DUMPSTER DIVING

One Man's Trash is
Another Man's Treasure

Oh yes...you've heard of the old saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure", this is most certainly true when it comes to urban survival. Always pick through everything. Forks, shoe laces, wire coat hangers, you name it chances are it'll come in handy eventually.

Pails, buckets, pots and even tin cans are a necessity when living off the grid. One helpful tip is to keep a variety of different sizes when it comes to the tin can. This way it becomes much more valuable than a single tin can alone. Tin cans makes it much easier to cook small meals such as soups & stews. A small fire is much easier to conceal and the smell of smoke is so minimal it's unnoticeable to many people and overlooked by others.

The Art of Dumpster Diving

Yes, there is art to dumpster diving. It's not a difficult trade to master. There have been maybe a bucket full of stories about "rags to riches" when it comes to dumpster diving, but on the other hand, there have been many, many, MANY stories about disgusting, disturbing, contagious and even fatal stories as well. I highly recommend nobody practice the art of dumpster diving.

LOCATION

Location is very important when it comes to dumpster diving. Although luck has a huge part on the dumpster divers finding something of value, repeated visits to a hidden, out-of-sight dumpster sometimes pays off. Kind of like playing the same slot machine. 

Now, many businesses and apartment complexes are now locking their dumpsters to defer dumpster divers from rummaging through their trash.

And rightly so. 

Unfortunately, because of a few, amateur dumpster divers, who leave a horrible mess behind, leave employers no option but having to pay their employees to pick up trash that was already thrown away. They could it themselves but that's not going to happen. Some public sanitation workers refuse to leave their truck to pick up trash sprawled about, that is of course, they are the cause. Very few public sanitation workers will bother to pick up a few items but that is up to their own discretion. 

GAS STATIONS

Gas stations sometimes have a surprising amount of valuable, usable goods. That is if these dumpsters aren't locked of course. Gas stations are best rummaged through at night. You'd be amazed what employees in these establishments throw away. Rations and other perishable foods are usually found in fairly good condition. However, be careful of toxic fluids that may have been spilled onto everything. Sometimes these acts are intentional to ward off dumpster divers. 

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: Everything has a smell.

If it doesn't look right, smell right, wrapped right or totally unfamiliar, chances are it's not safe to consume.

APARTMENT COMPLEXES 

Apartment complexes are always usually a gold mine. It's a like a flea market for hobos. Everything from food to clothes. Adult size shoes are a hot commodity when trading on your hobotrails. It might not be good idea to carry around children's shoes for the simple fact that it would bring the wrong conclusion to most. With that being said, a homeless, desperate mother would be extremely thankful.

Apartment complexes can also supply cooking ware. This is extremely valuable. Rummaging through dumpsters can bring lots of treasures. So much treasure that it may be impossible to carry all at once. A second, or even a third trip may be necessary.