How do you evaluate my action of picking up pages of the Quran from the trash, and should I have continued searching for them despite people's stares?

You did well by taking the Quranic paper from the garbage out of reverence for the sacred things of Allah, for Allah Almighty says: "That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts." Honoring the symbols indicates piety of the heart and soundness of faith. However, you are not required to search through garbage or track papers in the street due to the difficulty and hardship involved, for Allah Almighty says: "And He has not placed upon you in religion any difficulty."