Dumpster Diving FAQ

[Streyeder]

This is a general guide for newbies to the sport. Feel free to post or pm suggestions for me to consider/add. Please sticky SS.


1.) What is dumpster diving?
This is the sport of climbing into dumpsters to retrieve objects of value. Most people here go for non-perishable items such as computers, desks, periodicals, and home furnishings. Generally, none here dive in dumpsters containing food.


2.) You mean you actually get into the dumpster?!?
Yup! Most dumpsters recommended here do not have a horrific stench. Some actually smell quite nice (ex. Pier 1).


3.) Is this legal?
It depends on your locality. Check your local laws before proceeding. Personally, I'm always looking for boxes for my friend whom is moving (strangely, I usually am). I'm usually sent to the local liquor store for more.


4.) What do I need to dumpster dive?
Common items include:
Disposable flashlight (In case it needs to be ditched or you lose it.)
Knife (To get into bags.)
Car (Gotta haul that score in somehow!)
Old Clothes (Dark are preferred, usually with non-distinct markings. Anything you can get dirty. I highly recommend jeans to keep your legs from getting scraped up and some full cover shoes. NO SANDALS!)
Gloves (Greeat in case you get into some sharp stuff or questionable liquid.)


5.) Where do I go? Where are the good dumpsters?

Most common places to dive:
Computer Repair Shops
Brick and Mortars* (Best Buy, Office Max, Books-A-Million, Pier 1, REX)
Video Stores (DVD and VHS cases)
Dorms/Apartments**

*Many of these will have compactors. You CANNOT dive in ANY compactor. It is impossible/practical. JUST TURN AROUND AND WALK AWAY.

**Best at the end of the semesters.


6.) What time do you dive?

I usually go after the store's closed, between 11pm and 1am. Others prefer to go during the day. It's your preference. I'm a college kid to so looking for boxes @ 1am isn't strange.

7.) What's the best day to dive?

This might take a few dives, or a few calls to find out. I went a couple of weeks on random days before I noticed a day that the dumpsters were all empty. The night before would be the optimal time to dive since the dumpsters will be their fullest the day before the trash runs.

[Falls Included]

In case you missed it... DO NOT TRY COMPACTORS!! IT WILL NOT WORK, AND IS ILLEGAL!

[ScubaSteve]

Thanks for doing that for us Streyeder :D

[thebro]

also might wana add some cotten gloves to the list - dont wana get no aids :p i got cut on some freaky metal thing once and it got really infected. so i would have to recommend it.

and remember if it is locked or shut up [like a compacter] dont even try it, because that has ILLEGAL written all over it.



places to check

rich neighborhoods - since they throw out some cool shit

auto part stores/ shops - some really cool shit there too

drive behind the strip malls since they are all usally open dumpsters


ps: good luck

[antoniohawk]

Rubber gloves are great. Also bikes are better for getting into back alleys to check the stuff out, you can always get the car later!

[mtbaird]

90% of the stores i went to had compactors :(

[Kurt@BInvisions]

I'm going for the very first time tonight! Wish me luck :)

I'll be hitting Office Depot, Staples, Pier 1, Radio Shack, and a small electronics shop. I just know they are all going to have compactors, you watch. Ugh, oh well, I'll let ya guys know how it goes.

[Kurt@BInvisions]

Oh man, I had a SWEET run tonight.


Gamestop:
40+ still plastic rapped in dvd case bonus DVDs (Chronicles of Riddick, Driv3r, something DPS, and more)
A few Xbox magazines


Sprint:
Cell Phone Genuine Leather Belt Clip/Holder

Half Priced Books
Full Encyclopedia set, in like new condition!
Numerous in new condition novels
2 XMen comics from 1992, basically mint condition

Office Depot:
Had Compactors

Staples:
No Compactors, empty dumpster (I really need their trash schedule if they have a universal one, someone please tell me)

Pier 1:
Had Compactors / 3 non compactor dumpsters (were empty)

Payless Shoes:
About 30 rolls with atleast 2000 stickers each of prices ($30, $40, $99, etc..)

