Dumpster divers? - Page 2

[springbride]

I too am fascinated. I must also admit that the thought has crossed my mind a number of times in the last few months to try this. I think this thread just might be the inspiration I need to find a 'diving' buddy!

[lakeruby]

This is a great thread! Thanks so much for all of the useful information. I am determined to give it another try. I used to dumpster dive when I was in high school--- the Goodwills in our area throw away TONS of fun stuff, and I used to get all my magazines from the Barnes and Noble dumpster. Now, however, Goodwill uses a compactor, and the Barnes and Noble dumpster is locked. Boo! After reading this, though, I'm inspired to check around at some of the pet stores and craft stores, and see what I can find. My ultimate diving goal would be to get some good food, but all the major grocery stores around here compact, and our food co-op composts and gives its extras to employees (yay for them!). I need to find a friend to go with me, because DP is not interested. We do stop for stuff on the side of the road, though! I have sold many an item on ebay that came from a trash pile -- for example, I sold some vintage bakelit christmas lights (they still worked and were in their original box...1930's I think) for about $90! Amazing.

[ArtsyMomma]

I haven't been dumpster diving, but I've picked things up from the curb many times. I'm inspired to give it a shot though! I even have a friend who would probably be up for a dumpster-diving-night-on-the-town.

I did rescue about 40 loaves of bread that the bread guy dumped in OUR dumpster at work the other day. I gave out most of it to the other employees at work, but I brought home about 6 loaves.

[lucifugous]

Originally Posted by springbride

I too am fascinated. I must also admit that the thought has crossed my mind a number of times in the last few months to try this. I think this thread just might be the inspiration I need to find a 'diving' buddy!

x2 I have one target area within walking distance that I should check out when DX takes the babe... if a buddy with a vehicle wants in, there are a ton of places within 3 miles that we could hit up!

[bjorker]

I miss dumpster diving.

It's just too hard to get out with a buddy late enough at night. Plus, I'm pregnant, and I need my abdomen a lot to hoist myself over the dumpster.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I need to get back out there as well. I haven't been since the end of the summer and feel guilty about not going for cat food. I can't afford to buy my cat food as good quality as I could get from the dumpster. I was seriously feeding him the absolute top of the line, and now have switched to the store brand. I might try to get back out again in the next week or so. I am cutting my hours way back at work, so will need to increase my frugality, so dumpster diving, here I come!

[ewp11100]

How do you do this with kids? I can't get to many dumpsters without driving (the ones right behind our house at a strip mall are locked) and I always have the kids. I feel weird as a "newbie" as it is, I'm not comfortable taking my kids with me. Do you usually leave your kids at home? Do you always go with a buddy?

[lakeruby]

Originally Posted by ewp11100

How do you do this with kids? I can't get to many dumpsters without driving (the ones right behind our house at a strip mall are locked) and I always have the kids. I feel weird as a "newbie" as it is, I'm not comfortable taking my kids with me. Do you usually leave your kids at home? Do you always go with a buddy?

I would say definitely go with a buddy if you're feeling uncomfortable, or if you're in a strange area. Once you try it with someone else, you may feel better about it. I don't have kids (I am hoping for them though!!!) but my dad always took me dumpstering when I was a kid. We mostly got boxes and packing peanuts to use for shipping our home-based soap company's products out, but he was never shy about stopping on the side of the road to go through someone's trash-- and he has very rarely been hassled for it in the 30 years he's been doing it! Mostly people are supportive and interested, if they even notice at all.

[FoxintheSnow]

I haven't gone diving in probably 12 years but youve inspired me to start again. I still go what I call "trash picking" which means driving around wealthy neighborhoods on trash day to see if anything good is being thrown out.

[Attila the Honey]

I usually go with a friend or my husband just because it's fun. Also, I don't drive, so... My husband goes alone frequently.

We've brought our daughter but she doesn't enjoy it much because it usually just means a couple hours of sitting in the car for her. She's 6. The few times we've taken her we've brought the car dvd player and gotten her snacks but she still complained the whole time. Also, she always wants to get out and help and it's such a "start and stop" kind of activity that redoing her seat belt after every dumpster became a real chore. She's 6. I've gone with friends kids that were older, in the 10-teen range, and it seems like they had more fun.

I found a new dumpster with lots of like-new furniture. It's an agency that runs group homes and when they redecorate (often) they throw everything away. I got this as a tip from a friend that works there.

[lakeruby]

subbing

I finally went dumpster diving this weekend, on sunday morning! It was mostly a bust, but I'm glad I gave it a shot, and I hope to make it a regular thing for me. I tried 3 strip malls in my area but didn't come up with much...it was also raining, so that didn't help. The dumpster behind our Border's did have some books and magazines in it, but they were wet-- so I'll be sure to check back during a less rainy week. The Michael's and Marshalls had a trash compactor and also a regular dumpster that was packed FULL of broken things ....I'm not sure if they were throwing them away because they were broken, or if this was a case of break-so-they-can't-be-used-anymore. I will be sure to check back there later to get a better idea. I did find a bag of dog food in the dumpster behind the pet store. My little dog is quite picky and wouldn't touch it, but I hope to find a home for it-- it had a small tear in it, so I think that's why they were throwing it away.

Anyway! I'm definitely going to try again. It was kind of fun, but I did feel a lot more like a criminal than I thought I would....I kept having to remind myself that I was doing good for the Earth!