Dumpster Diving?

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-23-2006, 09:28 AM

I just want to know if anyone has done this and if so, what kind of things did you find?

I want to do this as I have done this before but a few years ago but since then we've moved (bought a house) and dont know the "nicer" section of our city's trash pickup days ... I mean it's alot easier to know this since you can schedule a day to go dumpster diving late at night on the night before trash pickup.

Any ideas?

~Tracy~

**Emerald_Mommy** · 01-23-2006, 11:15 AM

I haven't done any. I'm not against it, I just have never taken the time. I've been tempted to stop for things already at the curb on trash day but I've never done that either. Maybe one of these days...

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-23-2006, 11:31 AM

I know a few years ago we happend by a large curb full of stuff people were throwing away, we found an antique dresser with the dove tail joints, it was beautiful, so we re-finished it and it came out nice!

I think I am gonna try it one of these days, just drive by some homes and see what they are throwing away...

~Tracy~

guest7 · 01-23-2006, 01:00 PM

I wouldn't 'dumpster' dive but I would pick up cast offs on the curb. And if I toss something out to the curb- I'm more than happy that someone comes by and picks it for their use.
I always get a little embarassed to pick up stuff though. And I want to get out of there in a hurry.

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-23-2006, 01:05 PM

That's how I am... so I go with hubby and he usually takes the heavy stuff...

I haven't dumpster dived.... just curb picked?

Sometimes other people's trash is another persons treasure!

~Tracy~

**sunshine** · 01-23-2006, 01:16 PM

I live in the stix, so not much opportunity here, but I have dumpster dove on my way home from work occasionally.

I've gotten:

From Aldi's-- juice boxes with one box opened, the others were completely sealed, fruit with a few bruises but still edible, fruit snacks with the box opened and missing some of the snacks-- but I still got 7 or 8 packages from a 10 package box.

From Office Max-- reams of paper, not sure why they were tossed, 3 ring binders, 2 pocket folders, pencils and pens (packages were opened), , . . .

From JoAnn's - fabric remenents, out of season items and decorations, sewing thread, embroidery thread, trims

**kaykwilts** · 01-23-2006, 01:30 PM

Joanns usually locks their dumpsters but one time they didn't and I found several of those wire garden art things that were marked $15.00 each. I found three and quickly grabbed them.

I usually find stuff at the residential dumpsters. I don't climb in those natsy things but will pick up good stuff if left beside the dumpster or is within easy reach on top of the dumpster provided it's not nasty or anything. I have found bunche of good stuff--clothes, books, big Little Tike toys, toys, beautiful ferns, clay pots and even furniture. The best time to go is in the evening after yard sales have been held. People put stuff that doesn't sell in the dumpsters.

**Pepper** · 01-23-2006, 03:31 PM

I have actually never had a major score from doing this. Mind you I do not go in the dumpster either. My sis did get two lamps from the Rent a Center dumpster. They are beautiful. I couldn't figure out why they threw them out!

guest7 · 01-23-2006, 05:28 PM

Wow!! I'm going to hide behind Joanne Fabrics! Never knew they threw stuff away like that! I always thought I was the person who scored it for 90% off! LOL

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-23-2006, 05:38 PM

Me too! We have a Rent-A-Center here too and I know they dont lock their dumpsters since I used to go there for boxes.

Tracy

**missmollymayhem** · 01-27-2006, 08:27 PM

I've never really found anything great. I have a friend who DD's Staples and once found a bunch (200+) of software which was de-boxed and chucked in the trash, still shrinkwrapped to the cardboard that was inside the box. She took it all, sold it on Ebay, and made $3900.00!!!!!!! She's my hero, LOL She paid off her credit card with it!

**dolphin** · 01-28-2006, 01:15 PM

Wow missmolly your friend did awesome on that find!

Most business around here lock their dumpsters. We don't have a lot of big name stores here like JoAnns or Staples and we aren't allowed to put out more trash than our 96 gallon trash cans will hold unless we are paying for a bulk pickup so people don't usually put things beside their trash here. So we don't get to do much dumpster diving around here.

The carpet stores are always fair game here and lots of my friends have gotten some really nice and much needed carpet from there.

When I lived in Missouri I lived near a garment factory that made coats for Bass Pro and I used to get unbelievable fleece and nylon remnants from their dumpster. I sure miss that....

**madhen** · 02-24-2006, 05:50 PM

I have never done it, but having lived in an apartment complex for years before I bought my home, I would suggest checking those out! I used to see stuff ALL the time that people would leave out by the dumpster. When people move out, a lot of the time they don't want to be bothered packing stuff up or trucking it to Goodwill.

One tip, though, is that it almost has to be a daily thing. I never saw anything nice out there for more than a few hours, or a day at most. Other apartment dwellers, or street people, or bargain hunters, all have the same goal!

When I lived in so Cal, I used to walk my dogs in a big undeveloped area just outside of town. This area was full of garbage from people doing unauthorized dumping. I have to admit that I found some really cool things there! Some of it had to be cleaned up or painted, but people dump just about everything! My best find was a really pretty wrought iron chair that was missing a seat. The whole frame was wrought iron, and it was totally rusty. I took it home, sanded it off, painted it gold, and used the seat (which was round) to put a planter in. Looked FANTASTIC! :-)

**starsapphire** · 02-26-2006, 12:44 AM

I've never been dumpster diving but DH worked at the transfer station (read: dump, except they ship all refuse away) at the next town over and brought home some cool stuff. He was the guy you paid your money to, to dump your trash. The good stuff got set off to the side before it ever reached the dump bins. Some stuff we kept and some got sold on Ebay. The one thing that stands out in my memory is an old radio from the '30s I think that we sold on Ebay for $80.

**crdurham** · 02-26-2006, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by frugalfanny
I wouldn't 'dumpster' dive but I would pick up cast offs on the curb. And if I toss something out to the curb- I'm more than happy that someone comes by and picks it for their use.
I always get a little embarassed to pick up stuff though. And I want to get out of there in a hurry.

When my neighbor died and her kids were going through the house, they sit all kinds of things out.....as soon as they were gone...over there I went. I found several things I could use....I have only stopped at houses I didn't know maybe once or twice.