Like I said, I think I did decent, and could have gotten much more if I listened and brought gloves! And I really need staples / pier 1 garbage pick up schedule if anyone has it.

Edit: Sorry, wrong thread!

[antoniohawk]

Just to let everyone know, there is a dumpster diving discussion thread and there is also the Unofficial "Post What You've Found Thread". The later is unfortunately no longer on the first page. Maybe a friendly mod would like to sticky it and make it official... ;)

[http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=768269]

[sc0tty8]

I found an old discount store to be the best, like, a store like everything that gets returned, goes to that store to get sold, I scored some decent stuff out of it.

I have found too much broken glass in dumpters, and, the thought of coming across a syringe has kept me out.

[DRJ1014]

also look for camera's. most of the computer stores around here have camera's :mad:

[bigboy101011]

Hey, does anybody know if the photo infront of the camera work, and if so how do you do ity?
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[DRJ1014]

pain in the ass. you need some high tech stuff and if you can afford the hightech stuff wtf are you doing DD

[Komataguri]

Always thought about this, never did it.



Would you reccomend loner trips or should you try to form a small 2 or 3 man group?

[DRJ1014]

its good to have 3 people.

You. Looking
2nd. Driving
3rd. Help looking and loading

if on foot get somone slower than you so you can out run them so they get caught and not you :D

[Komataguri]

its good to have 3 people.

You. Looking
2nd. Driving
3rd. Help looking and loading

if on foot get somone slower than you so you can out run them so they get caught and not you :D


Hrm, I don't think I have anyone that'd go with me. And I'm not going alone, Theres to many gangs and druggers around here in my part of Orlando.

I might do it during the day, I have a blockbuster right down the road. And the area behind the store is a common cuthrough, so its not suspicious being back there.

I don't think they have a dumpster behind them, tho.. I'll have to check it out.

[AMV]

my wife works at blockbuster.... I don't think you need to bother as far as I understand they actually ship everthing to be distroyed to a recycling plant or something

[Streyeder]

my wife works at blockbuster.... I don't think you need to bother as far as I understand they actually ship everthing to be distroyed to a recycling plant or something


They throw out a great deal of cases, this is documented fact. I believe there have been a few successful movie recoveries made as well.

[Komataguri]

Anyone in Orlando doing any dives? I'd like to get in with an experianced crew for my first time.


I've got no one I can ask and I ain't going alone, My luckI'll end up running into a few onery homeless guys who want to take my tender young virgin behind.

[DRJ1014]

Anyone in Orlando doing any dives? I'd like to get in with an experianced crew for my first time.


I've got no one I can ask and I ain't going alone, My luckI'll end up running into a few onery homeless guys who want to take my tender young virgin behind.lol wear steal boxers :D

if you dont want to go alone because of things (like getting punched in the but) go early early in the morning like at 4

what would be cool is to have a police car..... like on ebay buy one and drive around in that and DD :) no one would suspect anything...... living in california with a washington police car:p

[Komataguri]

lol wear steal boxers :D

if you dont want to go alone because of things (like getting punched in the but) go early early in the morning like at 4

what would be cool is to have a police car..... like on ebay buy one and drive around in that and DD :) no one would suspect anything...... living in california with a washington police car:p


I think I'm going to cruise tonight for DD and CC on my bike, if I find something good I'll call in the calvary [ Someone with a car :p ] and load up.


I have a highdollar hobby shop I'm hopping to get something good from, if they have a dumpster.

[DumpsterRat]

Komataguri I live in O town close to the 408, I DD at least once a week always solo but I wouldn't mind you coming along its cool...

[jellysandwich]

Would someone mind explaining what the difference between
a compactor and a dumpster is?

-jellysandwich

[Rogue4mula]

I think that a dumpster is just a metal thing that garbage goes in.. and a compactor is a dangerous machine.. hence.. it compacts.. people ..

[CptTrips]

Anyone know where I could find some local laws for Florida/Tallahassee area? I've googled and googled to no avail.

