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'Dumpster Diving' is a subreddit dedicated to urban foraging — searching through the trash for usable items.

Members of this online community share their experiences and tips for finding valuables, talking about both their successes and failures, as well as discussing ethical and legal considerations surrounding the activity.

Overall, it's a supportive and informative subreddit, full of support and encouragement for everyone who tries to live at least a bit more sustainably and reduce waste.

So in an attempt to contribute to spreading the message, we at Bored Panda put together a new publication, featuring the subreddit's most popular posts. Continue scrolling to check them out and fire up our first one for the older ones.

#1

My New Biggest Score

My New Biggest Score

kandroid96 Report

#2

Found In The Dumpster Tied In A Trash Bag. What A Sweet Soul As Well. Poor Thing

Found In The Dumpster Tied In A Trash Bag. What A Sweet Soul As Well. Poor Thing

ProjectIntelligent99 Report

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djware avatar
Juliet Ware
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The human race is disgusting at times !! Why couldn't they just take it to a shelter!? Thank you for saving this little soul xx

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#5

Found A Completely Unused Art Set

Found A Completely Unused Art Set

Cult7Choir Report

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jubileethebug6 avatar
Lil Potato
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

those things pull you in with the pretty colors, but they ARE trash. ive had so many of these and they DO NOT work

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#6

Thought This Was Worth Saving

Thought This Was Worth Saving

Cult7Choir Report

#7

Two La Creuset’s Left At The Dumpster By My Work Today

Two La Creuset’s Left At The Dumpster By My Work Today

BigPoppaJay Report

#8

Not Dumpster Diving Per Se, But This Antique Hand Painted French Cabinet From The 1890's Was A Part Of The "Junk" I Was Hired To Remove From A House Yesterday!

Not Dumpster Diving Per Se, But This Antique Hand Painted French Cabinet From The 1890's Was A Part Of The "Junk" I Was Hired To Remove From A House Yesterday!

Cult7Choir Report

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#9

Ok This Is Epic

Ok This Is Epic

yungbc2000 Report

#10

Built Myself A Desk Out Of Some Mahogany Base Boards Taken Out Of The Dumpster! My Gaming Chair Was Picked Up From The Curb Side

Built Myself A Desk Out Of Some Mahogany Base Boards Taken Out Of The Dumpster! My Gaming Chair Was Picked Up From The Curb Side

tooned Report

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#11

Someone’s Old Marble Collection Got Put In The Trash And Rescued By Me

Someone’s Old Marble Collection Got Put In The Trash And Rescued By Me

HERMANNATOR85 Report

#13

Found This Painting In The Trash, Looked Like My Cat So I Grabbed It

Found This Painting In The Trash, Looked Like My Cat So I Grabbed It

Prestigious-Theory-4 Report

#14

My Curbside Cast Iron Haul!

My Curbside Cast Iron Haul!

notyouraveragedonut Report

#15

Was Out Of Dogfood And Broke Af. Thought I'd Take A Peek In The Pet Store Dumpster. Score

Was Out Of Dogfood And Broke Af. Thought I'd Take A Peek In The Pet Store Dumpster. Score

jPeg1900 Report

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Sasy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am glad you were able to find food for your Dog, I hope you have more finds if needed.

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#16

I've Never Felt The Need To Post A Haul Until This

I've Never Felt The Need To Post A Haul Until This

valkyrie_queen_ Report

#17

I Was Digging Through The Trash Of Someone Who Looked To Be Moving And I Found A Set Of Earrings Marked As 18k Gold And A Friend Who Is A Jeweler Tested The Stones And Said They're White Sapphire

I Was Digging Through The Trash Of Someone Who Looked To Be Moving And I Found A Set Of Earrings Marked As 18k Gold And A Friend Who Is A Jeweler Tested The Stones And Said They're White Sapphire

600-shot-of-autism Report

#18

I’m Excited About This Find, I’m An Elementary Teacher And Next Year I’ll Have All My Kiddos Write Cards To Their Family/Staff! They Were Sealed In A Trash Bag Untouched On Top!

I’m Excited About This Find, I’m An Elementary Teacher And Next Year I’ll Have All My Kiddos Write Cards To Their Family/Staff! They Were Sealed In A Trash Bag Untouched On Top!

adgb6 Report

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Jescia
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work for a greeting cards company (not mentioning names but not that one, the other one!). At the end of the holiday most cards are "destroyed" (i.e. thrown away). It's a waste, I hate it. If we are lucky, the store recycles and the leftovers go with the recyclable trash. If not, they get pitched. This person didn't completely destroy, we are supposed to add dye or soap or something to the bag so no one wants what's inside. I'm actually glad someone found these. I get angry at the end of every season that the leftovers can't be donated to hospitals, hospices, churches, anywhere. Glad these are getting a 2nd life. (This also applies to any stuffed animals or plush toys. Don't let them get wasted!) *Edited for spelling

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#19

Found A Perfectly Fine Bass Guitar In The Garbage. On My Birthday!!

