Dumpster diving is nothing new. People in dire financial straits have been going through the garbage for years. Though recently, those without money problems are diving in order to minimize trash export and find great deals on items which cost loads of money retail. This “green” trend has been underground for the last several years, but it is slowly coming to the surface through some very thrifty college students. Many have made a lucrative business out of trading their trash and selling high demand items like DVD players and game consoles. “It’s mostly electronics and stuff,” says Sam Tietze, a student at the U of M. “I was able to sell them through Ebay.” How was the money? “Pretty decent,” he says. “My friend’s older brother found hi-def projectors which were still functional and sold them on eBay at $500 a pop.”

However, people don’t take the dive for only monetary gain. There is a plethora of consumable fodder in the dumpster. Yes, food. Actually, this isn’t rotting eggs people are scrambling for. Grocery stores throw away thousands of pounds of perfectly good food on average every year. The item in question is usually close to the expiration date or there is a flaw in the packaging. The item is deemed unfit to be sold and is disposed of. This issue has gained speed in the last few years, calling attention to the amount of food that is wasted by major grocer companies. Most divers are against waste in
general.

Many college students have dodged retail prices and found cheap furniture at the dumpster. Apartment complexes are prime diving zones. Moving tenants, whom are not able to keep some furniture, discard them in any visible place, where they become precious commodities for divers.

There are a select few “information divers” who will dive for bank statements or anything that has legal information on it. Discarded passwords and social security numbers are easy pickings for someone looking to steal an identity. Anything with personal information on it should be burned. A piece of paper could cost thousands in the end. Aside from that, dumpster diving is a relatively safe activity.

There are online forums where people around the world exchange tips and good places to salvage the best stuff. Check it out sometime if you’re interested. All you need is the drive to take the dive.

Dumpster diving is not for the faint of heart. Count on stepping into some slimy goo or encountering terrible smells. Here are a few tips and rules one should follow when taking the plunge:

• Grocery and retail stores are good diving locations. Seek
stores that sell items you want. They are in the dumpster
for a reason.

• Night is the easiest time to dive. However, avoid going after
midnight. Don’t look suspicious.

• It would be easier if you went with a buddy, someone you
know personally. Safety in numbers.

• If you’re spotted and asked to leave, don’t be a jerk; get your
ass out of there.

• A grabber stick comes in handy when rummaging through
the garbage. A flash light also works wonders for night
diving.

• Check your city’s rules on dumpsters. Some cities cite
dumpster diving as illegal. You don’t want to go to jail.

• Be persistent. You may not make great finds on every dive.
Just keep at it and you’ll find your treasure. X marks the spot