[Kaiga]

Best lines to tell a cop if he sees you DD'ing:

I am looking for boxes for blah blah, ya, that'll work alright, but something even stronger hit me 2 days ago.

really good thing to say when a cop sees you (esspeacially when you are hitting the huge stores.)
An officer stops me and my friend for suspected Dumpster Diving. He had seen what we found in the back. I had 3 empty full rack towers (this was all found at some big stores, bt won't mention) some hard drives, 3 cd-r drives other stuff. he told us he saw us getting out of the dumpster.
and i said a nice big:
"Well officer, what we're actually doing here is looking for PC parts big stores throw away and build PC's out of them, and then we Donate them to our local charity center for people in need of a computer."
luckily i had a thank you note from the charity from when I donated my old Packard Bell. I showed it to him, and That just sent him on his way. completey, no iding, no checks on liccenses, no nothing.
just thought i'd share that with you, just in case you need a good cop sending line.

[manflesh]

Some additional info. Yes it does vary from town to town, county to county, and state to state. So check all levels of law: State, County, Local. Check with the local cops, see what they think. Some will mess with you anyway, even if its totally legal. Avoid the locked & closed fence dumpsters. Those can get you in trouble. Trespassing or theft comes to mind when I see those. Expect to get dirty, smelly, etc. Wear good work gloves, long sleeves & think jeans or work pants as sharp objects can be the norm. Tetanus shots? Make sure yours is still within its experation date... Do NOT go alone. This way if you get hurt you have help. And having a lookout while you legs are sticking out of the dumpster is always a good idea. Always check out your target dumpsters beforehand. You do not want to accidently bump into the "wrong" crowd in the alleys. Drug dealers get a bit touchy when someone interupts their deal. My suggestion is to do the diving during daylight as most people do not think you are doing anything wrong during daylight hours. Sundays are best. Take flattened boxes with you as this will be your excuse in diving, you need more for a move. The boxes come in handy with holding your new "loot." The best places to look are behing office supply stores,discount clothing stores, apartment complexes (especially end of month), office complexes (also at end of month), and local colleges/universites. The college/university dumpsters can really be a gold mine at the end of the year. Vandy is in my locality and the long distance students throw away everything.
This may be different from other's opinion, take your ID. Having your ID on you makes a cop relax. They think you are up to something if you do not have it on you. Worse, thanks to a Supreme Court Ruling, if you do not have proper ID on you, the cops can hold you until they get proper confirmation of your ID. If you get stopped, be nice, smile, and offer your cover story about the boxes. Offer your ID if asked. Be nice to the cops and they generally will leave you be. NEVER run from a cop.

[Cthulhu]

i'm just curious as to why this would be illegal? they threw it out...as in they didn't want it anymore. where's the crime?

[HTPC Rookie]

My brother up north throws a newspaper all over town every night. Been doing it for around 15 years now. He loves 'trash night', when everyone puts their junk out for next day's pickup.

He's grabbed stereos, TVs, computers, all kinds of stuff. Keeps what he wants, the rest goes off on ebay, or in the dumpster if it's really junk. Been doing it so long the cops, which are normally so bored at 2AM they'll beat up a squirrel out after dark, wave at him when he goes by.

His cardinal rule: Leave the scene as you found it. Noboby's gonna complain someone is stealing their trash. But leave a mess....

[Shakezilla]

thanks for the FAQ, me and 3 friends are going out tonite to find me a nice comfy desk chair, hopefully leather.

Anyone know the chances of finding one? maybe one with one broken wheel? :p Or a lil rip on the fabric.

[frankyk]

can you check the garbage bins of rich neighborhoods?

[Sheldron]

thanks for the FAQ, me and 3 friends are going out tonite to find me a nice comfy desk chair, hopefully leather.

Anyone know the chances of finding one? maybe one with one broken wheel? :p Or a lil rip on the fabric.
Your best bet for an office chair is.... (drumroll please)... behind office buildings. Instead of trying to repair broken or ripped office furniture, alot of companies will throw the old one out, and buy a new one.

