Dumpster Diving (Tips and such)

[hey]

Depends on the jurisdiction. Usually once it makes it to the curb, it's considered abandoned property but some places consider it trespassing or Burglary if you enter a receptacle that's been locked/behind a gate/plainly marked with a "No dumpster diving" or "No trespassing". Edit: It's also illegal to take something out of a recycling bin. I think it's because there's some kind of federal reimbursement or tax relief for large companies who have recycling options.

Taking trash is never illegal, in the usa. It is sometimes not possible to legally do so, because it would require trespassing, but if you can get to a dumpster without trespassing anywhere, you are always free to take anything you want. Even in the case of trespassing though, taking discarded property is still not illegal.

oh very good point, I forgot we're dealing with people that do not like doing things that take actual effort or doing such absurd things like "work"

Or maybe they just don't want to do that much work. You see, most people have a certain amount of time they are willing to spend working. Most people don't want to spend 16 hours working, just to spend the other 8 of the day sleeping. However, if they're already working 8, and can't get more hours, perhaps, maybe it's possible they're still willing to work another hour or two each day. One way to do that, would be dumpster diving.

Minnesota Tennant Company v. Advance Machine Company

This is not at all relevant.

Missouri Valley, Missouri

A quick search turned up

the council approved Resolution 06-10, "A Resolution Making it a Simple Misdemeanor to get into a Dumpster that Doesn't Belong to You or Your Business."

If this is accurate, that doesn't even make what is being discussed here illegal. No one is literally diving into dumpsters.

Layton, Utah

I like how they give an exception for the police. Fine, you got this one, but there's no way it'd hold up in court if anyone challenged it.

[miokomioko]

The laws against accessing dumpsters and the reasons behind businesses locking their shit is almost entirely because they don't want people dumping their mattresses and other large junk in the dumpster they pay a lot of money every month to have. We max'd out the dumpster at the studio I used to work at and to get garbage company to swing by and empty it an extra time before the scheduled day of the week costs several hundreds of dollars.

Otherwise there are no laws about taking anything out of someone else's garbage unless you're going to assume trespassing/breaking & entering as part of it.

[Tweek]

Otherwise there are no laws about taking anything out of someone else's garbage unless you're going to assume trespassing/breaking & entering as part of it.

except of course for the laws I already posted

[Kohan]

panty essentials

This thread was over a long time ago, folks. You can all go home now.

[hey]

except of course for the laws I already posted

Sure, a couple of city wide bans. That hardly counts for anything though.

[FNH]

Is it really that hard to imagine that if someone saves money on food, they have more money to spend on other things?

If their priorities are that skewed we would have issues.

[RKenshin]

If their priorities are that skewed we would have issues.

Not caring about what you eat above all else is a skewed priority?

I'm not defending dumpster diving, but pretty sure that means the majority of Americans have skewed priorities.

[Yugl]

Not caring about what you eat above all else is a skewed priority?

I think you're taking the wrong side. Seem as if FNH is arguing that they should prioritize the quality of their food over the additional products they can buy with money saved by sacrificing the quality of their food.

[FNH]

Not caring about what you eat above all else is a skewed priority?

I'm not defending dumpster diving, but pretty sure that means the majority of Americans have skewed priorities.

Choosing to save your money by digging in the dumpster for food, while using said saved money on material goods is not good.

[BaneTheBrawler]

By that logic, not going to a 5-star restaurant every night means my priorities are out of whack.

[miokomioko]

except of course for the laws I already posted

Yeah, unless anyone here lives in Missouri Valley, Iowa or Layton, Utah they can ignore these rare city ordinances.

From what I read, nothing actually came from the case in Minnesota other than collecting damages because someone used the information found in their trash and used it against them (completely irrelevant to the discussion).

Of course, we're just talking about the US here. It's a much different story in Italy, Sweden, Scotland, etc.

