wwyd - What would you do?

Well, as I've said before Buddy is one of those cats that gets into everything. This morning my roommate awoke to the garbage can knocked over and garbage everywhere. We usually keep something heavy on it, but one of the other people that lives here is careless and is really slowing down our efforts to keep buddy out of trouble. We've tried to talk to her and explain that she has to be careful about not leaving things around that he can get into or eat...but she just won't listen. But I mean, it seems no matter what we do, he find something else to destroy. If he can't get the potatoes or can't find some bread to eat, then he is in the bathroom tearing up the toilet paper. If that's not good enough then he is in the living room dragging things off the desk or clawing at the sofa...even though we have a multi level cat post for them.
He is a sweet cat and loves to snuggle but cleaning up after him on a daily basis is becoming very irritating, especially with a roommate that doesn't give a crap.
My other roommate wants to get rid of him. The problem with that is, no one wants cats anymore. Kijiji has page after page of unwanted cats, some that have been reposted for months and who wants a cat that gets into as much stuff as a toddler...its like he has to be watched 24/7.
We're just really frustrated and don't know what to do anymore...Buddy simply will not learn to be good and the other roommate won't help.
Since I know everyone here are kitty lovers, what would you do?

We play with him for lengthy periods throughout the evening. Shoelaces (fav toys) lasers, the little balls with the bells, random cat nip toys. There is plenty for him to do. We try to tucker him out but as soon as he is done playing, he's off to get into trouble.
At what age do they really start to settle down? I didn't get Parker until he was about 5, so I missed his mischievous age. Buddy is nearing 2. I don't want to see him go. I'm usually the person to nag at others for giving up cats when they are bored of them and I know rehoming them is hard on the cats...and well, just hard in general.
As for the roommate, we've tried everything. In fact, she often does clean up after him since he gets into her stuff too but I guess she doesn't care.
I'm going to try and rearrange the apartment to see if I can make it as Buddy proof as possible and hope for the best.