I’ve done it once or twice, never gotten anything of value but did find some cool random crap. I used to work at blockbuster, and when they would throw stuff out i’d just put some of it off to the side. I got lots of CD cases and DVD cases that way.

Since most of us here are freebie ADDICTS here is a thought..

This is a general guide for newbies to the sport. Feel free to post or pm suggestions for me to consider/add. Please sticky SS.

1.) What is dumpster diving?
This is the sport of climbing into dumpsters to retrieve objects of value. Most people here go for non-perishable items such as computers, desks, periodicals, and home furnishings. Generally, none here dive in dumpsters containing food.

2.) You mean you actually get into the dumpster?!?
Yup! Most dumpsters recommended here do not have a horrific stench. Some actually smell quite nice (ex. Pier 1).

3.) Is this legal?
It depends on your locality. Check your local laws before proceeding. Personally, I’m always looking for boxes for my friend whom is moving (strangely, I usually am). I’m usually sent to the local liquor store for more.

4.) What do I need to dumpster dive?
Common items include:
Disposable flashlight (In case it needs to be ditched or you lose it.)
Knife (To get into bags.)
Car (Gotta haul that score in somehow!)
Old Clothes (Dark are preferred, usually with non-distinct markings. Anything you can get dirty. I highly recommend jeans to keep your legs from getting scraped up and some full cover shoes. NO SANDALS!)
Gloves (Greeat in case you get into some sharp stuff or questionable liquid.)

5.) Where do I go? Where are the good dumpsters?

Most common places to dive:
Computer Repair Shops
Brick and Mortars* (Best Buy, Office Max, Books-A-Million, Pier 1, REX)
Video Stores (DVD and VHS cases)
Dorms/Apartments**

*Many of these will have compactors. You CANNOT dive in ANY compactor. It is impossible/practical. JUST TURN AROUND AND WALK AWAY.

**Best at the end of the semesters.

6.) What time do you dive?

I usually go after the store’s closed, between 11pm and 1am. Others prefer to go during the day. It’s your preference. I’m a college kid to so looking for boxes @ 1am isn’t strange.

7.) What’s the best day to dive?

This might take a few dives, or a few calls to find out. I went a couple of weeks on random days before I noticed a day that the dumpsters were all empty. The night before would be the optimal time to dive since the dumpsters will be their fullest the day before the trash runs.

I like freebies… but brand new…

fo shizzel my nizzle.

fo shizzel my nizzle.

shizzle….“shizzel” ?  :?

however you spell it…..

*Cough* Don’t tell anyone I’m a white man….....  😉  *cough*

i’ve heard of people diving for broken electronics…you can actually sell taht stuff on ebay. people will pay money for slightly damaged/non working goods at a discount, cuz they are willing to fix it….not bad for some extra cash, sell a few broken dvd players for 20-30 bucks a pop.

They have a huge thread about this on HardForum on their Free Stuff board. 
http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=98 is the link if anyone wants to check it out.

fo shizzel my nizzle.

shizzle….“shizzel” ?  :?

http://www.iht.com/articles/538409.html

:D

-=relik

i’ve done this, but it is illegal in many states

My friends and I used to do it all the time in high school.  Mainly because we werent into partying, so we would find crap in dumpsters in the industrial area and demolish it.  It was fun.  We actually found a snowboard in one.  And I found a pair of jeans, that I wore (and became my favorite pair before they ripped) for like a year.  But dont worry, I washed them with hot water 4 times before i wore them.  Yeah so in conclusion dumpster diving is sweet.

I actually did this with a few of my friends… we had a scupture class and we were making a huge piece & wanted to make it with trash..gosh it was gross but fun. We all got As and the piece totally rocked! I wouldn’t say I’m all about doing this but it was fun at the time.. aww…fun times indeed.

that’s just disgusting! I’ll never do that ...  ewwww

You don’t even have to really dive into disgusting stuff, though… If you know some cool stuff is in there, you can just reach in and grab it!  :lol:

You never know what you’re going to find in those dumpsters… but yea, you’d have to really want it. Have people actuallly found dvd players and stuff in dumpsters?

my cousin at college found a broken 35” TV and sold it on ebay for $200

Wow, a 35” TV in the dumpster? How did he get 200 bucks for it? He should post that on the “have you won anything” thread!  :lol:

From the Dumpster Lady FAQ (click) : 

Do you REALLY dive for food??????

Yes, some of us really dive for food.  If you keep an open mind about this, food diving can end up making a huge difference in your life.  Many of us get to the point where we just don’t want to deal with any more nonfood “stuff”. Then, we start thinking about diving for expendable items

The first day I dived for food, I had just been IN the store buying marked
down 1/2 gallons of orange juice for $0.50. While I was doing the rest
of my shopping, someone came with a cart and loaded up all the
orange juice into a shopping cart.

So, I hung around to see what happened to it. They wheeled the cart out
and threw scores of gallons and 1/2 gallons of orange juice away…that were
still 2 days from their due date. They were pasteurized. They were still cold.
It was winter, so it was cool. I went to the dumpster and grabbed as many
as I could carry. This experience was life changing for me.

Where would you draw the line? Would you not buy the marked down OJ?
Would you take it out of the guy’s cart if he were a few feet from the dumpster and
asked you if you wanted it for free? Would you take it out of the dumpster?

We food divers tap into the sad fact that we’re throwing away 96 BILLION
pounds of perfectly good food into land fills each year in this country.
By EPA estimates, we’re spending $4.8 BILLION a year disposing of that
perfectly good food.

You can read more about food waste here:

Food Recovery and Gleaning - USDA

I’m working on a separate page for food diving.  Check back later.