Dumpster Dipping (please avoid dangerous diving) is an enjoyable activity involving a pleasant bike ride, a hunt, the thrill of discovery, the mystery of recent archeology, forensic storytelling, good Karma recycling, and a form of shopping with green environmental impact. It helps me get in touch with my early human hunter gathering roots. It is similar to gold panning, hunting, geo-caching, shopping, gambling and other hunt and find challenges where there are a variety of possible outcomes.
It is also possible to undo your entire carbon footprint through the recycling of other people's former stuff.
It is also possible to undo your entire carbon footprint through the recycling of other people's former stuff.
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There are many things in the dumpster that do not deserve to be buried yet.
You will see some things that do, and some that do not, belong in the dumpster.
You can recycle them, repurpose them, make them into art.
You can clean them up and use them, donate them or just set them next to the dumpster hoping they are adopted (Catch and Release).
I finds lots of clothing, household goods, computers, appliances, vacuum cleaners, household chemicals, paint, mixed drawers emptied into bags, coins, postage, furniture, on and on.
Some of the best items found to date:
Autographed scripts from "The King of Queens", new Navajo woven rug, LCD computer projector, various hand tools, a folding bike, complete sound systems with music CD's, and record players with records.
You will see some things that do, and some that do not, belong in the dumpster.
You can recycle them, repurpose them, make them into art.
You can clean them up and use them, donate them or just set them next to the dumpster hoping they are adopted (Catch and Release).
I finds lots of clothing, household goods, computers, appliances, vacuum cleaners, household chemicals, paint, mixed drawers emptied into bags, coins, postage, furniture, on and on.
Some of the best items found to date:
Autographed scripts from "The King of Queens", new Navajo woven rug, LCD computer projector, various hand tools, a folding bike, complete sound systems with music CD's, and record players with records.
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Original: http://www.botjunkie.com/2010/10/26/balloon-plus-coffee-grounds-equals-versatile-robot-gripper/
Homemade version: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/01/homemade-coffee-balloon-gripper-eas.html
My best finds:
Ipod
Computer flat screens
Photographers Luggage
Lots of Beer
Textbooks, Textbooks, Textbooks
$1,200 Italian suit (My size!)
Are you kidding ?
Here in the Netherlands, we even organized "Giveaway Shops" where found and donated items are distributed. See for example:
http://www.huizespoorloos.org/taxonomy/term/11
I've been doing this for well over a decade now, and no matter where you look, the ingenious person can find something somewhere. <looks around>.....In fact, I don't think there is a single appliance I own that I have paid anything for in my entire home, with the only exception being my computer's motherboard (literally), and my modem. Even my 19" monitor is rescued from certain "doom-fill", and it's in perfect working condition.
At this point my next run is donating over $13,000 worth of various equipment and appliances to fund charity. I also keep any cell-phone I find, as most will dial 911 whether you have service or not. Noone should not be able to call for help when they need it, contrary to the belief of the 27 percentile of the country nowadays.(thankfully not any issue come the new 2008 "not-for-sale" elections).
Oh that reminds me...I should publish my heavy-weight bike trailer construction (900+ lbs enough cargo for you?) Keep a lookout for it coming soon!
An earlier commentor (diylyhbilly) says he was a pro...
And I met a guy who said he made a good living handling the pickings in Hollywood and had to open a retail shop to sell it all.
In the pre-wasteful days (before 1950s in the US) there was a job known as the rag-picker who would sort the materials in the dump truck style garbage truck while on its route. The Freegans say they can get by on what they find.
You could start a business of proper handling of junk/clutter cleanup and make a good living.
There are many ways to participate for fun, charity, greenity, or profit in the spectrum of discard rescue.
everyone is authorized to change the future!
Some of the best things I've found over the last year > push lawnmower, digital camra, food, (frozen turkey's), tobacco (i smoke), kids bike, kids guitar, office chair, etc
Best advice I can give is, have a partner, pic stick, wash water, good lighting, small ladder (one that leans up againts the dumpster, work clothes, and be careful.
Also, look everywhere. I found a £600, 700w UPS behind a bakery of all places. All it needed was new batteries. There were two laser printers too, but someone else had those.
Coke bottles have caps with codes on them, which can be entered at mycokerewards.com. If you dive often, these will really add up...
no one cares about your opinion anyway .
you are on the internet DUDE >!