Author Topic: High End Dumpster Diving  (Read 7923 times)

mm1970

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High End Dumpster Diving
« on: February 07, 2015, 08:24:36 PM »
http://www.wired.com/2015/02/high-end-dumpster-diving-matt-malone/

I'm both impressed with this guy and horrified at the stuff that gets thrown away.

TinyLightsBelow

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2015, 09:30:45 AM »
I loved reading that article, though I am worried that how public it is will encourage even more companies to use trash compactors instead of dumpsters, rendering items incapable of being recycled. I know a lot of clothing companies, for example, will slash their clothes to bits before they throw it away so that dumpster divers cannot wear or resell it. It is so against the capitalist system that someone can have a successful life without BUYING things, or buying them from private individuals rather than corporations, that corporations will choose unbelievable waste over responsible reuse. Siighhh.

2lazy2retire

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2015, 10:48:29 AM »
Nice bit of PR work there Malone

Imerz

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2015, 12:49:33 AM »
I still feel a hint of pride every time I go past the Walgreens dumpster in my hometown.  Due to my families dumpster diving efforts, the company invested in a new 6' fence, a "NO TRESPASS" sign, a high end video camera, and a lock that is religiously placed and checked.  All to stop the pilfering of their disposed goods.  "Why?" one might ask, because at the time (8-10yrs ago) every returned item was simply thrown away, as well as recalls, expired products and more.  Unbelievably wasteful and unbelievable luck for a broke kid.

Shor

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2015, 02:05:25 PM »
I still feel a hint of pride every time I go past the Walgreens dumpster in my hometown.  Due to my families dumpster diving efforts, the company invested in a new 6' fence, a "NO TRESPASS" sign, a high end video camera, and a lock that is religiously placed and checked.  All to stop the pilfering of their disposed goods.  "Why?" one might ask, because at the time (8-10yrs ago) every returned item was simply thrown away, as well as recalls, expired products and more.  Unbelievably wasteful and unbelievable luck for a broke kid.
Eventually the ultimate dumpster divers will simply start their own dump trucking company. They will organize and sort the bins by retail location and location in a warehouse. They allow customers access (for a small fee) to pick and sort through the trash before it heads on to the landfill. Million dollar idea... until retail companies try to charge the dumping company for hauling out their 'inventory'.. what an odd dynamic.

Wings5

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2015, 12:58:54 PM »
Wow, that's a wild article. In college I used to collect consumables that fellow residents would throw away. I don't think I ever paid for laundry detergent.

Mr Dumpster Stache

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2015, 07:07:43 PM »
Big cities are awesome! My small/medium sized town still provides lots of opportunities (I have a box full of Kurig machines in my garage to fix and sell) but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do 600k.

Groceries are my big "secret." Thousands of dollars of excellent food get thrown away every week, even at a small grocery store. Unfortunately, a lot of them are going to compactors. Until then, bon apetite!

PencilThinStash

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2015, 11:48:27 AM »
I remember my dad trash-picking a practically new bike for my little sister when I was a kid, and getting so embarrassed that he would want someone else's garbage...

Now I read this article, and it's strangely inspiring. It's official, I've turned into my father.

MillenialMustache

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2015, 02:32:53 PM »
I love getting stuff off the side of the road, meant for the garbage. Many things in my house were found this way. I am trying to think of my favorite thing - probably my desk that I love. I love the idea of dumpster diving...wonder if I can talk my DH into it?

Mr Dumpster Stache

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2015, 12:14:55 PM »
You guys got me inspired last week! Here's some pics of the weekend haul:

https://mycorneroftheprairie.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/a-dumpster-haul/

kite

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Re: High End Dumpster Diving
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2015, 04:54:58 PM »
My sister calls it "the Pickens" as though her route for dumpster diving was it's own store.  Where'd you get those jeans? The Pickens.   Ooh, new kitchenette?   The Pickens.  Sal-A or yard sale requires payment,  but consistently better quality stuff is simply thrown away.   We live not far from one of the Ivies, and those students throw out everything when they leave.  Some higher end detritus is left after an estate sale or auction.   If nobody bid, it's left behind on the curb.  Gotten some great antique furniture,  canning jars and house plants that way.