Dumpster Diving to Save Money – Really?
Dumpster diving. Is it the solution to all our problems? This is a popular practice where fine folk rummage through garbage and take whatever they feel could be of use to them.
The saying about one man’s trash being another’s treasure comes to mind. Dumpster divers can be a diverse group of the population.
Often they’re people who are in dire need of some food, other times, they’re university student who would rather rummage through garbage than go back to the living hell that is working at a supermarket or fast food chain.
It’s starting to gain some street cred out there, with artists building their reputations of their witty and original use of discarded items to create artworks. Apparently you can also be a garbologist (Mother to son: “What do you want to be when you grow Timmy?’, son to mother, ‘A g-g-garbologist Mummy. What kind of university degree offers garbology as a subject? What do you do on career days? It’s an overwhelming concept), where you investigate the sociology and archeology of what is left in a garbage bin. Who knew? In this crazy postmodern world of ours, bins have become significant cultural items.
Very often it’s driven by a very real need. Often it’s driven by the frugality mindset that students and Super Savers get into. Most of us do it to a lesser extreme. Who here can honestly say they don’t rummage through the things people put out on the side of the road? It’s not quite the same as diving through the skip out the back of your local watering hole, but it works from the same ethos.
I’m not adverse to a bit of kerbside cruising myself. Just this year I have managed to pick up a wine rack (usually empty but quite good at holding letters), a chair (broken quite quickly after acquired, due to house party) and a CD rack. I think with guilt of all the things I have thrown away because I couldn’t be bothered to walking to the nearest charity bin.
How to dumpster dive
So I say get to it. If any of you would like to start, I’ve constructed a step-by-step guide to effective diving.
Step One
Map out your diving route. Think about where would be best to dive in your area. For instance, I imagine that diving somewhere in the Eastern suburbs would yield some pretty sweet results, whereas if you dove in the dumpster behind my place in the inner west, you’d probably only find rats and empties.
Step Two
Schedule your dive. Early morning or late at night are usually the best times, and when an innocent diver is least likely to be troubled by pesky neighbourhood watch types.
Step Three
Arm thyself. Gloves and a long pole are essential.
Step Four
Take a deep breath, check all your equipment is working and plunge on in. Not all divers jump into the bin, often they use the pole (see Step 3) to discover their treasure.
Step Five
Clean up after yourself. It’ terrible dive etiquette to leave a dumpster messier than you found it.
So is dumpster diving frugality gone wild? I don’t think so. I’m all for people using what would otherwise go to waste. Whatever rocks your boat. After all, I like ABBA. Who am I to judge?
Would you ever dumpster dive, and what would you dive for?
I know many people wouldn’t, but it’s fun to think about regardless!
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