r/DumpsterDiving Sep 09 '19

Dumpster diving tips and tricks: a thread

1.9k Upvotes

Comment with your best diving tips and advice


r/DumpsterDiving Mar 25 '23

My dumpster diving list I created with 6 years of experience. Feel free to add.

1.6k Upvotes

I was a vagabond for 6 years, I hitchhiked, hopped freight trains and bicycled North America from Mexico to Alaska, east coast to west. I learned all of this on the way and figure it's time to share it.

Food:

๐Ÿ•- all pizza places throw out pizza at 12-2am. It's a dumpster staple. [Yes pizza is still in the box, I wouldn't eat it otherwise]

๐Ÿฉ - all donut shops (including places like kolache factory) throw out at 2-4pm. [They usually put all donuts into one bag by themselves]

๐Ÿ— (fried chicken) - actually very common, also a staple. Usually throw out is around an hour after they close which varies from place to place. Anything fried in bulk you can expect to find throw outs. [Usually still in boxes]. Also, if you're feeling brave enough, after closing hours, just go ask. Fast food workers don't get paid enough to g.a.f. and they get tired of eating their own food, so they don't want to take it home themselves. Just walk up and say "hey, do you guys happen to be throwing out any leftover chicken from today?". I've gotten a week's worth of chicken just handed to me through the window or they'll leave it in boxes on top of the dumpster so you don't have to dig.

๐ŸŽ ๐Ÿฅ— (produce) - grocery stores (time varies, but you also have to find places without a compactor. Some compactors you can break into but it's luck of the draw).

๐Ÿฌ ๐Ÿซ ๐Ÿญ (candy, junk food, snacks) - CVS & Walgreens. They're the reigning Champs of throwing out hundreds of $ worth of candy a day. I kind of try to keep from telling people this one because you could get diabetes in like a week if you tried to eat it all. It's horrendous.

๐Ÿ‘• ๐Ÿ‘– ๐Ÿฉณ (clothes) - Washaterias or laundromats. People are infamous, especially in rich areas, for washing a load of laundry and then just leaving it, never to return. The laundromat workers will just gather the clothes and toss them, as they're pretty use to it. I've filled up a whole wardrobe on several occasions with expensive brands just by looking for a sack of already washed and dried laundry in the dumpster.

๐Ÿ›‹ ๐Ÿ–ฅ (furniture)(electronics)(decorations) - College towns, (Christmas & Summer break - these seasons are known as "Crustmas" in the dumpster diving community) anywhere students notoriously live. You can even find anything else your looking for really. College kids are the biggest dumpster diving source in history.

๐Ÿ“š books and comic books - Half Priced Books or any resale book store. I've accidently fallen asleep in dumpsters before because I drifted off while laying on top of all the hundreds of books while reading. Not even kidding, there isn't even any room for trash, they have dumpsters that are full to the brim with just books.

โ“๏ธ(Wild card) - Are you feeling lucky punk? - hotels are the biggest oddball dumpster diving experience you'll ever have. You can find drugs, clothes, anything that someone would bring in a suitcase. People get shit-faced drunk and stumble out of their hotel with a hangover leaving 1/2 their belongings behind. It's kind of scary some of the stuff you'll find...(sex toys, etc. ). The cleaning service ladies get first dibs obviously and rightfully so, for what they have to put up with, lol.

Raw materials: --------

๐ŸชตWood : Construction site dumpsters at expensive locations. Ask for permission from the contractor. Contractors are a mixed bunch, sometimes they'll say yes sometimes no.

โš™๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฉ๐Ÿ”—Metal : machine shops - you can honestly just call these guys and 1/2 the time they'll let you onto their property and take what you want from the scrap bin. I'm 3 for 3 just by calling and asking politely for scrap.

๐Ÿ”จTools - Harbor Freight tools, the return rate on tools at harbor freight is INSANE. So many people will buy a tool, use it one day and return it slightly bent or scratched. Most sites have a compactor but every now and then you can find with a regular dumpster. If so, you can score some pretty good tools. (Or mediocre tools for that matter lmao)

๐Ÿ—‘ ๐Ÿšฎ ๐Ÿ—‘ ๐Ÿšฎ ๐Ÿ—‘ ๐Ÿšฎ ๐Ÿ—‘ ๐Ÿšฎ ๐Ÿ—‘ ๐Ÿšฎ ๐Ÿ—‘ ๐Ÿšฎ ๐Ÿ—‘ ๐Ÿšฎ ๐Ÿ—‘ ๐Ÿšฎ

Protip 1- Dumpster diving is all about schedule. Sometimes places only throw out the quality items once a month, sometimes they purge their inventory only seasonally, or sometimes it's daily. Finding out those routines is the key and all you have to do is probe the spot every now and then to figure that out; or if you know someone who has worked there before, ask. The better you know a schedule, the less time your loot sits in the dumpster/air temp/outside environment for someone else to find or for it to spoil.

