Q&A for How to Dumpster Dive

If there are no signs, then yes.

Let them know what kind of useful discoveries you can make and how many of them are still in perfectly serviceable condition. Reclamation is not the same thing as stealing. Consumer waste is a growing concern in many countries, and activities like dumpster diving, when practiced safely and responsibly, can help reduce the strain placed on the environment and benefit municipal areas where overaccumulation of trash has become a problem.

Try to go after the store's closing hours to avoid confrontation. Going before the store opens is not always a good idea, as the stock and receiving crew often work early hours.

Because dumpster diving is an uncommon and often unseen practice, most people are uneducated on the actual legality of it. However, the laws in your town may forbid unlawful trash retrieval, or the police could have been referring vaguely to other sorts of offenses like trespassing or invasion or privacy.

You really can't get rich from dumpster diving, but you may find working electronics, furniture, etc. that you can clean up/fix and sell on eBay, Craigslist, Facebook, or other local used listings.

A knife may be useful for opening sealed containers and freeing finds that are caught on other objects, but under no circumstances should they be wielded as weapons. You're already taking a big enough risk by going dumpster diving--the last thing you want is to end up guilty of threatening or hurting someone. Besides, you're not likely to encounter any kind of antagonistic resistance that would require you to defend yourself.

Nope. Dumpster diving is legal, and not controlled except when the dumpster is locked.

North Carolina State Legislation states that it is completely legal to salvage trash if no 'No Trespassing' signs are present at a business. That or locked gates/fences. Happy diving!

No. Since these are destined for recycling, they have a specific purpose and are therefore not public property. Stealing recyclable materials is punishable by fines or jail time.

It depends on the laws in your area. In places were it is legal, they may just ask you to move along. If they show up due to a complaint or if you are trespassing, you may get fined. It is best to find out your state and local ordinance laws.

If it doesn't state Private Property, or if it has no locks/gates, you can dive legally. GameStop has two dumpsters: one for trash, another for paper products. But you won't exactly find a gold mine of usable products; one time I got lucky with a internally damaged Xbox 360. Keep in mind that it is completely legal if no clear trespassing signs are present. But the employment may find your salvaging bothersome and change what gets dumped on purpose to discourage you.

No, a "delivery trucks only" sign means that you can't bring any vehicle other than a commercial vehicle where the sign is located.

Most Wal-Marts, and stores like them, have a trash compactor, which you DO NOT want to mess with. It could also be considered trespassing.

If there are no signs, then yes.

It may be possible to go to a library to view the schedule online. Try to figure out the company that manages the waste in that area, usually found on the truck, and search 'pick up schedule.' Or you could call as if you were researching companies to get service and just name the street.

Keep in mind that it's not the act of removing trash from the receptacle that's against the law, but rather being somewhere you're not authorized to be. It's not likely that anyone would care or even notice if you took it--just make sure you're careful, as you could be slapped with a trespassing charge if you're caught.

Getting stuck in any trash receptacle could lead to illness, injury or, at the very least, embarrassment. Make sure you have a plan for entering and exiting, prop open the lid or doors and don't climb into any dumpster that you're not certain you can get back out of.

Trespassing is trespassing whether an area is locked or not. If you don't have a right to be on the grounds, you're automatically committing a crime just by being there.

Make sure to wash it thoroughly and check for and holes or damage. Replacing stuffing is a good idea as well.

If it doesn't appear spoiled, then yes. If it's nonperishable, then don't worry about it.

It is legal statewide, but you cannot hop fences or go onto someone's land without permission. Some local governments have total or partial bans on the "hobby." Do some research on the area first.

Call your local police station and ask, or go to your local library and ask, they should have copies of any relevant ordinances.

A trash compactor will be bigger (normally) than a dumpster. They also look different. Do a Google image search for "trash compactor" and you should be able to see the difference.

Check your area laws. In most of United States, it is legal unless there are signs.

Ask the staff if you can take some computers/parts at the center. These may be donated items or stored for recycling, so ask before you take anything. (Be ready to pay a buck, however.)

Yes. The law says if it is thrown away and not locked in any way, it is of public domain.

Before you retrieve your item, please contact the owner of the receptacle it is currently in. Be polite, so as to not anger the owner and increase your chance of them understanding what happened and letting you retrieve your said item.

On the national level, yes, but check your local laws first.

As long as there are no "No Trespassing" signs present, it is legal.

Move all hard items into a corner and hop in the end with no hard or sharp items in it.