[AceGoober]

My apologies, posted in wrong thread.

[dR.Jester]

FYI - When someone pulls their trash out to the curb for collection, its then considered public property. Happy hunting!

[c0ex]

FYI - When someone pulls their trash out to the curb for collection, its then considered public property. Happy hunting!

I thought It became the towns property. What state/city are you from?

[Eulogy]

Where can I check for the legality in my area? I mean, I can get to DBs laws and such, but is it actually called "dumpster diving", or is it some other law that I ought to look for? Looking for to going tonight just to see if I can score anything (dunno when the trash runs are... probably friday :p). Thanks guys!

[Hanoverfiste]

FYI - When someone pulls their trash out to the curb for collection, its then considered public property. Happy hunting!

In New York it works this way, when garbage is out on the street corner it is still the property of the home owner (hence Police cant dig through it), when the garbage man comes to pick up the garbage so long as the garbage has not gone into the back end of the truck(which means after compacting) the garbage still belongs to the home owner. After compacting the garbage becomes property of whomever is picking it up, wether it be for the city or a private agency.

[modding_JunKy]

its illegal to DD in my city im sad now

[Scream And Fly]

Well, I didn't feel like attempting a dumpster dive at Best Buy or a similar place, so I went for a target within very easy reach... I went diving at a local Burger King tonight. Not as bad as I thought, once you get over the smell and roaches. Here's what my score was:

Twelve cold and complete Whoppers (two of them had bacon, and one was a double!)
Four half-eaten Whoppers
Sixteen orders of fries, mostly complete (some with ketchup)
A few apple pies (I ate them as I worked)
Tons upon tons of happy meal toys

Not bad, I would say. I plan on doing this every week so I'll never have to buy food again!1!11!!

(just kidding everyone)

:)

[salvationpcs]

dude thats jsut sick ;)

[dukeroo]

but dont forget construction sites,
my buddy got a 19' mtx audio subwoofer in working condition
and we got enough wood/nails to build a damn quality 3 story tree fort. the only thing i can think of that will take that down is either chopping the trees down, or a tornado.
(tree fort is furnished too [ :p )

[filthysanchez]

heres my tip:

school dumpsters.


theres a kindergarten over here, and i went to it and pulled out a working imac g3.
the only problem was the cd drive doesnt work.

i went back the next week and there was about 40 17 inch crt monitors, unfortunately they were wet : (

[DarkSide50420]

im so amazed at the positive feeling from you guys with dd'ing as i read all three pages i noticed someone say to avoid attention buy a cop car.. well why buy a cop when you can just become one? makes it a whole lot easier :D

a few tips...i noticed a few people saying go during the day and between 11pm-1am never do that.... maybe from 1am-4am but after or before that is just asking for jail time or a cop to stop you ... always wear black clothings i usually wear a long sleeve shirt and a thick heavy leather jacket and two pairs of jeans.. and go out to an hardware shop and spend some money on some good thick rough leather gloves.. as they will help alot better than rubber ones do...
always have a friend or two.. though ive been doing this for years and i now go by myself always so i get everything! :) yes theres usually heavy shit in there that i cant lift or get out so i bring a chain or rope with me and hook it to my van or truck and pull it out the hard way!

so far i would have to say my best find was a executive desk and chair
and let me tell ya.. if your going for a desk.. bring a truck and a peice of plywood to use as a ramp because those things can get heavy :p

local shops i search are bestbuy,officemax,officedepot,target,local computer stores,walmart, kmart,homedepot,and marshalls the only clothing store i go to :-D

oh and yes, im small enough to get in the compactors :-D

so if your in mississippi near the louisiana line drop me a pm and ill show you the routes! :-D

happy hunting...or should i say diving :p

[kill4killin]

Other tools that I have found useful are also items I have found on some of my expeditions.

1. box cutter (rather than knife)
2. army or work boots tend to give better foot protection
3. head mounted flashlight to keep your hands free
4. lock pick set and or bolt cutters

#4 I'll let you figure out what thats for ;-)

[l337*g0at]

Other tools that I have found useful are also items I have found on some of my expeditions.

