Dumpster diving is usually associated with people in the developing world who do it out of necessity. But since reusing or repurposing things destined for the landfill has environmental benefits, the activity has increasingly been seen as an environmentalist endeavor and is also practiced by pro-green activists.
So, to give you an idea of what you can find in another person’s trash, we decided to put together a list of pictures where scavengers show off their proud finds. From perfectly functioning electronics to well-preserved ball gowns, the possibilities are crazy!
#1 My Dumpster Find Of The Century. Meet Noodle
A friend of mine works at an Italian restaurant, and this lil guy just jumped into my car while I was waiting for said friend to leave work. He came out of the side of the dumpster with spaghetti and sauce all over him and walked right up to me like “Hey whats up?”
Image source: Arockilla
#2 New Find! Love It Already
Image source: Bobabooby
What makes these treasures even more valuable is the fact that the hunt can be really challenging.
In the United States, for example, the Supreme Court has made a decision that indirectly permits dumpster diving on public property, but it could still lead to fines or criminal charges because many local governments have ordinances banning or limiting the practice.
#3 Wife And I Looked Out Our Window Tonight To See This 75″ Samsung Smart TV Resting By The Dumpster
Works perfectly, sticker was still attached. We assume it was in our apartment complex’s clubhouse or was just too cumbersome for someone to move with, it was way heavier than expected. Just ordered a remote and stand 🙂
Image source: Recknepsuwu
#4 Went To My Favorite Dumpster
Pulled out a mid century bunk bed! Had no instructions, but my daughter and I ended up figuring it out.
Image source: GorillaGuru86
Rules vary by city and county, but generally, it is illegal to sift through dumpsters on private property, which is where most large dumpsters are located, especially those filled up by prominent retailers.
“Practically speaking, dumpster diving is almost always illegal,” said Jeff Ferrell, a professor emeritus at Texas Christian University who has written two books on scavenging.
#5 Student Move Out Season Is Upon Us
Image source: heckenyaax
#6 Found In The Alley. It Weighed A Million Tons, Because Those Pillars Are Real Marble
Image source: Literary_Octopus
#7 Epson Projector From School Dumpster
Image source: More-Action4647
In Wood River, Illinois, for instance, an ordinance introduced last year bans dumpster diving, with fines ranging from $100 to $750. Similar restrictions are in place in Sacramento, California.
In Montgomery, Alabama, an ordinance restricting dumpster diving allows it only between sunrise and sunset.
Other possible penalties include misdemeanor charges such as trespassing, littering, or property damage.
#8 Nice Little Find
295.6 grams of sterling! Someone was throwing it out at the dump.
Image source: Sweet-Astronomer-694
#9 Two La Creusets Left At The Dumpster By My Work Today
Image source: BigPoppaJay
In recent years, retailers and grocery stores have increasingly been locking up their dumpsters or placing them behind fences, blocking them from the public. Divers can run into trouble when they climb over a lock or decide to “break” into a trash bin.
Ferrell, who has been searching through trash bins for more than five decades, noted that it’s not always clear whether a dumpster is on private property. Therefore, he said, there’s always risk involved in scavenging, though he has never faced any serious consequences apart from an occasional fine.
“I’ve had police say, ‘We don’t really care, but we had to respond to the call,’” Ferrell explained.
#10 Pulled This Recliner Off The Curb And A 3DS Was Lodged In The Back
Image source: ikedriver2000
#11 My Work Threw It Away
My boss threw this in the rear of the store for storage ( to never use again). I asked him about taking it home and he let me. I dont have a key, but am looking for ways to pick it. Any thoughts? As far as I know, there is still quarters in it.
Image source: Bubbly-Sprinkles-206
#12 Spring Time Jackpot!
I haven’t posted my finds in a while because it seems to be the same snacks and junk food. This haul made me so happy I thought it deserved its limelight.
Image source: lebe4885
In recent years, dumpster diving has gained popularity, largely thanks to social media and an activist movement condemning corporate waste.
Ferrell, who no longer teaches sociology full time, spends a good chunk of his days dumpster diving. A few times a month, he brings carloads of clothes to homeless shelters, tools to community gardens, and pencils and pens to a nonprofit that supports local teachers.
“Every 100 pounds I pull out of the dumpster doesn’t go to the landfill, and every sweater I give to someone in need means one less sweater they’ve got to buy,” he added. “It’s good for everybody.”
#13 Dumpster Find
It blows my mind that it made it because it was at the bottom of the dumpster in a box full of glass, all the glass is perfectly fine and there was all kinds on top of it. And I even stepped on the box on accident before I picked it!!
