Basic rules for dumpster diving: I
usually avoid opening bags, I usually scan the top of a bin, knock a
few things around and see what's obvious. I feel bags carefully, if
they feel like clothes I open them to see. Careful about bags, always
lift them from the top knot, pinch a corner or use a stick to turn
them over if you have to. Some people, though they shouldn't, throw
dirty needles
into garbage cans and bins, so they are always a potential hazard. If
there's clothes and/or other useful items in a bin that you don't
want, it's traditional to leave an article of clothing draped over
the side of the bin to let other potential divers know that it's
worth checking out. It's the scavengers equivelent to squatters'
rights symbol for a building that's good to stay in. If you're not
taking it, put it back in. Messing up alleys with garbage gives us
all a bad name.
Also, yes, dumpster diving is political, it was a regular part of my lifestyle growing up, unlike a lot of politically motivated bin divers, but it continued for political reasons.
Anyways, my friend has on article on his blog "Saskboy" that makes a lot of good points. However, I would like to state, categorically, that I do not dumpster dive for food or use food from dumpsters, nor did my parents or other relatives, and I seriously recommend against it: Dumpster Diving is Political?
Posted on May 10, 2010 by saskboy.
A gallery of garbage (AKA my house...) I've only ever bought one shelf, and I no longer have that one.
The vast majority of our records are from bins or were abandoned in houses that we've cleaned. About half of my library was from bins, I buy very selectively, and these days, with over 1500 books, I'm picky about
free books too because they cost space I don't have much of.
Guitars and other musical instruments are common bin finds. Desks chairs, yeah, my whole house is furnished free. Not beds, though. Clothes are thoroughly washed before being used or donated. Paranoid about bugs.
My mom occasionally rescues plants left in alleys, the spider plant shown was left by a bin in january a few years ago, it was in shock and almost totally died. She brought it back to life and has since given away several cuttings from it.
The shield was found in a bin outside the Globe Theater when they renovated and threw out a lot of old costumes, set pieces and stuff. We got lots that day.
Most of the art seen is original, my friends and family, the exception is the 2 statues, which were part of a collection that got wrecked in the basement of the SCES building on 8th ave, they were clearing out the basement after the flood last year and when they saw me going through the broken statues from the same collection they said they'd set aside the unbroken ones, there were 3, the third is with a friend of mine.
The whole collection was beautiful, I remember when they were exhibited there for awhile in the 90s, they got left behind and eventually stored in the basement where they got broken. Sad.
Also of note are the very old oil burning stove and the Singer pedal-power sewing machine.
This page is where I
catalogue cool things I've found in garbage bins. From this activity,
I've had a ringside seat for the increase in consumerism and it's
waste. Perfectely good beds, clothes, etc, but I'm not showing those
here. I wash them and donate them to "free stores" in
community centers, if I can't find someone who wants them. But
most of it's going to the landfill, which are locked up now and you
can get fined for taking stuff out. Come to think about it, it's
technically illegal to dumpster dive. Consumerism is being enforced
by law now.
Also, go here to see
some garbage I don't like finding:
