T.R.A.S.H.B.A.G.S.

T.R.A.S.H.B.A.G.S.

There are nine key points which you should consider before your first dumpster diving trip, and I have a bit to share on each point.

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Transporation

Respect

Awareness

Safety

Hygiene

Buddies/ Bros/ Besties

Amusement

Gear

Selectiveness

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Transportation:

You don't need any specific vehicle to dive.

Really, you don't need a vehicle at all.

You can dumpster dive on foot if you want. BUT you should at least consider your options for transportation-- not only for transportation of your own body but also of whatever you might find and hope to haul away.

To that end you should maximize your haul capacity in an organized way.

No vehicle? Bring an empty backpack, or a maybe pull a wagon or cart to make the carrying more practical and comfortable.

Bicycle? Consider rigging up milk crates, baskets, or best option-- a rolling trailer, so you have a way to transport medium sized items safely.

A motor vehicle will always make your dumpster diving trip more comfortable-- and should dramatically improve your haul. If you're concerned about dirtying the interior of your vehicle, garbage bags, a tarp, or even a large moving blanket can come in handy as a liner.

Even with a small sized vehicle you can rescue pretty large items if you're confident in your ability to secure items to your roof. Roof rails are a godsend, but I've rescued patio furniture and filing cabinets in a tiny hatchback with no rails-- by tying them to my roof via rope through the open windows. If you plan to tie anything down without roof rails, a moving blanket will prevent scratches to your vehicle and load straps will make everything easier. Your most important concern is safety. Make sure anything you secure is going to STAY secure. Give it a good shove in each direction, to make sure it can't become dislodged or slide off your vehicle on hard stops or turns.

Respect:

Basically, don't be a piece of shit. Be kind, but remain mindful of your own personal safety. If you are dumpster diving, be kind to everyone you encounter-- you might cross paths with other divers, security guards, employees, or people just going for a stroll.

Really, you should make it a point to be kind even to those you might not encounter.

If you're digging do NOT scatter garbage outside of the dumpster. If something falls or spills make sure you clean it up. Making a mess for the employees who use that dumpster would be a real douche-bag move, so leave the area around the dumpster as clean (or cleaner) than it was when you found it.

This isn't just out of concern for fellow divers and for the people who actually work at the businesses you're diving. It's also to protect yourself legally. While it's not illegal to dumpster dive in the United States, there are other things property management or law enforcement can nab you for-- including littering. If it's clear you're being conscientious you'll be less likely to incur the wrath of property management, and maintaining a respectful presence is essential when you're diving in commercial zones.

If you give anyone problems, they can nab you for trespassing, so if a security guard or other employee asks you to leave, just do it as kindly and as quickly as you can-- even if they're being assholes about it.

It's not worth your effort or the possible consequences, should they decide to make your day as bad as possible.

Awareness:

Looking through garbage is legal in the united states, source: https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/california-v-verus-greenwood-did-united-states-supreme-court-trash

HOWEVER, access to the dumpster might not be legal in all cases. You can get hit with a trespass if you dive on private property-- so it's best to respect any instruction from property security.

There may also be specific guidelines from municipal authorities, which you should follow to avoid legal consequences.

Still, Awareness comes down to more than your understanding of legal restrictions that apply wherever you may dive.

You must stay alert! Pay attention to your surroundings, as you'll be operating in a dynamic environment where things can change in unexpected ways. If you are diving in a service area, waste management may show up unannounced-- you do NOT want to be smooshed by a garbage truck.

Do not place yourself or your vehicle in harms way-- neither should you impede operations for whatever businesses make use of those dumpsters.

Awareness should be a two way street-- remain visible when you are diving a high-traffic area so that anyone operating in that area can be aware of you. Wearing high visibility clothing and avoiding physical concealment behind or inside the dumpster is the correct choice.

So keep your head on a swivel, don't park your car or your body in anybody's way and keep an eye out for blind spots!