Image source: Pretty_Middle5545
#14 Trash Find Of The Day
Came home and throw away something in our apartment’s just to find this in the dumpster. Seems like some bf or son got on the nerves of wife/mom.
Image source: zT_Trauma-
#15 One Of My Better Trash Finds
I found this and pretty much every other Nintendo system with all cords and controllers as well as an original PlayStation, Xbox 360 plus some games for the other systems also. It was all sitting in multiple totes on top of garbage cans in this neighborhood I would deliver to. I was so in disbelief that someone would actually trash all of it I saw a neighbor outside and asked them “this is trash right?” And of course they said “it’s in with their trash… so yeah I would assume it would be garbage” while giving me a “duhhh” look haha. Little did they know it was hundreds if not over a $1000 worth of video games!
Image source: Beneficial-Sun-5863
But why does so much perfectly good stuff lands in the trash? Rosalie E. Kerr, director of sustainability at Dartmouth College, blames the “Amozinification” of society.
“If you’re going to a party, and the theme of that party is the 1920s, you can go on Amazon and buy a plastic 1920s outfit for $17 with one click. And that’s really irresistible.”
“We have a lot of junk that’s in that category,” Ms. Kerr said. Eventually, whether it’s due to spring cleaning or moving, it ends up being thrown away.
#16 My Best Find So Far
My best dumpster find. Litter Robot 4. Fully intact and functional. Looks like they used it once. We ran a full cycle and it worked perfectly. $799 retail value. We sold it on Marketplace for $400 the next day. Lady who purchased is very happy with it.
Image source: DogMom1446
#17 Favorite Find!!!
Perfect size for our senior fur baby! And it matches his human’s jacket. Brand new!! Also found a gift card with $26 left on it, but nothing compares to the jacket.
Image source: Pitiful-Sprinkles933
#18 I Guess I Should Always Check The Boxes! Found In An Electrical Supply Store Dumpster
Image source: GauntletVSLC
#19 My Greatest Trash Find Of All Time Someone Threw Out A Ball Gown
And it fits! It had a small stain and a loose strap I fixed easily. I don’t really have anywhere to wear it but I feel like a princess.
Image source: RecentSprinkles5997
If you too want to give dumpster diving a go, you might want to wait a few months. A really good part of the season is right after graduation, when departing students throw away or simply abandon household items and luxury goods instead of donating them or taking them back home.
“It feels wrong for this much stuff to have been thrown out,” wrote Lena Geller, who found Valentino sneakers that retail for $980, a Tovala toaster oven, originally $390, and a Clear Home Design Lucite table, which could have cost as much as $899.
She lives in Durham and, in 2025, decided to do an experiment to see how much she could salvage after Duke University undergrads vacated the premises. She kept a spreadsheet of the roughly 70 items she found in the trash, estimating, after doing some research, that they originally retailed for $6,600 in total. The experiment showed just how much value gets discarded every year.
#20 Let’s Gooooooooo. Best Snag From The Bins So Far
Image source: Lopermania
#21 I Hit The Motherload!
I went to take out my trash tonight and found all of these! Some have tags some don’t. But omg this is awesome!
Image source: Chalupalup
#22 Just A Sneak Peak Of My Latest Dg Haul
Image source: vRaiven
#23 Nye Haul!
I live in an area with a lot of compactors, I was out for about 2 hours. Not sure if I’m excited or embarrassed.
Image source: Immediate-Cream-9995
#24 First Big Score
84 sincker bars, 22½ pounds of salmon, still frozen, 2 bags of mini bagels, 2 bags of brioche buns, 2 packs of bacon, 6, 10 pound bags of potatoes, 14 specialty seasonal cheese, 2 cheese blocks, bag of flour, 4 Cadbury fruit and but dark chocolate bars. Bit THE SALMON!!!!
Image source: queen_bee1970
#25 3 Nights Of Diving
Image source: smugman246
#26 Some Vintage Books I Saved From The Dumpster
Image source: Ecstatic_Trip_8305
#27 The Power Bestowed To Me By The Dumpster Gods Is Too Much To Bear For One Man Alone
Image source: Worldly-Pressure8535
#28 A Year Supply Of Toilet Paper And Paper Towels. Dumpster Was Generous Yesterday
Yesterday I went out for about 4 hours. That’s only a 40 minute round trip route but I had to sit and wait to get into my honey pots. It was well worth it. The photos area small selection of items brought home. All of the cold items I brought home were placed in the refrigerator. I don’t buy paper towels and my kid thinks they are for rich people.