[Ksandra]

By that logic, not going to a 5-star restaurant every night, but deciding to wear clothes instead means my priorities are out of whack.

ftfy

[edit] to clarify, I don't think I could ever ever take food out of a dumpster. But I think some people have their horses too high

[RKenshin]

By that logic, not going to a 5-star restaurant every night means my priorities are out of whack.

If you think that caring about what you eat means you only go to 5-star restaurants every night, you missed the point.

This is side-tracking from the topic of the thread, but the point is that we're (Americans) not exactly known for our healthy diets and enjoyment of fast food only in moderation. You're kidding yourself if you truly believe that this country regularly prioritizes healthy, quality food over price/effort.

Ironically enough, I'd even wager most sensibly picked 'dumpster food' is not all that less likely to be far worse for you/exposed to mold/rot/spit/the floor/bugs/mice, be low quality or generally unhealthy than you can find in some if not many fast food restaurants. Not equating the two of course, but you get the point.

[BaneTheBrawler]

Ironically enough, I'd even wager most sensibly picked 'dumpster food' is not all that less likely to be far worse for you/exposed to mold/rot/spit/the floor/bugs/mice, be low quality or generally unhealthy than you can find in some if not many fast food restaurants.

That sentence gives me a headache, but I see what you're saying. I think. That sentence is just confusing.

I THINK you're trying to say that the food people are pulling out of dumpsters is of comparable quality to the average disgusting fast food joint. Which entirely depends on the place being dived. Sure, doritos are bad for me... but if I'm going to eat them I might as well eat them for free 3 days after their "expiry" date than shell out cash for the same damn thing. Otherwise... most of what's being recovered is actually healthier than fast food. Bread/pastries seem to be the most common food pick mentioned, with fruit/veggies close behind. (And canned goods unmentioned but probably high on the list- dented cans don't sell) Even if you count the guy talking about eating food that shared a package with a single moldy fruit, it's still healthier than fast food. The digestive system is designed to deal with mold spores. It is not designed to deal with polyhydrocarbonaticinathonitron B.

Also, I was referring to FNH's logic.

[FNH]

Also, I was referring to FNH's logic.

No you took that logic and jumped to the extreme.

[Ishido]

I like how

Choosing to save your money by digging in the dumpster for food, while using said saved money on material goods is not good.

Instantly becomes "spend all of your money on expensive food to the exclusion of other necessities."

[RKenshin]

That sentence gives me a headache, but I see what you're saying. I think. That sentence is just confusing.

I THINK you're trying to say that the food people are pulling out of dumpsters is of comparable quality to the average disgusting fast food joint. Which entirely depends on the place being dived. Sure, doritos are bad for me... but if I'm going to eat them I might as well eat them for free 3 days after their "expiry" date than shell out cash for the same damn thing. Otherwise... most of what's being recovered is actually healthier than fast food. Bread/pastries seem to be the most common food pick mentioned, with fruit/veggies close behind. (And canned goods unmentioned but probably high on the list- dented cans don't sell) Even if you count the guy talking about eating food that shared a package with a single moldy fruit, it's still healthier than fast food. The digestive system is designed to deal with mold spores. It is not designed to deal with polyhydrocarbonaticinathonitron B.

Also, I was referring to FNH's logic.

Yeah, that sentence was pretty all over the place. Rushed it. But you got the gist of what I was saying right. I wasn't necessarily equating dumpster food to fast food, but yeah; you got the point.

I misunderstood your original sentiments as well, thought you were referring to my post.

[hey]

Choosing to save your money by digging in the dumpster for food, while using said saved money on material goods is not good.

Only because society has taught you only hobos dig through dumpsters. Sorry, but happiness is pretty important, and contrary to popular belief, money most certainly can buy it.

[Meresgi]

http://www.nj.com/weblogs/beach/pics/snooty.gif

Sums up a lot of people in this thread.

[archibaldcrane]

I'm just stoked about being called a Kardashian for not EATING FOOD OUT OF A FUCKING GARBAGE DUMPSTER.

This thread has delivered beyond my greatest hopes.