In a class discussion several weeks ago, someone brought up the topic of – of all things – dumpster diving (a.k.a. scrounging around in dumpsters for stuff that might still be good). It’s a pastime that many people find downright appalling, and if done recklessly, it can be dangerous and a nuisance to whoever owns the dumpster. But I support dumpster diving that is done right.
I even tried it myself once, with the dumpster behind the Mennonite Central Committee gift shop/thrift store in Elmira, just to try it. Some will argue it’s not actually “diving” unless you actually climb into the dumpster, which I didn’t. And, as can be expected, most of the stuff in there was admittedly garbage: obscure LPs of local boys’ choirs, old tired clothing, homemade audio mixtapes, and various broken kitchen utensils. I did find some things of value, which I quietly and subtly extracted from the dumpster: cross-stitch canvas and floss (I am a handycrafter), a cute kitten suncatcher in perfect condition that I later gave away (gasp!) as a gift, and a few of those old mixtapes, for taping over.
Was it worth it? I don’t know. Maybe I just visited the wrong dumpster. I heard Tim Horton’s tosses their day-old baking (I hate to think of that when I know people are going hungry), in plastic bags, meaning they are sanitary and untouched by whatever other gunk is in their dumpsters. It would be a great opportunity for someone who’s got a miniscule budget or someone who’s just a plain cheapskate, but for some reason Timmy’s keeps their dumpsters locked up. They lock up their garbage. It seems odd to protect something you’re throwing away from someone who could use it. I guess too many people couldn’t resist the idea of free day-old bagels and were becoming a nuisance.
Found behind a thrift store I frequent - why do they lock up their garbage when it's of no value to them?
So here are some dumpster diving tips, gleaned from my vast plethora of common sense:
* Let the business/individual know what you intend to do with their garbage, and make sure they’re okay with it
* Don’t actually climb in – for safety’s sake!
* Don’t make a nuisance of yourself by coming too often or leaving a mess behind
* Wear gloves – avoid needles and broken glass
* Only take what you can actually use
I realize this little hobby isn’t for everyone. But if you get a kick out of it, go for it. You might find something amazing (unlike me).
wasteandwant 