Hello guys…
I’ve heard about dumpster diving as a way to find useful items or reduce waste, but I’m unsure about its legality. Can anyone clarify whether dumpster diving is considered illegal in certain places or under specific circumstances? Are there legal implications or regulations I should be aware of before trying it out?
In some places, it’s legal if dumpsters are accessible without trespassing and no local ordinances prohibit it. However, in other areas, it may be considered trespassing or violating private property laws. Checking local regulations is essential; some cities even permit it for reducing waste and promoting recycling.
Finding a dive guide who has already dived is highly recommended. I’m from the west coast, and at a diving get-together one of my buddies just happened to show a number of us the ropes. He took us only to dive spots that are cool, or even promote it, so the legality issue was moot. He’s a vegan who was able to cut his monthly food expenses to under $20. His health was excellent, so disregard the other commenters. I never got over the grossness.
Show consideration for the store and follow their advice not to dive in.
I performed some study on this while working as a journalist. What I discovered is that it is largely handled at the local level. Cities and municipalities will have dumpster diving ordinances, which differ from many other regulations I’ve encountered because ordinances indicate when dumpster diving is permissible, whereas laws typically state when something is illegal.
Typically, if there’s nothing on the books, you’re free to dumpster dive as long as you don’t scale a fence or a barrier to get there.
Someone recommended r/DumpsterDiving; I’d look into the standard “unwritten rules” that come with it. Aside from that, call Tulsa City Hall and ask about what Ordinances might be in force. They will know exactly which way to point you.
Hello there. That being said, in the United States, the legality of trash diving is based on ownership.
Hello, as for me Dumpster dive is not illegal, actually it is legal depending once ownership.
I’d really recommend finding someone that already dives to show you around. . I’m from the west coast and one of my friends held a diving get-together where he showed a bunch of us the ropes just because. He only took us to the places that are cool with or even encourage diving, which made the legality moot. He’s vegan and was able to spend less than $20/month on food. I never got over the ickyness, but his health was great, so ignore the other commenters.
Be respectful and if a store tells you not to dive there then don’t.