1. box cutter (rather than knife)
2. army or work boots tend to give better foot protection
3. head mounted flashlight to keep your hands free
4. lock pick set and or bolt cutters

I listed #4 because RadioShack has gotten smart about the dumpster divers and has started locking their dumpsters in large storage trailers by where I live. Thankfully I happen to be rather proficient at lock picking and they use simple tumbler style locks and theyre rather easy. Another thing that they have started doing around here is they actually have an alarm system hooked up to the lockers that I have had to disable once or twice in order to get in. However, thankfully only one of the lockers has the alarm hooked up, the other is just locked up.


Dude... NO. NO NO. You are breaking the law hardcore now. The stuff that is in the radioshack storage containers is NOT stuff they are throwing out.
Now you have brought a perfectly good thread and ruined it with the talk of illegal activity.
THANKS ! :mad:

[gr!m]

DDing is illegal in most places and in most situations. The only things I've come across as legal are the "curb" style dumpsters where they are left out of pick up day. Even if digging in the dumpster is not illegal, tresspassing on property after dark usually is. I live in VA in the midlo area, anyone living near here ever DDed? I am interested in doing it myself.

[c.d.e]

DDing is not illegal in most situations and places, and I dare you to bring proof otherwise.

And to be fair, I used to work at radioshack, and they started (Then eventually stopped) locking the dump out back because the next door food places were dumping their stuff in our dumpsters. Like old food in the cardboard only dumpster. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have bothered with the locks and alarms if dd's don't leave messes or started returning junk that was thrown out (My old manager used to spray paint the stuff bright orange to prevent that).

[djBon2112]

In case you missed it... DO NOT TRY COMPACTORS!! IT WILL NOT WORK, AND IS ILLEGAL!
And extremely dangerous. Most can start without warning. Never even put your arm in one.

[Requiem]

DDing is not illegal in most situations and places, and I dare you to bring proof otherwise.

And to be fair, I used to work at radioshack, and they started (Then eventually stopped) locking the dump out back because the next door food places were dumping their stuff in our dumpsters. Like old food in the cardboard only dumpster. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have bothered with the locks and alarms if dd's don't leave messes or started returning junk that was thrown out (My old manager used to spray paint the stuff bright orange to prevent that).

I live in Encinitas, CA, and this is an excerpt from the municipal city code:

Q. No person, other than the owner thereof, owner's agents or employees, or an
officer or employee of this City, or any person holding a franchise with this City for the
collection or disposal of refuse, franchisee's agents or employees authorized for such
purposes, shall tamper or meddle with any solid waste container or the contents thereof, or remove the contents of any solid waste container or remove any solid waste container, from the location where the same shall have been placed by the owner thereof or owner's agent.

It sounds like it is illegal, and the other cities around here seem to have similar regulations. Does anyone know some city around my area that does not have these laws?

[Killermac]

Yes in Arizona it is illegal to pickup "curb" refuse. There was a lot of police callouts for curb fights over junk so they just banned it.

[SPARTAN VI]

Just spoke to my local sherrif's station and they said it's 100% legals as long as I'm not trespassing. Of course, I have to take the receptionist's word for it.. I know the sherrifs wont give a damn if they catch me and I tell them "well, I called the sherrif's station and she said..."

This is in Walnut/Diamond Bar, CA. Area code 91789.

[AciDeX]

"Garbage lacks in a sufficient value to form the basis of a vested property right so as to authorize a court of equity to enjoin the enforcement of a penal ordinance regulating its disposal.Urbach v. Omaha , ibid"

sounds pretty legal here to me... not like its stopped me before, I just gotta find a few new PC repair shops :D

[y3k]

Well, I didn't feel like attempting a dumpster dive at Best Buy or a similar place, so I went for a target within very easy reach... I went diving at a local Burger King tonight. Not as bad as I thought, once you get over the smell and roaches. Here's what my score was:

Twelve cold and complete Whoppers (two of them had bacon, and one was a double!)
Four half-eaten Whoppers
Sixteen orders of fries, mostly complete (some with ketchup)
A few apple pies (I ate them as I worked)
Tons upon tons of happy meal toys

Not bad, I would say. I plan on doing this every week so I'll never have to buy food again!1!11!!