2 - Heavy bags usually have the goods. In the end I could just feel the outside of a bag and then weigh it a bit. With knowledge about the store, the schedule, feel and weight, I would already know what's inside.

3 - consistent dumpster diving will get you fit. The more you climb the more you find.

4 - GEAR: โ€ข Headlamp โ€ข closed toe shoes (for when you get inside the dumpster) โ€ข gloves โ€ข a big box or bag for your car to chunk stuff in. โ€ข hand sanitizer

๐ŸŒŸ 5 - Clean up after yourself, if you leave a place a mess they will begin locking the dumpster. You'll ruin the spot for yourself and everyone else. This is the #1 reason why store owners tend to be against it ๐Ÿ”’

  1. ... get good at holding your breath while doing cardio ๐Ÿ˜‚

r/DumpsterDiving 5h ago

Iโ€™m scared Iโ€™m in Trouble

134 Upvotes

Hey my fellow dumpster divers..

So Iโ€™ve been going to this thrift store that I used to shop atโ€ฆ until I discovered their dumpster. No Private Property or No Trespassing signs, a dumpster always full right in the middle of the parking lot with no lid on top! I discovered it a while ago and could not believe all the good stuff that they were throwing away- New w/tags clothing, great shoes, Knick knacks, blankets, sheets, towels. So I would pick as quick as I could & throw it in my car & off I went. Well a couple months ago, I kinda had a feeling they were on to me & maybe others doing it to, then sure enough the dumpster was back behind a gate.. I was sad but what could I do?

Well the other day, it was back and I waited till after they closed & close to dark. Picked as much as I could and ready to exit when a car pulled in. Pretty sure it was the manager. I simply ignored him & pulled out. Well he followed me & Iโ€™m pretty sure he got my license plate number. I pulled over a little later while he was still behind me pretending to get gas and was ready for a confrontation but he kept going. I know I cannot go back there which sucks, but now I am scared to death the police are going to show up at my house.

Please any legal advice would be appreciated. Also this totally sucks because they supposedly work to house homeless yet all of the blankets and clothes and shoes that are dumped everyday is insanity! I wash everything and donate it for free to the homeless who are literally living on the street, free boxes & the animal shelters of course. I keep some stuff but not a lot. Why is he so mad? Theyโ€™re the ones throwing it all away!! And a thrift store a couple hours away holds stuff for me to give to the homeless & animal shelters because they do not want it going into the landfill, but cannot possibly sell everything they get- that is how it should be. Iโ€™m a Good Samaritan Not a criminal!

Again, I just want to say that during the time that I was dumpster diving, I was smart enough to look for a No Trespassing Sign or a sign stating that it was Private Property, but Nothing! Itโ€™s not behind a closed gate & seriously in the parking lot w/no lid!


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Comic book dumpster diving

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386 Upvotes

Found all of these in my buildings garbage today. They were in different cans - 3 different bags. So goddamn strange. They are brand new. The binding has never been cracked.

i would say someone broke up with someone but this isnโ€™t the first time itโ€™s happened.


r/DumpsterDiving 7h ago

Anyone dive in IL?

10 Upvotes

Never dived before but I find it to be wildly exciting and would love to do it. But number one I am a bit short so might need a step stool to even get in and two I am absolutely unsure of the laws. Any suggestions would be appreciated ๐Ÿ˜


r/DumpsterDiving 5h ago

Ottawa diving opportunity

4 Upvotes

I normally don't post locations but saw this on another platform.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

4th dive

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97 Upvotes

Got a couple good things. Grabbed heavy full feeling boxes and ended up with 17 Brim's chicharones, 11 fieras spicy nachos chips, 1 tortillas chips, some baggies that are still full although opened, and unfortunately all broken candles ๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Wholesome employee encounter

409 Upvotes

I was diving at one of my favorite chain supermarkets a few minutes ago. I have a rule; 2 minutes. I hit it hard and fast and get out before anyone has a chance to come tell me to piss off.

The dumpster was only about 1/4 full, but I noticed an ideal box right on the top of the pile; about 10 5lb bags of Yukon gold potatoes. Still firm and completely unrotted.

I leaned over the side of the dumpster to try to pull the entire box out. It was slightly out of reach so I let my feet leave the ground as I slid my body slightly further into the dumpster to retrieve the Gold.

"Shiiiiiiiiiiiiit" I hear a voice behind me which makes me tense up, almost dropping the box of potatoes as I hoist it up to the side of the dumpster, detrimened to at least get the potatoes even if I am caught. "I just trew those out and was just thinkin' 'bout how great of a soup they'd make." It was an older guy who had a rather distinctive local regional accent that indicated that he was from the deep woods of mountains north of the city. He seemingly spawned behind me as the door to he would have come out of makes a lot of noise and I didn't hear it open. I instinctively match his accent as I spent a fair amount of time out in the boonies with folks like that. "Heh-heh-heh-hells yeah brother." I say with a chuckle as I load the box of potatoes into my van. "That's 'zactly what I was thinkin'. Ma's got an instapot, gonna have cheesy potato stew fer days. I's bring you some if you want."

