How To Dumpster Dive Safely
Dumpster diving is something that tons of people do for one reason for another. It is a great way to get a lot of stuff for free, even expensive things, and even be able to resell them in order to make money.
I make some money by doing this. I have heard of a couple of people who have even done this full time, making enough money to pay all of their bills. So this is a great way to be sustainable, and also to make money, which is becoming harder and harder in this crap Capitalism-dominated world.Â
So what are some things that you can do to help to look through the dumpster safely?
1. If you do not have to go inside the dumpster, don’t!
I have been dumpster diving since I was 13 years old, and I am almost 30 now. I have never in my life climbed into a dumpster, and it will make solid gold bricks to get me in one.Â
Instead, get a grabbing tool. For me, this tool is a bent hanger. This works for about 95% of everything I have found of value thus far. Then again, I mainly deal in clothing. So consider buying a specific tool for this called a grabber. I recommend purchasing one on Ebay, or on a site like Poshmark. Just make sure you buy it used for the most sustainability.Â
Animals love dumpsters. They often have free food for them. So if you are afraid to confront an animal, who may not retaliate out of fear, hit the side of the dumpster softy to scare them out first. The last you want is to look through a dumpster only to be confronted with a stray cat or a squirrel.Â
This should go without saying. If a dumpster has a fence around it, it is off limits. Do not trespass just to get some stuff out of the trash. Jail is never worth whatever you are going to find in there.Â
Just in case, you should make sure to wash up after taking anything out of a dumpster. The walls and floor of the dumpster is often nasty. So make sure you do not get sick by making sure to wash up, especially after you have been in a dumpster.Â