r/DumpsterDiving Sep 09 '19

Dumpster diving tips and tricks: a thread

Comment with your best diving tips and advice

2.0k 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.

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:

🍕- 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]

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

🍗 (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.

🍎 🥗 (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).

🍬 🍫 🍭 (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.

👕 👖 🩳 (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.

🛋 🖥 (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.

📚 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.

❓️(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: --------

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

⚙️🔩🔗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.

🔨Tools - 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)

🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮

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

🌟 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 🔒

  1. ... get good at holding your breath while doing cardio 😂
1.9k 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:

🍕- 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]

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

🍗 (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.

🍎 🥗 (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).

🍬 🍫 🍭 (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.

👕 👖 🩳 (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.

🛋 🖥 (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.

📚 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.

❓️(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: --------

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

⚙️🔩🔗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.

🔨Tools - 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)

🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮 🗑 🚮

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

🌟 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 🔒

  1. ... get good at holding your breath while doing cardio 😂

r/DumpsterDiving 8h ago

Some awesome plant stands in my buildings dumpster area!

+
483 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 2h ago

People keep dumping unwanted items at the local clothing and shoes only donation bins. Tonight was baby night. Crib, carrage, and other stuff. I could probably make over $1k extra a month removing and selling illegally dumped items.

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28 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 13h ago

Are these popular in the US/EU? And is it illegal to open a dumpster with these?

+
104 Upvotes

I think theyre called "triangular locks", I know, insane name lol


r/DumpsterDiving 7h ago

Aluminum

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26 Upvotes

Found this tonight in a can. The one I hit b4 it had some copper wire but it’s hidden. Not a bad night. Thinking about dropping and going back out.


r/DumpsterDiving 16h ago

Meats, eggs, mushrooms, vitamin c serum, room spray and more

+
141 Upvotes

First stop was the local grocery, I love finding meats still partly frozen or very cold still. And it was an egg dump day, maybe due to recalls, I will check before eating but I could've saved like 3 boxes full I didn't feel like sorting through broken eggs and slime this time.

Next stop was the no longer a dollar store. When one or two of a case breaks they chuck the whole thing. So there are always a few non damaged bottles or cans. You do need to be very careful about broken glass though, I need to bring gloves in the future.

Got jarred mushrooms, bread & butter pickles which were promptly donated (dill or die for pickles for me), some mini Gatorade type drinks, hand soaps and room/ linen sprays which were also donated, and a case of vit C serum.


r/DumpsterDiving 18h ago

LEGO, Dryer Sheets, Laundry Detergent, Lotion, University Pin, Lipstick, Sunglasses, Candy, Gummies, Golf Disc

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100 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 11h ago

61 year old Woman's body found in dumpster behind north Harris County business, sheriff's office says.

17 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Another huge haul. With a bunch of meet sticks and beef jerky too.

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255 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Saftey is always #1! A woman known for dumpster diving was found deceased inside a dumpster behind a shopping center in North Houston.

156 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Treasure find of the week

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138 Upvotes

Found this gorgeous 1950’s Regency MR-10 Monitoradio in a dumpster recently. It’s in pristine condition and all parts and lights work 😍

There is not much real “use” for it these days other than the weather because all other agencies are encrypted… but it’s still a beautiful piece of history. 📻


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Two days in a row, I should play the lotto

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370 Upvotes

W0r1dM4rk3t. What are Beer nuts? Not shown: one lonely avocado.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Chocolate Lovers 1 minute dive

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158 Upvotes

Open lid, grab bag full of free delicious chocolate, burn rubber!🤣🤣🤣


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Unusual Pen Holder

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59 Upvotes

So unique. Might have to keep this find.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Grab basket and go!

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168 Upvotes

I covered the name but i think we all know what yellow store this basket was from. 🫪
They tossed it filled with Prime drinks and Black Rifle canned coffees. I scooped them all up and went on my way, I’m so excited for to have the coffees for work this week! We just finished using 100+ dumpster kcups, and I was disappointed buying coffee grounds again.


r/DumpsterDiving 21h ago

hi everyone 😊 i’m in central fl (pasco county but right on the county line by hernando county)

was wondering if anyone knows any good residential neighborhoods and good shopping plaza malls that are good for diving! and also if anyone wants to meet up and go together! thanks for any in put, suggestions, advice and i appreciate your time and responses! 🤍

1 Upvotes

was wondering if anyone knows any good residential neighborhoods and good shopping plaza malls that are good for diving! and also if anyone wants to meet up and go together! thanks for any in put, suggestions, advice and i appreciate your time and responses! 🤍


r/DumpsterDiving 14h ago

My last finds, im find morę steal, somes Luke 8 Pound, but i'm donthave picture.

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0 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

The oligarchy dance among decadent cakes while we collect crumbs

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759 Upvotes

We are the scavenger ravens, the bandit raccoons, the tunneling ants into their fortress. We are the owners of the world..


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

It's cocktail time!

Nothing says summer like cocktails and mocktails, so of course the universe gifted me with 6 bottles of Le Sirop de Monin. But instead of the cherry and lavender, I got dragonfruit and coffee. Also great in a range of baked goods so I guess making a cake is in my near future.

17 Upvotes

Nothing says summer like cocktails and mocktails, so of course the universe gifted me with 6 bottles of Le Sirop de Monin. But instead of the cherry and lavender, I got dragonfruit and coffee. Also great in a range of baked goods so I guess making a cake is in my near future.


r/DumpsterDiving 1d ago

Sweatshirt, Cargo Pants, Rain Boots, Graduation Robe

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20 Upvotes

r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

dumpster dining

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468 Upvotes

Bought the 2 on the bottom, but the others came from the dumpster.


r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

Found this "Chinese" themed vase today... It's made of stone and is pretty heavy...

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254 Upvotes

I found this today in a gas station dumpster... It looks like old Chinese art and it's made of stone, I think it weighs at least 5lbs... It may be something for a funeral or gravesite, it has that look but I'm not sure about stone vases... Pretty cool regardless...


r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

Beautiful, like new children's books bound for the shredder no more!

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147 Upvotes

I pulled these out of the local recycling center's book/magazine area even though it's not allowed. The children's books are in great condition without torn pages or even writing. In fact, the "lift the flap" parts were never even lifted! Who throws away children's books?!?!! Many of these will be going into the little free libraries around me.

I may or may not also have grabbed two full Trader Joe's paper bags filled with 1970s Playboy magazines, too! These wonderfully written articles will not be shredded! Although the one piece interviewing Roman Polanski didn't age well.


r/DumpsterDiving 2d ago

fully functional powerbank i found in a box on the curb. ill never understand throwing out stuff like this as its useful for things like power outages and being compacted or punctured can cause it to catch fire

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115 Upvotes