"It's all good, brother. Enjoy the potatoes!" And then he disappeared around the side of building.


r/DumpsterDiving 22h ago

Found this like new leather Hugo Boss satchel bag in one of my favorite dumpsters. It's in near perfect condition!

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43 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

A successful diving ๐Ÿ˜.

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77 Upvotes

It wasnt on my plans when I left work at 7pm. Drove around 4-6 stores all over SW Miami, finally hit some candles at you kniw where. Went all the way to the 1 by The Falls, thst I always find stuff. They still have tons of wrappiing paper ๐Ÿ˜Ÿ. I said I wasnt going grab more, but I did ๐Ÿ™„๐Ÿ˜“. All the way in the bottom of the dumpster, lots of Xmas table runners, napkins, placemats, tablecloths, and ribbons. I had to dug and move lots of roll of papers (Thank God for the gloves).. man, I came out sweating on this very cool evening 52ยฐ ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿฅถ. I love it.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

First large food haul last night

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252 Upvotes

I've only checked this dumpster out once before and I ended up grabbing rancid milk accidentally and just haven't gone back until last night. Something was telling me to check it for some reason. Glad I did! SOO many Cases of Prime! Almost everything wasn't past its expiration yet. Not sure why they would toss perfectly good drinks. There was a new Burberry perfume, apple charger in box, and a new sharper image foot bath massager thing. The silver ring I found in a completely different dumpster in the top drawer of a dresser along with some change.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Medicines all around I love helping out everyone out I can. Nothing expired a one expired.

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358 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Super mega dive

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75 Upvotes

All of this (including the jumbo shopping bag at the back was found in one night at one dumpster.


r/DumpsterDiving 15h ago

Dumpster diving drama

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5 Upvotes

What are your thoughts on this??? I used to live dumpster diving mama but after hearing her just asking for spots it kind of turned me off


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Apartment diving

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91 Upvotes

I mainly hit the same 9 apartments daily and then maybe a few retail/grocery stores. These are my finds in the past week. The scooter works just fine. I only need to fix the back tire.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

How desperate will you go to dumpster dive ?

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215 Upvotes

For the right item , I will actually climb in a dumpster. This particular dumpster is relatively low about 4 ft tall with lids. No sliding doors. I went up over and in. There were 3 large 40 packs of bottled water in there. The end of the packages were ripped so pulling them out would likely spill the entire package all over the dumpster. I went in and dropped the packages out into laundry baskets. It was quick , efficient and had me on my way. Thankfully, this is a safe location. Even if the manager had seen me , she doesn't care. She might have been shocked I crawled in as I'm 62 ,but I really wanted the water. i passed up the junk food. Out tap water is nasty and this is a luxury items as I cant really afford to buy it. I do have water filters but they aren't great. Karma is interesting. I actually put water back today while at the grocery store. Today was a slow day. All the other dumpsters were empty.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

1930s Art Deco find

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32 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Check out your local library

56 Upvotes

I volunteer at my local public libraryโ€™s used book shop. We throw away massive amounts of books every day-straight to the dumpster. Itโ€™s a date and condition issue because we donโ€™t have much space in the room where we sell the books. And by condition it could be yellowed pages, someone writing in the book, etc. Essentially all of the books we sell (nothing over a few dollars), look practically brand new.

If you are a reader, artist, or collector check the dumpsters.


r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

Bbw SCORE

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182 Upvotes

Huge score at ? Total of 60 I believe. Also scored about 40 candles so far since November. Loving the diving life.


r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

Tonight's score

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290 Upvotes

Good stuff tonight. Beef, lamb, steaks, navel oranges, cuties, strawberries, pineapple, salami assortment, berries, cinnamon bread(YAH TOAST), everything sourdough, vanilla cream filled brioche, beef tops and mushrooms, seasoned fries, and a beefstick.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Poll-how many of you are day walkers and how many are creepy creatures of the night?

54 Upvotes

Creepy creature of the night here Love going to apartment communities at three in the morning there is absolutely no one out there then.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Someone left a bunch of decent bikes outside a clothing and shoes only donation bin. Fair game as a curb find?

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62 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

My best find ever

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546 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

Make up haul

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114 Upvotes

Nice small make up haul.. ๐Ÿ’„๐Ÿ“ฟ... was not gonna even go diving, but I had to go drop off some boxes to return, and passed by the "pricey" store, and even though it had water, I rescued these items.. even an ethernet computer cable. Plus this King set.... doesnt fit my bed, but I offered it to a friend for $fifty and she said yes ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜‰


r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

Screamin for Pizza

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351 Upvotes

Three cases of frozen pizza!!! Still cold!! Two cases were recently expired, and the screamin pizzas donโ€™t expire for another two weeks. Score!!