Also, be aware that when you approach a dumpster you may encounter other scavengers-- including local wildlife. LOOK in before you reach in, and if you see squirrels, raccoons, or other critters give them a wide berth!

Lastly, be aware of the weather possibilities, as with any outdoor activity. Keep an eye on the sky, don’t get caught in a downpour or a storm.

Safety:

Aside from keeping your head on a swivel and looking out for the possible dangers of vehicles, animals, or other people, you should also have a mind for safety when diving.

You may encounter sharps-- such as broken glass, rusty nails, or used syringes. You may encounter biological waste such as dogshit or baby diapers. And you may encounter chemical hazards such as paints, cleaners, leaking batteries, or other solvents.

It's wise to wear long sleeves and durable jeans, with sturdy boots and work gloves, to protect yourself. You may opt for additional personal protective equipment, such as goggles or a mask, if you are diving materials that may become airborne.

And of course dress appropriately for the weather. You’ll be outside and exposure can really ruin your experience if you’re not properly attired. I often dive after dark in temperatures below freezing— and I learned quickly it gets prohibitively uncomfortable if you’re not wearing warm clothes from head to toe. I dress in layers so I can remove pieces if I get to warm from physical exertion, but most of the time dumpster diving is a low heart rate activity, not a whole lot of exertion to keep ya warm.

Also: You'll want to wear clothes you don't really care about so they won't bring you down if they're ruined. But I've never ruined any clothes diving-- I just toss 'em in the wash when I get home, then hit the shower and everything comes out brand new(ish).

Still--

Even with proper PPE, you should exercise caution. Don't grab anything blindly, give items a visual inspection. Before handling anything, look for structural integrity or contamination, or other hazards.

Also, be aware: climbing into a dumpster poses significant risks- piles that look sturdy may collapse, and bags may contain sharp objects which aren't immediately visible. It's unwise to put your weight on a pile in the dumpster, it could shift and you could be gravely injured. Also, dumpsters can tip or collapse if they are thrown off balance by a human body.

You also need to consider egress. If you climb into a roll off, you might not be able to climb back out-- consider your exit before you ever consider entering.

Reaching in is usually safer, but over extending or lifting at an awkward angle can lead to muscular strain or other injuries, so be careful!

Bottom line: use an abundance of caution. If you can not safely retrieve an item from a dumpster, then you should not retrieve it at all! Better to leave it than to grieve it.

Hygiene:

Don't dumpster dive until you've put on deoderant and brushed your teeth! Just kidding, hygiene here refers to food hygiene.

If you are entirely unwilling to eat food from a dumpster you can skip this heading and go right to Buddies. If you are willing to eat dumpster snacks or just curious about how to do so safely, read on!

In general, dumpsters are dirty and not a space that you'd readily associate with nutrition. However, the reality is: tons and tons of edible things are thrown out by businesses, for a variety of reasons which may not always mean they are actually unfit for meals.

First the obvious: food being in the dumpster almost guarantees temperature exposure. The bacteria that cause food borne illness grow fairly quickly. As a general rule of thumb, perishable foods left at ambient temperatures for longer than two hours are considered unsafe for human consumption. You cannot confirm how recently raw or prepared meats were under refrigeration, so it’s usually best to skip these types of foods.

That being said: if the food is piping hot, it was probably recently on cooked or at least kept over heat, and it may have been adequately temp controlled. Similarly, if the food is significantly cold, it may have recently been under refrigeration. Food that is close to room temperature is a bigger risk.

I have rescued perishables many times—usually produce I can peel and cook or catering trays of prepared meats or other entrees I can reheat to a high temperature. One of the best meals I’ve ever had was a catering tray of Korean barbecue I rescued from the trash bin in a venue that hosts weddings and other parties.

But I’m very cautious about what I’ll take from the dumpster, as far as foods are concerned. Especially with perishables.

Aside from looking for a reassuring temperature I also give a visual inspection to look for signs of spoilage (discoloration, odd texture, sliminess) or contamination from chemicals (open chemicals in proximity to the food would be an instant no go). Look for physical debris too, and skip anything that’s suspect. Usually the only food I take has intact packaging or tinfoil barriers, as is the case with catering trays, so that I have a high degree of confidence that there’s no dangerous material in the food.

