, 62, also finds plenty of household items when she dumpster dives at the college near where she lives in north central Texas (she did not want to reveal the name of the college for fear that school officials would crack down). She also found a Fender guitar, which she said she is hoping to sell on Facebook Marketplace for US$200 (RM850). She sells other items on sites like Etsy or Poshmark. "It's very exhilarating when you see all this good stuff that you can either make a little money on or use or donate to someone else,' Manlapaz said. "It's a thrill. I mean, I'm 62, and I'm retired. Doesn't take that much to amuse me.' College campus dumpster diving isn't new, but social media has given it prominence. At the University of Wisconsin, a stretch of August has long been known as "Hippie Christmas' because so many students deposit their unwanted belongings on front lawns. Bostonians, who live in something of a giant college town, devoutly mark "Allston Christmas' each September. In a 1991 essay, Lars Eighner, who became famous for chronicling his experiences with homelessness, said that he focused his scavenging on a college town and that he found "it advantageous to keep an eye on the academic calendar'. In recent years, many colleges have adopted what Scott Galloway, a podcaster and marketing professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, has called "the posture of luxury brands', with lavish housing and gyms fit for professional athletes. Some say such amenities inflate costs while doing nothing in the way of education. Yet many parents readily fork over thousands of dollars for interior decorators to work their magic on a child's college dorm. Lena Geller shows a neon heart light with an original retail of $117 that was left behind when Duke University students moved out of her apartment. — Photo: Cornell Watson/The New York Times) At the same time, anxiety about climate change is rising among young people. Rescuing and wearing someone else's Lululemon shorts is one way to fight back against pollution and wastefulness. "It's truly transgressive because it's stepping out of that idea that we have to be consumers,' said Lisa Beiswenger, an assistant professor at Saint Francis University who taught a class on dumpster diving at the University of Akron. Her students discovered that the 300 million tons (272 million tonnes) of waste Americans generate annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, include plenty of stuff that can be used, worn or eaten by someone else. Too much junk Blame the "Amazonification' of the US economy, said Rosalie E. Kerr, director of sustainability at Dartmouth College. "If you're going to a party, and the theme of that party is the 1920s, you can go on Amazon and buy a plastic 1920s outfit for US$17 (RM72) with one click. And that's really irresistible.' College move-out season adds a twist because students need to clear out quickly. Many discover that in the previous nine months, they've accrued far too many goods to store or bring home. Into the dumpster the Jazz Age flapper outfit goes. "We have a lot of junk that's in that category,' Kerr said. Then come the dumpster divers. On social media, many marvel at their finds. Someone threw away what? You found that? But not everyone views the scavenging as a social good to be celebrated. "One of the challenges of creating a dumpster diving culture is the inequities,' Kerr said. Only certain people may know when and where to scavenge. Some may lack the physical ability for intensive rummaging. Others may be mistaken for trespassers. "It truly sucks that a Black person could possibly get mistreated or even killed doing the same thing we were doing,' one Reddit user wrote on the site's dumpster diving forum. Lena Geller holds a toaster oven with an original retail of $390 that was left behind when Duke University students. — Photo: Cornell Watson/The New York Times) Some colleges have tried to address the waste. Georgetown University, for example, organises a donation drive intended to align with "the university's Catholic and Jesuit mission', according to an email sent to students, urging them to leave items at one of four sites on campus. The email said that last year, the school "diverted over 49,000lbs (22 tonnes) of material, valued at almost US$334,000 (RM1.4mil)'. But sustainability experts say that on many campuses, such efforts are either limited or nonexistent, leaving dumpster divers to perform an important service. Anna Sacks, a Manhattan-based waste expert, criticised Columbia University for not doing nearly enough to make sure that students can either donate or resell items like mini fridges, which are too cumbersome to carry home. At the same time, access to campus has been heavily restricted, making it an all but impregnable dumpster diving destination. "To see this every single year is disgusting,' Sacks said. This year, she scavenged what she could, even as she approached her ninth month of pregnancy. "I got maple syrup that I just had with my yogurt,' she said. Her friend scored a Moncler jacket retailing for more than US$2,000 (RM8,500). (A spokesperson for Columbia did not respond to a request for comment.) Scavenging veterans say that anyone wishing to join their ranks should look for schools with high populations of international students, who are unlikely to haul televisions on transoceanic flights. For safety and camaraderie, go with a group. And do remember that you're going to be sorting trash. "I bring hand sanitiser,' Sacks said. – ©2025 The New York Times Company
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Park Hyatt to open at Merdeka 118, rooms above RM2,000
KUALA LUMPUR: Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is set to open next month, taking up the top floors of Permodalan Nasional Bhd's Merdeka 118, the tallest skyscraper in Asia Pacific, offering uninterrupted views of the city from levels 100 to 112. The hotel will feature 252 spacious guest rooms, including 27 suites, blending Malaysia's rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship with modern, refined design. According to Hyatt's website, opening rates for a standard room with a king bed or two twin beds (570 to 635 square feet) average around RM2,455 per night, while a corner room with a king bed (613 to 742 square feet) is priced at an average of RM3,165 per night. Guests can expect tranquil, elegant rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city skyline. Dining will be a standout highlight, with three restaurants on the 75th floor serving sweeping views of Kuala Lumpur. The hotel's unique Cacao Bar, the highest in the city, will be Kuala Lumpur's first chocolate-themed bar, catering to leisure travellers who increasingly seek memorable culinary experiences. Hyatt will also mark the return to the capital with the launch of Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown on August 26, its seventh property in the city. Located opposite the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre and near the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, the new 450-room hotel will anchor the emerging KL Midtown district as a key hub for business and leisure travellers alike. In a statement, Hyatt Hotels Corporation said it plans to expand its luxury and lifestyle portfolio across Asia Pacific, with nearly 90 new properties slated to open over the next five years. This growth includes the debut of the Thompson Hotels brand in the region, alongside significant new openings for the Andaz, The Standard, and Park Hyatt brands in destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia in 2025 and 2026. Globally, Hyatt has more than doubled its luxury room count, tripled its resort rooms, and grown its lifestyle offerings five-fold since 2017. As demand for luxury travel in Asia Pacific continues to surge, Hyatt's expansion strategy is aimed at capturing this momentum. As of the first quarter of 2025, 64 per cent of Hyatt's hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific fall within the luxury and upper-upscale categories. "Today, luxury is about authenticity and unique experiences. Our recently refined brand architecture and expansion in luxury and lifestyle portfolios allow us to cater to discerning travellers with focus and differentiation," said Carina Chorengel, senior vice president, commercial, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. "We are excited about offering enriching experiences that will further strengthen Hyatt's position as a leader in luxury and lifestyle hospitality in the region."