Image source: Royal_Tough_9927
#29 Fancy Lil Lamp At My Complexes Dumpster
Image source: fentwatch
#30 Christmas Hams Hit The Dumpster Like Clockwork
I’ve been stalking my honeypot twice a day waiting for my hams. This year it took 5 days for them to get dropped. Two banana boxes with 7 hams , straight from the cooler box. It’s 20 degrees and my fingers are frozen. Hauldeeze never disappoints me. $30.00 hams and way out of my budget this year. The best part is they actually are the spiral cut kind. I fished out a few fruits and was on my way. My next stop I took 9 bags of cut collard greens. Many people here in the South cook them for new years eve. I went by the local dump ( local recycling center ) and gave the bagged greens and 3 hams to my favorite attendant. I stopped by earlier to dump trash and gave him a case of peanut butter and two packs of hanes t-shirts. This is a part time worker making 10 bucks a hour. I’m sure his family will appreciate it. Meanwhile I have a ham in the oven and I’m happy. The cat is happy too.
Image source: Royal_Tough_9927
#31 $200 Worth Of Candy!
Decided to stop at a regular spot of mine because I was in the area. Very happy with my two minute dive.
Image source: Useful_Experience613
#32 This Is My Third Load Of This Size, And Much More Left
Image source: BoBandy679
#33 My Dresser Totally Fell Apart Last Week But I Found This Beauty On The Side Of The Road Last Night
Image source: PaceIsTheTrick64
#34 There Was Twice This Much, But We Shared It Before We Got Home
Image source: wvwvwvww
#35 Welp First Stop Of The Day And This Happened
Image source: reddit.com
#36 Who Doesn’t Love College Move Out Day?
Image source: Jucarias
#37 Child’s Dream, Parents Nightmare. Crazy Find! Not Recalled Either!
Image source: Common_Relation_7694
#38 Second Haul Ever!
The first time was so fun that I went out again! I’m so glad I did because wow! Surprised and grateful! Whatever I can’t have will be donated!
Image source: oliverisadad
#39 Dumpster Finds??
Was driving in my buddies apartment complex the other day when I saw what looked like a tie fighter wing peaking out of a box by the dumpster. Walked over, ended up finding a box with all of these inside! Gave them a quick wash, good as new. Tried to be careful around the original stickers on the Slave 1 but there’s only a few left. Still can’t believe someone was just throwing these out.
Image source: LostAcross
#40 Maybe The Biggest Haul Yet
Image source: shlykova
#41 Felt Inspired By Recent Posts, Climbed In Last Night
Chopping the apples for ‘stewed apples’, then freezing chunks for smoothies. Going to mega-dice peppers and zucchini and portion-freeze for future saute. This haul helped me realize I’m not currently tapped into quick-turn mutual aid foodshare in my area (day shelters, warming rooms, community fridges). Researching so I can share the next one (and the next and the next).
Image source: DottyB26
#42 Amazing Find
I went diving last night in dale city area and came to find a huge score hiding there holy moly.
Image source: CelebrationOld6011
#43 The Other Nights Offerings From The Trash God
Just a few of the things that I was lucky enough to have found/rescued. The Starbucks gift card was in one of the purses and had $50 on it! Those boots are like brand new and my size. It’s crazy what they & the Dixxon flannels sell for. Definitely thankful.
Image source: Beneficial-Sun-5863
#44 Found These In The Dumpster
Tons of old school Anime & PS1 Games and game guilds (one of my best scores yet).
Image source: Kwf995
#45 Four Pairs Of Hoka
Image source: River_Historical
#46 Stopped By To Check A Dumpster On A Whim After Several Months Of Being On A Hiatus. The Homeless Shelters Are About To Have A Bunch Of Shower Shoes!
Image source: WhatAFineWasteOfTime
#47 Haul From This Morning!
Image source: PhysicalAd6651
#48 A Nice Lil Makeup Haul, Lots Of Gloss, And Vitamins!
Image source: RussianBusStop
#49 Recently Started Diving. Cut Our Food Spending By 90%
Image source: LivingMoreWithLess
#50 Saved Two Boxes Of These Cans
With the lids! No idea what I plan to do with them but I have 100s of them now.
Image source: Rosebudd100
#51 Curbside Grab Mostly Because I Wanted The Container, But Do Ty Beanie Babies In Good Shape Have Any Value??
Image source: Cult7Choir