And I always reheat the hell out of any perishable dumpster meals.

It’s considerably safer to only dive hermetically sealed dumpster food. Cans, bottles, sealed pouches, and jars can be washed in soapy water and then placed in your pantry like any other food from the grocery store. Thing is, you really should check for recalls if you rescue sealed foods. Sometimes when grocery stores are informed of recalls, they’ll toss shelves full of food in the dumpster, be divers will think they’ve hit the jackpot. Check the product description on google and add the word recall to your search, to see if there are any food safety concerns. Not to be morbid, but sometimes the food we buy has dangerous contaminants like lead, pieces of glass, or undeclared allergens— the same caution you exercise in your shopping should be applied to your scavenging.

Still, most shelf stable food in the dumpster is there because it expired. But jarred food is still safe to eat past expiration, it just can’t be sold so it gets tossed.

Whether you are considering diving perishables or shelf stable foods, try to figure out why the food was thrown away. That will help you determine whether it’s safe for you to take and eat— and if you do take food, give it a secondary cooking to kill off any germs that could have found their way to the meal.

Buddies, Besties, Bros:

Don’t dive alone! I mean you can, I certainly have. But… it’s just way better to dive with someone you trust. Not only is it more fun, it’s also a lot safer. If you’re with a buddy, then you’ve got someone watching your back in case of trouble or accidents.

I mean, it’s the same advice I’d give someone who was doing something as innocent and harmless as going for a hike.

If you fall and hurt your ankle, buddy can help you find help. Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time and you can’t always be assured of your own capacity to react, so having another set of eyes and hands with you increases your safety in case of emergency.

But also, like I said in the beginning: it’s way more fun.

My most memorable dives haven’t been the ones I’ve done solo.

The social aspect of good, healthy, dumpster diving cannot be overstated.

Amusement:

On the note of social fun— dumpster diving should be fun!

Give it a fair shot once or twice, to see if you dig it. But don’t feel obligated to love it. If you aren’t authentically having a good time then don’t force yourself to keep on.

I won’t even say that you should force yourself to try it, if you feel especially adverse. It’s my idea of a good time, and everyone I’ve ever dived with (9 people so far) had a ton of fun too, but I know it’s not the kind of thing that would be universally enjoyable for all people.

Dumpster diving is good for society and the environment, and it can be good for the soul. But if it’s too far outside your comfort zone, then no pressure!

Gear:

We already talked about personal protective equipment, but there’s more to dumpster diving gear than what you wear.

You should consider bringing a variety of tools to improve access or make the process simpler. Some times you’ll see hardware you’d like to strip off of something in the dumpster, and if ll you’ve got us your hands you’ll be out of luck!

I specifically look for motors, or anything brass or copper (high value scrap resale) to strip off of discarded appliances, furniture, doors, plumbing, lighting, or decor.

1. Wire cutters. Useful for quick disassembly of chandeliers, lamps, and other discarded electrical components.

2. A couple different sizes/ types of screwdrivers. Can come in handy in countless ways.

3. Pliers and a couple different sizes of adjustable crescent wrenches. Great for pulling apart copper plumbing form discarded sinks or hot water tanks.

4. Just a regular old hammer because sometimes you simply gotta smash shit.

5. Hacksaw or pipe cutter for getting through discarded copper pipe (sometimes it’s too attached to whatever it was thrown out with to remove cleanly, so you just cut away what you can.)

6. Buckets. To carry small bits and pieces.

You can also use inverted buckets as a make shift stool, to make it easier to climb in or out of dumpsters. Tie a rope to the handle and drape it over the dumpster so you can pull it in or out after you.

7. Garbage bags, to contain stuff you need to later decontaminate. If you ever reacue clothing or fabrics put them in a garbage bag and seal them, the get them right into your laundry machine on the hottest setting. You don’t wanna allow any hitchhiking bedbugs to survive.

