Is Dumpster Diving Illegal- Everything You Need To Know

What Is Dumpster Diving?

Dumpster diving refers to the activity of rummaging through another person’s trash or garbage to collect abandoned items.

Dumpster diving frequently entails stealing someone’s identity (i.e., identity theft). Dumpster diving is used to carry out a wide range of fraud and scams. Once the perpetrator has the victim’s personal information, they may occasionally be able to access even more private information.

A wide range of personal information can be obtained from discarded materials, including:

Driver’s license information and social security information
Date of birth
Handwritten signatures
Medical information
Bank statements, credit card, and bank account numbers

Is Dumpster Diving Legal?

In general, it is regarded as acceptable for individuals to rummage through the garbage that has been left on public property, such as a curb, until it is picked up. A person has effectively relinquished ownership of the items once they are dumped in a location like this because the area is now considered public property.

Note that when a person discards trash, they have no “reasonable expectation of privacy” in the discarded items, which means that the police can search through the trash without first obtaining a warrant.

A person who tries to rummage through the trash, however, may be charged with trespassing or even theft if the dumpster or garbage bin is still inside a building or on private property. Additionally, some counties or cities might declare a portion of their garbage processing facilities off-limits to the general public. By jurisdiction, these distinctions might differ a little.

Last but not least, even though dumpster diving may not be illegal in and of itself, using someone’s private information unlawfully is. Criminal repercussions, such as a fine or jail sentence, as well as civil losses compensation, may follow.

Dumpster Diving Tips

Here are a few tips that will help you score exactly what you’re looking for:

Dumpster Diving For Food

Here are a few food-diving tips from Tiffany:

Every day, Panera Bread and other similar bakeries discard many still-delicious baked goods.
Aldi, a chain of inexpensive supermarkets, is a good place to shop for food.
Packaged snack items are easy to find at CVS.

Dumpster Diving For Electronics

Tiffany advises trying stores like Burlington Coat Factory and Five Below, both of which sell some electronics, as Best Buy is not a good place to dumpster dive because they use trash compactors.

Dumpster Diving For Scrap Metal

What is the most effective method of obtaining valuable scrap metal, including gold? Tiffany advises customers to wait until stores undergo renovations. “Typically, they have a sizable roller dumpster that they use to dispose of damaged or outdated parts.”

Dumpster Diving For Toys

For finding kids’ toys, Tiffany once more suggests Burlington and Five Below.

“I don’t even remember all the stuff I’ve found,” she says. “Everything from dolls, trucks, play food, Legos, and play makeup to art supplies, bath toys, and play makeup.”

Dumpster Diving: Why Do People Do It?

For a variety of reasons, people might decide to dumpster dive. These reasons may include:

Making extra money. Occasionally, people begin dumpster diving to make extra cash from trash and waste bins, regardless of the state’s laws prohibiting it. Some people find additional income by looking through dumpsters for valuable objects.
Food. Unless it is rotten, food is rarely thrown away in many developing nations. Compared to developed nations like the United States, where food is abundant, developing countries are food-scarce. Between 40 and 50 percent of the food produced in the US is wasted. There is a lot of food to collect in trash cans. In many nations, charities gather extra food from stores and restaurants to distribute to underprivileged areas.
Electronic waste. Due to their rapid depreciation, high repair and upgrade costs, and rapid depreciation, consumer electronics are frequently thrown into trash bins. Many nonprofit organizations and schools are unable or unwilling to accept used equipment, so owners of computers may find it easier to throw them away than donate them. Vendors occasionally dump unsold, undamaged goods into landfills.
Clothing. Thrift shops routinely reject used items that they can’t quickly and affordably resell. Frequently, the items that thrift shops accept are free. As a result, there are no expenses involved in getting rid of disposable items like clothing, appliances, or donated goods that are either overstocked or fail to find a buyer after some time.
Metal. Some trash cans contain recyclable metals or other materials that can be sold to recycling facilities. Metals like steel and aluminum that are frequently recycled are also purchased by scrap yards.
Wood. For heating or building homes, wood is frequently salvaged.
Empty cans and bottles. In many nations, there is a system in place that allows customers to return empty cans and bottles to retailers in exchange for cash, though the payment per can or bottle is typically quite low.

Which Stores Are The Best To Dumpster Dive At?

Consider all of your prized possessions, including any electronics, cosmetics, clothing, or other items. The shops where you would purchase those items are excellent places to begin your dumpster diving expedition.

As far as the best places to dumpster dive, online members of the dumpster diving community cite the following hot spots:

Bakeries and grocery stores
Corporate retail store chains
Pet stores
Electronic stores

“I honestly love Bath & Body Works because I like candles,” Tiffany says. “I’d advise CVS or Five Below if you’re just getting started though. Normally, they stuff a lot of the good stuff into sizable bags, making it easy to spot!”

Maricela suggests scoping out and checking dumpsters often until you learn their “dumping schedules,” To find out when items are discarded, that may require stopping by on various days and hours.

And where should new divers stay away from?

Although it may seem obvious, Redditors advise against visiting hospitals (no thanks), restaurants, and thrift shops because they only sell the worst of the worst. Instead, stick to grocery stores and bakeries; when a Redditor attempted to dive at a restaurant, he was covered in maggots.

How Is Safe Dumpster Diving Accomplished?

