I'm one of those people who lives for the thrill of the bargain. My best brags in recent history include a snagging complete set of '50s-era white metal porch furniture in pristine condition at an estate sale, all 10 pieces for $200; and buying an antique oriental rug for $125 at a DuMouchelle's auction. The rug was later appraised at $3,500 - and naturally, now I'm afraid to walk on the thing.

I am a huge fan of Recycle Ann Arbor's ReUse Center. It is 20,000 square feet of bargain-hunter heaven. The inventory changes hourly, seven days a week. For a trash-to-treasure troller, the possibilities are endless.

So far, my best finds have been 16 complete place settings of Mikasa china, in a funky discontinued floral pattern ($50), and a Danish modern lounge chair, with leather cushions, in perfect condition ($65).

Regular customers know that the key to finding the good stuff is to shop frequently and know the store's layout. There are those who visit looking for the unexpected, and those who come with intent to find a specific item, such as the matching half of a doorknob, or a bicycle for their child. The variety of materials is staggering.

When it's all said and done, the donations and purchases of reusable materials not only support Recycle Ann Arbor's environmental programs, but also they help to conserve resources and energy, and to reduce waste in our community.

In the process of preparing a frequently-asked-questions list recently for the ReUse Center, I was surprised that I didn't know as much as I thought about its operations. Whether you're a dedicated customer, an occasional visitor, or a ReUse newbie, you might enjoy the information below. Happy hunting!

The ReUse Center offers charge accounts for business and nonprofit customers.

Volunteers are welcome at any time, either individuals or groups. As a nonprofit organization the ReUse Center relies on the support of volunteers to provide the best service possible to customers.

Donations are accepted seven days a week.

A pick-up service is available for large donations, such as furniture and appliances.

All donations to the ReUse Center are tax-deductible.

The center is not a consignment operation; no items are purchased for resale.

Electrical and mechanical items may be returned with receipt for a full refund within seven days of purchase. No other returns are accepted.

In order to maintain the quality of merchandise, some goods may not be accepted due to the age, condition, or cleanliness of the material. Items may also be rejected when market demand is low, or if the ReUse Center is overstocked.

If you can't take your purchases with you, they can be held in the Sold Zone. They must be picked up within three business days, upon presenting the original receipt.

The ReUse Center sells gift cards.

Customers may earn 5 percent discounts on purchases through the Frequent Buyer Program.

Jean Brown is the communications manager for Recycle Ann Arbor, and admits to sometimes buying things simply because they are a fabulous bargain, and not because she actually has a use for them. She can be reached at jbrown@recycleannarbor.org. Visit www.recycleannarbor.org for more information on easy and convenient recycling for the home and workplace.

Your World provides local environmental information to our community. Contributing partners include: Washtenaw County's Environmental Health Division; the nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor; the City of Ann Arbor's Public Services Area, Natural Area Preservation, Systems Planning programs for Energy, Environmental Coordination, Solid Waste, Transportation, and Water Resources.