I have never been dumpster diving for anything. But a lot of couponers hit them up for the extra coupon inserts.
And this blog is all about information, so I thought I’d share this article I found at We Use Coupons. They have an entire forum devoted to dumpster diving questions. This article is the 10 steps to Dumpster Diving:
1. First know your local laws. Some communities & states discourage trash picking. The Supreme Court has made it clear that trash is public domain, but communities can pass trash picking ordinances. Whether or not they will stand in court is something you don’t want to find out. But remember, dumpster divers cannot be charged with theft! Research the laws in your area or contact your local police department.
2. Get over yourself!! When I first started dumpster diving, I was so scared of the disease and filth. Make sure to first locate your paper dumpsters!! Recycling is a hot trend right now, and paper dumpsters are everywhere. Paper dumpsters are remarkable clean, and dry. Hardly ever do I find a foul odor or rotten food. If I smell something coming from the dumpster, I skip it, and go on the next one.
3. Locate the dumpsters. Companies like Paper Retriever have every dumpster online. You can type in your address and have a list of the 25 closest dumpsters to your address. Other companies around the country have similar websites. Call them and ask for a list. Even network with other people that do the same thing you do. Share tips and experiences with them and you’ll probably get some good tips in return.
4. Find the hot spots. The most common question I get about dumpster diving for coupons is: ‘Which day is best for dumpster diving?” The response is simple: it doesn’t matter the day, it matters the dumpster. In my experience, paper dumpsters that are in plain view of the public are heavily trafficked. They receive many more papers, and thus are loaded with coupons. Those dumpsters that are behind buildings and are not seen tend to be empty.
5. Wear the right clothes. I don’t use gloves but others do, so go get some good gloves and wear them whenever you go diving. If you’re going to actually enter a dumpster long pants are a must. They will help protect you from dirt and cuts. Dumpsters can get hot, and if you have shorts you will sweat, which will cause the paper to stick to your legs, not a great feeling. Protect your feet by wearing thick, fully-enclosed shoes or boots. Wear clothes that you don’t care too much about. In my personal experience I have never seen needles or other things in paper dumpsters. But I feel that being prepared is the way to go.
6. Equip yourself. Carry a milk crate or stepping stool to help you see and access the contents of dumpsters and bring plastic bags or small boxes to hold your coupons. The stepping stool will also help if you want to get into the dumpster, because most dumpsters are high and you will need a way in! Also be sure to bring a flashlight if you’re diving at night. Remember that you don’t have to dive right into a dumpster—bring along a long pole to poke around with or one with a grabbing apparatus on the end, and you may not need to venture in at all. Check this link for handy tools.
7. Make sure no one is around. This is a big one. I try to make sure no one see’s me enter the dumpster. I hate to have to explain what I doing. As long as you’re not breaking any laws, you don’t have anything to worry about. But you don’t want a confrontation. Divers are often confronted by walkers, shopkeepers or even homeowners, and rightfully so. If you saw someone whose behavior was out of the ordinary you would want to know what was going on. While a confrontation is no big deal if handled properly, you should still try to avoid it. I am often confronted, but I respond with a smile and that usually diffuses the situation. I always have a line ready or have boxes to throw out, saying ‘I’m moving and needs lots of boxes’. Rarely will people believe that I am diving for coupons, it’s a stretch. If you see people in the area, wait a while or avoid that specific dumpster.
8. Be quick. I usually only spend 20-30 in a really good dumpster. Less in empty ones. The more time you spend at a specific dumpster the higher likelihood that someone will come. You don’t want to spend the whole day in a dumpster either. The faster you can get in and out, the better.
9. Know what you’re looking for. When dumpster diving for coupons, I look for the funnies section, in the Sunday paper. I know what the coupon booklets look like and am quick to grab and stack. I usually bring a box with me, and place coupon inserts in the box so they don’t get lost as I search for more. I also get Coke codes, Pepsi points and box tops for education.
10. Keep the paper dumpsters in business! Return the coupon clippings back to the paper dumpster. We like to recycle. After you clip your coupons, return the clippings on your next trip. Many paper dumpsters are fundraisers for churches and schools. So by returning the clippings or replacing what you take, you help out the school and the environment, but you also help the company responsible for making money off the dumpster. We want to keep those paper dumpsters companies in business!! Because without them, we would have to frequent the regular smelling dumpsters!
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