Are dumpster cameras real?

[Coiny]

I was getting food from a supermarket dumpster. Suddenly, a box with garbage inside shifted and fell down.

It was too heavy to lift over my head (the pile was taller than me), so I put that bag with the rest of the garbage pile, and put the box back where it was.

How likely will the staff notice that the box became empty? I put everything else back like it was as much as possible.

[Goldielocks]

They will notice if you leave a mess behind, or are surprised/scared by you appearing in person. Otherwise, even with cameras, don't care.

But - if another starts to steal things, like metal or plastic (ie milk) crates, returnables, they will care who they see on camera.

[Coiny]

Thank you so much Goldie! How did you gain this knowledge? I'm a beginner, I've only done it a few times.

[Goldielocks]

Worked for major grocery chain for 10 years, from backstage, so I was in the meetings where they had to approve all sorts of things like cameras, and theft of milk crates and other items was a big deal in my role.

Store is too busy trying to sell items. Cameras are about theft, employee security, or people adding to their trash. Not removing it.

Be more careful with owner run small stores- I would ask first.

[Coiny]

Thank you, it's nice to have your perspective, such good advice! :)

[TheAnonOne]

Is getting to FIRE via dumpster diving really worth it at that point? Given that the FIRE # is based on how your living today, do you want to set yourself up for dumpster diving for life?

Seems like it would be easier to make a few extra bucks...

[tarheeldan]

Well, saving some money is not the only reason one might dumpster dive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xwLWb0lLY

[TheAnonOne]

Well, saving some money is not the only reason one might dumpster dive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xwLWb0lLY

I get that point, but I think the solution is more of an excuse at this point. One person dumpster diving hardly solves food waste, the store itself needs to sort and distribute these goods.

To each their own.

[MVal]

Worked for major grocery chain for 10 years, from backstage, so I was in the meetings where they had to approve all sorts of things like cameras, and theft of milk crates and other items was a big deal in my role.

Store is too busy trying to sell items. Cameras are about theft, employee security, or people adding to their trash. Not removing it.

Be more careful with owner run small stores- I would ask first.

Good to know and makes sense. I just started diving a few months ago with a friend and we were concerned about this as well. I always try to leave the area nicer than we found it.