Don’t worry if you’re excited about dumpster diving but a little hesitant as you read this. These are some tips to stay safe during your dumpster dive:

In particular, at night, bring a friend with you. You might need an extra set of hands in addition to the fact that there is safety in numbers.
Have “getaway” transportation just in case. “I always park right in front of the dumpster that I’m checking,” Tiffany says.
Put on worn-out clothing and use appropriate skin care. While protective gloves might not be necessary — both Tiffany and Maricela say they don’t bother with gloves or “grabbing” tools — definitely don’t wear your nicest outfit.

Bring cleaning supplies so you can clean the objects and yourself. Maricela advises carrying hand sanitizer.
Check the sell-by or expiration dates on any food or pet food items, and make sure none of the products have been recalled, advises Maricela.

Can You Make Money Dumpster Diving?

Dumpster diving is a surefire way to make money. There are plenty of people who make a living by scuba diving, though you can always keep your catch or donate anything you don’t need.

Maricela claims that she sells items she has found and makes a respectable living for her family.

“I started selling items off the curb initially, making anywhere from $500 to $1000 doing just that,” she says.

“I sell things I find on my Instagram account, @sweetthriftlife, to my followers, list some of the haul online, and also sell some things at yard sales.”

She claims to have found a Baby Jogger City Select double stroller and sold it for $300. Additionally, she frequently discovers refills for Wallflowers plug-in air fresheners at Bath & Body Works, which she sells in sets for up to $75. Additionally, she once discovered a stroller and carseat combination and sold it for $175.

Check out our post on how to thrift if you have items you want to get rid of, regardless of whether you got them from a dumpster or not. Additionally, you can sell items online at resale marketplaces like Mercari, Thredup, or Poshmark, at pawn shops, and on consignment.

Tiffany says when it comes to a dumpster diving side hustle, your “business overhead” is quite low.

“It’s all profit,” she says. “Besides gas and time!”

According to Tiffany, the amount of time required depends on your level of commitment.

“I usually dive while the kids are in school, so maybe three or four hours at a time,” she shares. “What I have going on that week will largely determine how many days I travel. occasionally two days, occasionally each day!”

FAQs

Why Do Stores Discard Products?

It sounds too good to be true, don’t you think? Are stores discarding perfectly good goods? In any case, why does it happen?

Well, it may surprise you to learn that sometimes discarding items saves money over inspecting and reshelving them. According to journalist Adria Vasil in an interview with NPR, returned goods can actually end up costing a business more than they are worth.

Vasil claims that businesses are required to cover the cost of inspecting a product after you return it. Therefore, there are times when it would actually be simpler and less expensive to just throw away the item than to actually put it back on the shelves.

So what about groceries? Yes, some of the items in dumpsters are almost expired, but frequently, trash is thrown out simply because of poor packaging or crowded shelves.

Plenty of savvy dumpster divers have scored big — one Whole Foods diver was able to feed her entire community with discarded meat that was kept “refrigerated” in 33-degree winter weather.

Should I Check My Local Laws For Garbage Ordinances?

Dumpster diving is legal according to the law in all 50 states, provided that it does not violate any local, regional, or national laws. The public has access to a trash bag when it is left on the curb while waiting to be picked up by a waste removal company. The majority of trash can be inspected or removed by the police, a neighbor, waste management professionals, or a total stranger.

Find helpful links to state and county websites by researching your state’s laws online. You can then look up local laws governing trash or garbage. You’ll be safer the more knowledgeable you are about these laws. Think of dumpster diving laws this way:

Federal law: Legal
State law: Legal
County law: It depends – do your research
City law: it depends – do your research
Restaurant or business-specific laws: it depends – do your research
Private property: Illegal
Warning signs or locks on the dumpster: Illegal

Dumpster Diving: Is It Trespassing?

Trespassing could occur if someone breaches a fence, enters a gate that is left open, or enters a private space in any other way. There are back areas in many stores that are still regarded as private store property. An exception to this rule might be stores that leave their trash on a city street.

Without the building owner’s permission, dumpster diving is prohibited on private property. You might receive a ticket or even get arrested for dumpster diving on private property.

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Dumpster Diving Is Considered Disorderly Behavior.

If dumpster diving is done in a public place, complaints are made, or the police are called, it may be regarded as disorderly conduct. You could receive a warning, citation, or even an arrest from the police for acting inappropriately in public.

As you sort through trash or leave items lying around, law enforcement may also issue a fine for illegal dumping or littering. If you are asked to leave a place by law enforcement, it is best to comply and be courteous.

Do Recycling Bins Fall Under The Same Rules That Apply To Dumpster Diving?

Dumpster diving is a popular activity among people in some states who want to gather recyclables to sell for money. Recycling bin raiding is illegal and might get you a ticket, a fine, or even get you arrested.

How Can I Defend Myself From Crimes Involving Dumpster Diving?

Identity theft and other dumpster diving related crimes can be prevented by taking steps such as:

Make sure to destroy or shred any private and confidential information. Your name and address must appear on all mail and periodicals.
Don’t put out your trash earlier than is necessary, and get your bin back as soon as you can.
Inform the authorities if you notice any suspicious activity in the area.

Exist Resources For Entrepreneurs?

Managers of restaurants and grocery stores can donate unsold food instead of throwing it in the trash. Donors are shielded from liability by the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act when they give food to any nonprofit organization that is nearing its expiration date.

Dumpster Diving: Is It Worth It?

If you want to save money or even make a little money, dumpster diving is definitely worth it. Of course, you have to be prepared to put in the work and perhaps even get a little dirty.

Dumpster diving is a cheap and environmentally friendly way to ensure that businesses don’t throw away perfectly good food and products.

If you’re struggling with money, we put together a list of resources for low-income individuals and families:

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