hey!! i wanna try DUMPSTER DIVING but i don’t rlly know where to start (other than the, y’know, diving into a dumpster part)??? any tips/tricks/warnings/suggestions/etc. from a seasoned dumpster diver like yrself???? anything is appreciated thnk you!

Anonymous asked: hey!! i wanna try DUMPSTER DIVING but i don't rlly know where to start (other than the, y'know, diving into a dumpster part)??? any tips/tricks/warnings/suggestions/etc. from a seasoned dumpster diver like yrself???? anything is appreciated thnk you!

i was semi hesitant to reply to this. i mean, dumpstering rules and i love to talk about it and share my experiences!!!! but my reasons for being hesitant were that i dont wanna expose secrets about my or my friends lifestyles, and i know its given a status in some scenes as being “cool” and “bad ass” and “really punk” and i dont wanna be another person whos like “dumpstering is so easy and really anarchist, man” and sorta insinuating that those who do it are cooler then those who dont. but at the end of the day those who wanna dumpster will and those who dont wont, it aint pretty. it literally is just getting in a dumpster/bin and looking around and taking things. things to maybe be aware of and try to find out/think about when going to/trying to find good dumpsters are: is it any good and worth going back to? is it filled with bugs? has toxic products been poured over everything? how often is the bin emptied? has other people you know said things about it? what time does the store close or what time they throw stuff out? how do the staff/security respond to dumpster divers? can you only go at night or have to be super quiet? is the dumpster locked? if you go there and get caught/make a mess/take every single thing is it gonna ruin it for others that go there?
id say the last question is the most important to think about. when other people hav trashed the dumpster, or been caught or tried to fight security or gratified the entire bin or done things to expose it, it pisses me off!! dont ruin it for other people!!!
when in a dumpster and looking for food i also try and think about the following: whats the expiry date? whats the current temperature of the food? does it look off or totally gross or bruised? how much do i realistically need (you do not need 20 breadrolls!) ? will i eat it? is the packaging in tact?
sometimes i do get things that hav been opened or are loose or past their use by but i try n be smart about it, like i wont eat off cream or meat in a packet where the plastic has puffed up and i dont get drinks that hav been opened.
id say that im a really sucessful dumpster but thats just cause im hella dedicated and at times will go to dumpsters daily and i talk to other people about their experiences with specific bins alot and will organise dumpster trips with friends (like driving around n going to 5+ bins a night) and also cause i hella dig around and get covered in gross stuff and not give up. i think its one of those things where you get out how much you put into it. good luck!!!
<3