How To Dumpster Dive

How to Dumpster Dive

Quick quiz: is dumpster diving a) a sport; b) a popular hobby for the frugal; or c) an environmentally and socially conscious way of life? The answer is all of the above. As the name implies, dumpster diving (known as "skip diving" in many parts of the world) is the process of scavenging trashÐ'--not always dumpsters, howeverÐ'--for useful or valuable items. Believe it or not, though, dumpster diving is quickly approaching mainstream status even in affluent countries. Whether you're looking to furnish your home, fill your fridge, or cash in on other people's trash, this guide will teach you the ins and outs of dumpster diving.

Remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure!

Steps

1. Know your local laws. In many if not most jurisdictions, trash is not considered private property, so dumpster divers cannot be charged with theft. Depending on where you are and what you are taking, however, this may not be the case. In addition, some municipalities have ordinances prohibiting scavenging trash, and dumpster divers may run afoul of laws regarding trespassing or invasion of privacy. Research the laws in your area or contact your local police department to inquire about the legality of diving practices.

2. Get over your squeamishness or adapt your methods to avoid practices you see as disgusting. Many people find entering a dumpster gross. If you follow the steps below, however, you may be able to make your experience a little less foul. If you're still put off by sifting through trash, however, consider scavenging only items placed with trash but not in rubbish bins, such as furniture and, sometimes, crates of food.

3. Network with other divers. As you get into dumpster diving, you'll likely meet other divers. Many, but not all, will be friendly and helpful. Share tips and experiences with them and you'll probably get some good tips in return. Consider joining an online dumpster diving forum or a local club. There are a lot of dumpsters out there, and you can't cover them all on your own, so word of mouth is extremely helpful.

4. Find the hot spots. If you're just looking for unexpected treasures, you can look pretty much anywhere. Drive around your neighborhood on the night or early morning before trash pickup, for example, and look for furniture or electronic items sitting next to trash cans, or randomly search dumpsters. If you want to find food, go to dumpsters behind grocery stores, bakeries, and the like. Many stores simply throw out products once they hit the expiration date, and you can sometimes find good produce that's just a little past its peak. Look online at dumpster diving forums for tips on where to go in your area.

5. Be in the right place at the right time. Usually late nights or early mornings are the best times to dive. Dumpsters are usually fullest at these times, and you have less chance of a confrontation. Obviously in a residential neighborhood you should wait until the night before scheduled trash pickups. Also, the 7th of the month is a good day for dumpster diving in planned communities in some regions, because those people who haven't paid their rent yet for the previous month will be evicted on the 8th, and they may be in a hurry to just throw stuff out and split. For businesses, you'll generally find the best days and times by trial-and-error. Some stores, for example, throw out a lot of things on a certain day. Check online dumpster diving forums, ask other dumpster divers, or even ask friendly store clerks or business owners.

6. Wear the right clothes. Get some good gloves and wear them whenever you go diving. Long-sleeve shirts and pants will help protect you from dirt and cuts. If you're going to actually enter a dumpster, wear sturdy fabrics such as denim, and cover as much of your body as possible. Protect your feet by wearing thick, fully-enclosed shoes or boots. Wear clothes that you don't care too much about.

7. Equip yourself. Check the "things you'll need" section below. At the very least carry a milk crate or stepping stool to help you see and access the contents of dumpsters and bring plastic bags to hold your treasures. Also be sure to bring a flashlight if you're diving at night. Remember that you don't have to dive right into a dumpsterÐ'--bring along a long pole to poke around with or one with a grabbing apparatus on the end, and you may not need to venture in at all.

8. Make sure no one is around. As long as you're not breaking any laws, you don't have anything to worry about, right? WrongÐ'--dumpster diving is somewhat controversial, and divers are frequently confronted by shopkeepers or homeowners. While a confrontation is no big deal if handled properly, you should still try to avoid it. If you see people in the area, wait a while.

9. Handle with care. Be very careful when handling trash or entering dumpsters. Broken glass and sharp objects can cut you, and you could be poked by a used needle. Protective clothing will help avoid these dangers, but you also need to be aware of your surroundings at all times.

10. Bring along a car or truck. Unless you're collecting furniture it's not necessary to have a vehicle, but it can increase the range of your diving and the size and quantity of things you can carry. Prepare your vehicle by putting bags or old blankets over the seats or cargo areaÐ'--trash is frequently dirty.

11. Look for items you want. Sift through the trash and collect anything that you can use. Bag smaller items. Take only what you need or can realistically use. There are a lot of dumpster divers, and someone may have a dire need for something that you'll just leave sitting in your garage.

12. Clean up after yourself. If you've thrown garbage all around, pick it up and put it back into the dumpster. While you're at it, throw away other nearby trash that's on the ground. Leave the area as clean or cleaner than you found itÐ'--don't give dumpster diving a bad name.

13. Bring items home and thoroughly clean them. Cleaning is especially important with food. While most food will be packaged, take special care to wash produce, preferably in a mild bleach and water solution (the food you buy in grocery stores is usually