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Within the past couple of months, I have met a group of people who are somewhat radical. They told me about some good places to dumpster dive, one being a store I live across the street from. Last night I strolled over to the store and found a smorgasbord. Without even digging around, I saw apples, squash, and dry pasta. Theres currently plenty of food in my kitchen, however I may have to resort to dumpster diving before the summer is over and I know I'll be fine.
Has anyone done it before? How did you enjoy it? etc, etc.
I have a friend that does it here in Nashville, though I've never done it. He basically does his grocery shopping in local dumpsters. Of course, be wary of what you pick up when it comes to fruits/veggies, but dry goods, and breads especially, are usually a good find! So many grocery stores dump perfectly good items out each night because of policies. I don't believe dumpster diving is illegal here in Tennessee (in-and-of itself, but it may be considered trespassing), but check your local laws just to be sure.
I know that's become relatively popular here, to the point where some businesses placed padlocks on their dumpsters. There was a whole front-page article in the paper about it a while back. One of the freegans they talked to said businesses usually didn't mind, so long as dumpster divers didn't make a mess.
^^ haha, yes, the people I know do call themselves "freegans". It was also on the front page of th epaper here back in December (complete with my friend, digging for broccoli in a dumpster with a headlamp on). It's not illegal here, and my friend has never encountered any problems.
The closest I've ever done to dumpster diving is checking out the Goodwill dumpster one night. We didn't take anything though. Goodwill (used to have this policy, don't know if they still do) has days that they do not take donations of certain things. For example: Tuesdays could be the NO BIKE days, so if you donate a bike to Goodwill on Tuesday, they toss is to the dump. The "no bike" day must have been the day we visited the dumpster because there were bikes everywhere, most in decent condition.
^^^Freegans have become quite a fad. I actually like the idea of not wasting and living off the waste of others. It's amazing how much usable stuff gets thrown away. In big cities you can easily eat and eat well from dumpsters, once you know where to go.
Before they require manned dump sites in TN, we used to just throw garbage in dumpsters along side the road (in the country anyway.) I've found entire Craftsmans tool sets (which for those of you that don't know, are guaranteed for life so you can go in any Sears and get a new one if it's broken.) I got the bicycle I rode through most of college from a dumpster.
^^ It is bulging cans that have botulism. Bacteria produces gases that make the can bulge. This rarely happens now due to modern sterilization processes and most cans have expiration dates.
Dented cans got the reputation as dangerous because it is hard to tell if they are bulging. Dented cans are okay if they are within the expiration date and are not leaking.
Last Edit: May 20, 2008 15:50:04 GMT -5 by troo - Back to Top
Post by ilostmyunicorn on May 20, 2008 15:51:15 GMT -5
You are right about the bullge, but if we are talking about dumpster diving I think the dents can be dangerous. When a can is dented near a seam or a junction, it makes it possible for air to enter A sharp dent can cause a pinhole in the can, which could also allow air to enter. This air, combined with the moisture in the can, allows the growth of microorganisms. These microorganisms cannot be killed by cooking. Consumption of this food could potentially result in botulism. Cans that are bulging or have rust that will not wipe off are also deemed unusable. I took a 5 hr class on food diseases. YAWN
Post by strumntheguitar on May 20, 2008 17:18:42 GMT -5
I've never even once in my life considered digging through a dumpster for food. I suppose I've lived a sheltered life
I do, however, take advantage of free coffee/muffins/scones at a coffee shop before they toss them in the dumpster just by sticking around and occasionally helping clean the place up as they're closing. I prefer the pre-dumpster diving food personally
Good point. I hadn't thought of all that. I humbly defer to your expertise. ;D
Thanks. Since I took that serve safe test I think about dumb stuff like that. I worry about these feegans, some things may look 'Okay' to eat but people can really sick.
Haha my friends don't call themselves freegans. I've never even heard of that term until it was mentioned in this discussion. They consider themselves anarchists/Marxists/hippies/etc. Thank you for the advice about the fruits, veggies, and canned goods. I will definitely keep that in mind next time I go diving.
The extent of my dumpster diving primarily involves alcohol-related establishments.
In my junior high days, there was a beer distributor about a block and a half from home. The neighbor kids and I would come home with posters of bikini girls, O'Douls clocks and stuff like that. You know, classy stuff...
The only dumpster diving I've done in my adult life scored me a four-pack of stools from a recently closed bar.
I tried DD a couple times when I was in middle school and I only found cardboard boxes. However, I now have freedom and knowledge to result in more useful spoils. The hour is soon approaching in which I find my riches.
i went from garage sales every weekend during the spring to finding whole foosball tables and pinstripe couches in the trash. i love diving in those dumpsters. people will throw away anything.
Post by Steel_City_X on May 29, 2008 8:02:50 GMT -5
In college a roommate worked at a french bakery and would bring home bags of croissants, yummy.
Lots of places try to sort out the things they "have" to throw away. As they say -"one mans trash is another mans treasure"
I've known people to leave food goods in places people can find them. The whole health department regulations and thus the in ability to recycle food is frustrating in a time of economic problems.
Even as children we understood recycling food. I was told - "finish your food, there are starving children around the world." my reply - "send it to them" We have to figure out how to recycle food for the homeless, poor, or others.
I've never even once in my life considered digging through a dumpster for food. I suppose I've lived a sheltered life
I'm with you strum.
I'm just not cut out for it.
can I join this party? I mean I am guilty of driving down the street and if someone is throwing out something good and useful - I will stop and grab it.
^^same. If it's been sitting in a dumpster, I think I'll pass.
I was surprised how much stuff people left behind at Roo - I saw tons of perfectly good tents, coolers, sleeping bags, grills, cases of beer, tarps, chairs and other stuff get abandoned; it was strewn all over the place on Monday. If I had had more room, I probably would have grabbed some stuff to take back.
My bathroom window overlooks the back of a shopping center so i have observed alot of people doing this. The craft store dumpster is very popular and i can understand getting stuff outta there cause there is nothing wrong with the stuff they throw out, but i really dont see how people stick their head into the save-a-lot (grocery store) dumpster. I cant even walk 20 within twenty feet from it in the summer without gagging. even if something went into that dumpster clean i'd call it suspect by association.
Post by Fishing Maniac on Jun 21, 2008 10:06:09 GMT -5
I had punk friends who used to dumpster dive, but for stuff not for food. I was once out of work for 6 months, living in an apartment with no heat, not hot water and no electricity. I never once ate out of the garbage. If you can afford a computer with which to post on the internet you don't need to scour through dumpsters for food.
;D