The Star
26-06-2025
- The Star
Ex-JKR director charged with accepting RM70,000 in gratification
KUALA LUMPUR: A former director of the Kuala Lumpur Public Works Department (JKR) pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here on Thursday (June 26) to five charges of receiving gratification, amounting to RM70,000, in connection with a maintenance project. For all the charges, Datuk Ir Norman Md Rabani, 51, is alleged to have received RM70,000 without consideration from an individual concerned in a proceeding or business related to his official duties. The offence was allegedly committed at a shopping mall here, between Aug 10, 2024, and Jan 23. Norman was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides a maximum jail sentence of two years or a fine or both if convicted. Judge Suzana Hussin, who set Aug 20 for mention, allowed Norman bail of RM20,000 with one surety and also ordered him to surrender his passport to the court, report to the nearest Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office at the beginning of every month, and not intimidate the prosecution witnesses in the case. Deputy Public Prosecutor Natrah Fareha Rahmat appeared for the prosecution, while Norman was represented by lawyer Abdul Hakeem Aiman, who told the court that his client had four children aged between 16 and 24, who are studying, as well as his parents, to support. - Bernama
Business Recorder
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold price per tola falls Rs3,800 in Pakistan
Gold prices in Pakistan decreased significantly on Tuesday in line with their fall in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs354,365 after a loss of Rs3,800 during the day. As per the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), 10-gram gold was sold at Rs303,810 after it declined Rs3,258. On Monday, gold price per tola reached Rs358,165 after a loss of Rs300 during the day. The international rate of gold also decreased today. The rate was at $3,327 per ounce (with a premium of $20), a fall of $39, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola decreased by Rs9 to reach Rs3,790.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rupee continues to weaken, slips 17 paisa
The Pakistani rupee continued its downward trajectory against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Monday, slipping 0.06%. By the close of trading, the local currency settled at 283.87 against the greenback, reflecting a loss of 17 paisa. On a weekly basis, the rupee also posted a decline, weakening 0.26%, or 74 paisa. It ended the previous week at 283.70 compared to 282.96 in the prior week, as per data released by the State Bank of Pakistan. Over the past six months, the euro has appreciated 12%, the British pound has strengthened 9% and the US dollar has increased 2% against the rupee, according to Topline Securities CEO Mohammed Sohail. The rupee has remained under pressure against the dollar in recent months, though it has shown some stability compared to its sharp historical declines. After hitting an all-time low at 307.1 in September 2023, the rupee recovered somewhat, but has faced renewed depreciation pressure in 2025. Short-term trends show minor fluctuations, with a 0.07% daily fluctuation and a 0.41% monthly decline, suggesting some stabilisation. However, the local currency remains vulnerable due to ongoing economic challenges, including rising inflation, external debt repayments and fluctuating forex reserves. While recent IMF support has provided temporary relief, a sustained recovery will depend on structural reforms and improved fiscal management to prevent further weakening in the coming months. "Despite this softening, the rupee's recent movement reflects a more stable and sustainable path," noted Sohail. Unlike the abrupt and destabilising devaluations seen before mid-2023, this depreciation phase has been gradual and market-driven, backed by IMF-supported reforms. Such a controlled adjustment is considered healthier for the economy as it minimises uncertainty, bolsters investor confidence and better aligns with underlying economic fundamentals. The dollar fell on Monday after Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said that the US central bank should consider rate cuts soon, reversing the dollar's earlier rally following the US bombing of some nuclear sites in Iran, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, gold prices in Pakistan edged lower, diverging from the international market, where rates inched up amid rising Israel-Iran tensions, which offset the impact of a stronger US dollar. Globally, investors remained cautious, closely monitoring Iran's potential response. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of gold in the local market settled at Rs358,165 per tola, reflecting a slight decrease of Rs300. Meanwhile, the price of 10-gram gold fell Rs257 to close at Rs307,068. Internationally, gold prices nudged higher as escalating Israel-Iran tensions outweighed pressure from a stronger dollar, with markets closely watching Iran's next move, according to Reuters. Spot gold was up 0.2% at $3,375.79 an ounce as of 1339 GMT. US gold futures gained 0.2% at $3,391.70.