(just kidding everyone)

:)

Actually me and my cousin tried something like that. Man those double cheeseburgers were great.:D It was a very clean operation.

[NeilFarted]

Dude... NO. NO NO. You are breaking the law hardcore now. The stuff that is in the radioshack storage containers is NOT stuff they are throwing out.
Now you have brought a perfectly good thread and ruined it with the talk of illegal activity.
THANKS ! :mad:

and thank YOU for quoting his original post, so that even after you admonished him and he decided to remove the offending material, i was able to read what was sooooo naughty that had brought a perfectly good thread and ruined it with the talk of illegal activity. keep up the good work!

[HvyMtl]

Ok, where I live (Nashville, TN) DDing is not illegal - as there is no city ordinance against it, yet. However, the landowner CAN press trespassing charges...

Check your local ordinances - this is getting easier, as more and more towns, villages, and cities are putting their laws on the web.

IF your town does not have a website, check the main library, as the code will probably in the reference section.

[Kais3r]

http://www.doylestownpa.org/police/html/askacop_edition_3.htm

Q: Hello, I was wondering what the township law dictates regarding the practice of "dumpster diving, " that is, collecting discarded trash from dumpsters and other waste receptacles. Thank you for your response. - Jason

A: There is no specific law prohibiting “dumpster diving” in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, assuming the goal of the person is to recover recyclable items. If the dumpster is locked or marked warning no trespassing, however, the practice would be prohibited. Also specifically prohibited would be the recovery of other persons identity items (credit card statements, bank information, etc..) – possession of these items would likely result in criminal charges.

Its legal in pennsylvania! That seriously just made my day, I might go soon.

[mustang_steve]

I live in Encinitas, CA, and this is an excerpt from the municipal city code:

Q. No person, other than the owner thereof, owner's agents or employees, or an
officer or employee of this City, or any person holding a franchise with this City for the
collection or disposal of refuse, franchisee's agents or employees authorized for such
purposes, shall tamper or meddle with any solid waste container or the contents thereof, or remove the contents of any solid waste container or remove any solid waste container, from the location where the same shall have been placed by the owner thereof or owner's agent.

It sounds like it is illegal, and the other cities around here seem to have similar regulations. Does anyone know some city around my area that does not have these laws?

that's just because you live in California.....I'm pretty sure there is an ordinance in most of those places banning breathing as well :p


There was such an ordinance in san jose as well, but the police ignored it. We saw many dumpster divers...one was a regular, he just went looking for electronics. One day he was searching as I was throwing stuff out so I asked him what he was doing. It turns out he was retired and likes making projects...so he rummages through the trash to get parts. It was cool talking electronics with the old guy, he really knew his stuff.

[burnin8r]

deleted

[Darkside]

mAN..i LAUGHED SO HARD WHEN THAT GUY SAID HE WENT INTO THE BURGERKING DUMPSTER :D

(post # 39)..HAHAHAHA..that shit was funny as hell.:p

[aShrubbery!]

... trash collection points? I mean where they collect and sort all possible materials and refuse?
Where I live there is a small collection point where I usually bring plastic bottles for recycling, and there is a reserved spot for all sorts of electronics.
I've found 3 intel p3 working computers with their cases, motherboards, HDD, CD ROM drives, processors (mostly pentium 3 processors), heatsinks. Usually if it too much trouble to clean I leave it.
Technically, nobody is allowed to take anything out because of health concerns, but I've made buddies with the custodians out there and they kind of turn a blind eye to it.

I have seen plenty of CRTs, but they are too dangerous to mess around with.

There is a landfill here in the area, and a part of that is reserved to all sorts of electronical equiment, and I mean everything. Piles of it, but that place is off bounds. Too many people to befriend there as they would probably keep an eye on each other.