8. A stick or broom handle with a hook on it. Just to extend your reach. It’s nice to be able to move stuff around without actually going all the way into the dumpster.

9. Hand sanitizer and some wet wipes. In case your gloves tear while you’re handling something gross. You need a way to clean your hands so that you don’t feel disgusting.

10. Magnet. If you’re gonna be looking for brass or copper, a magnet can help you figure out what’s not worth taking. Copper and brass are not magnetic.

11. Flashlight. If you decide to dive at night, use a flashlight instead of your phone. That way you don’t run down your phone battery— keep that charged so you have a way to contact help in case of emergency. But also, don’t hold your phone out over the dumpster. If you drop it in you might have to climb into a dumpster you’d otherwise have preferred to skip.

Selectiveness:

This comes down to two main points. Firstly, you shouldn't try to rescue everything. When you first start it might feel difficult to leave free items behind in the trash-- but if you take every single useful item you see, you'll accumulate too much too fast and cause yourself logistical problems. ONLY take what you really intend to use, so as to avoid wasting your haul capacity or cluttering up your home with rescues you don't really have a practical use for.

Second, be selective with where you dive! Some dumpsters are generally not worth the trouble-- restaurant dumpsters especially aren't worth your time unless you show up right after close. They ALWAYS tend to be far more foul than other commercial dumpsters-- they're almost always utterly splattered with food waste and grease. They smell revolting and they're almost never anything worth rescuing in a restaurant dumpster. If you're looking for food to rescue, you're actually much better off with a grocery store or even a dollar store type business. This being said-- most eateries dump their unused foods at the end of the night, bakeries especially are notorious for dumping clean bags full of bready things.

Public park dumpsters are also not worth diving— they’re extremely likely to be full of dog shit and animal carcasses. (I work for a public park, and a lot of what we throw out is extremely gross).

And I’d also avoid diving at any kind of care facility— daycare, elderly care, or disability care. You’re bound to encounter a very large quantity of diapers.

If you're looking for useful items thrift stores are always a great bet. They tend to be "clean" dumpsters too, with less organic content. Strip malls and plazas make for good dumpster diving. Apartment complexes tend to have a mix of useful and gross stuff, you can find great hauls in apartment complexes, but I don't recommend these for beginners, just because these dumpsters can be really nasty. And some of the very best dumpster diving is university campuses at the end of semester. Students who lived on campus throw out tons of gear every year, and it's usually only lightly used and generally not grimed or filthy.

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Well, that's my guide as it stands. For now. I'll edit in other tips and pointers if they occur to me.

Here's a playlist of some good dumpster-adjacent songs, to get ya in the mood:

and here's a poem to better convey my true feelings about dumpster diving:

Authors Note:

Have you ever gone dumpster diving?

If not, why not?

I don't mean that in an accusatory way-- there are plenty of good reasons not to do the thing.

But, there are also plenty of reasons to give it a shot. I'm not gonna bully or shame anyone into diving-- but I will invite people to think about it.

It's easier than you'd think to do it safely.

If you want some examples of some of the things you might find diving, check out the pics at the bottom of this poem for a handful of perfectly good treasures, rescued from dumpsters.

Since writing that poem and posting those pics, I've also rescued a couple hundred dollars worth of scrapable brass/ copper, more legos, more tools, all in one computer and monitor-- and a scratch off ticket that won 75 dollars! I've also found TONS AND TONS of books (some autographed) and board games. I tend to buy lots of books, so those finds could've saved me a couple hundred bucks.

Most people's hobbies cost money... Dumpster Diving is one example of a hobby that actually brings in some profit!

It's not enough to retire on, but it's a damn nice feeling.

Still, money, really isn't the biggest motivator. The biggest motivator is rescuing useful gear, etc, from the terrible waste of a landfill.

It's such a shame that our society churns out so much crap and then burns it. If you're brave enough to give it a try, I wish ya luck!!!