Found A Perfectly Fine Bass Guitar In The Garbage. On My Birthday!!

quasi_kid Report

#20

Someone Threw Out A Perfectly Working 40 Inch 4k Smart TV. Madness, But Mine Now

Someone Threw Out A Perfectly Working 40 Inch 4k Smart TV. Madness, But Mine Now

meriadickbrandybuck Report

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#21

Dumpster Diver Needed A Little Help Out After Getting Stuck Down There

Dumpster Diver Needed A Little Help Out After Getting Stuck Down There

WhatWasThatLike Report

#22

This 30+ Year Old Monstera Deliciosa Would've Gone To The Dump. Working At A Moving Firm Has Its Benefits! Girlfriend For Scale

This 30+ Year Old Monstera Deliciosa Would've Gone To The Dump. Working At A Moving Firm Has Its Benefits! Girlfriend For Scale

cookingfragsyum Report

#24

Pretty Rad Find. My Grandparents Paid Something Like 75 Cents A Months Back In The Day For One Similar. Little Work, And She’ll Shine

Pretty Rad Find. My Grandparents Paid Something Like 75 Cents A Months Back In The Day For One Similar. Little Work, And She’ll Shine

lexton218 Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would date this to the 1920s - 1930s, maybe way early 1940s at a stretch, but solidly 1930s at least. It should come up really nice with some T!C—-just please please please don’t paint it, OK?

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#25

Back With More To Report. I Thought I’d Retired, But Last Night I Checked The Dumpster Again. Diapers, Storage, Heaters, Toys And Cases Of Cereal Later ($785) Sticker Price, I’m So Glad I Went. More Donation Trips To Make Next Week!

Back With More To Report. I Thought I’d Retired, But Last Night I Checked The Dumpster Again. Diapers, Storage, Heaters, Toys And Cases Of Cereal Later ($785) Sticker Price, I’m So Glad I Went. More Donation Trips To Make Next Week!

WhatAFineWasteOfTime Report

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onezs_girl avatar
Alison Hell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just disgusting so many perfectly good items get tossed. I'm glad folks are finding these things and donating though.

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#26

Someone Didn’t Feel Like Cleaning Their $800 Espresso Machine. I Found It Sitting On Top Of A Garbage Can Out Diving Last Night

Someone Didn’t Feel Like Cleaning Their $800 Espresso Machine. I Found It Sitting On Top Of A Garbage Can Out Diving Last Night

PatSabre12 Report

#27

I Love These Little Free Pantries I've Been Seeing Pop Up Lately. They Give Me A Great Opportunity To Practice Mutual Aid With My Neighbors By Filling Them Up With A Bunch Of Perfectly Fine Non-Perishables I Score From Dumpsters!

I Love These Little Free Pantries I've Been Seeing Pop Up Lately. They Give Me A Great Opportunity To Practice Mutual Aid With My Neighbors By Filling Them Up With A Bunch Of Perfectly Fine Non-Perishables I Score From Dumpsters!

Dukdukdiya Report

#28

Found This Disco Ball - Expected It To Be Flimsy, Made Of Styrofoam But Its Actually Very Heavy And Nice!

Found This Disco Ball - Expected It To Be Flimsy, Made Of Styrofoam But Its Actually Very Heavy And Nice!

Comfortable_Stage806 Report

#29

I Make Blankets For Shelter Doggos/Homeless People And Their Dogs From Linen I Find In Dumpsters. Doggo In Photo Is My Little Weirdo. And No, I Did Not Find Her In A Dumpster:p

I Make Blankets For Shelter Doggos/Homeless People And Their Dogs From Linen I Find In Dumpsters. Doggo In Photo Is My Little Weirdo. And No, I Did Not Find Her In A Dumpster:p

False_Ad_4117 Report

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#31

Saw Someone On Here Say They Found A Bunch Of LED Lights Once. I Thought “Omg I Want To Find Some”… Well I Found 25 Boxes Last Night

Saw Someone On Here Say They Found A Bunch Of LED Lights Once. I Thought “Omg I Want To Find Some”… Well I Found 25 Boxes Last Night

hailey199666 Report

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Kensi
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since I have seen a guy on Instagram that used these to transfer his plain white ceiling into Harry potter cloudy stormy heavens (like Hogwart's dining room) I want them so bad.

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#32

Pert Smert If My Favorite Dumpster By Far. Very Aesthetic, Brand New $150 Cat Tower, In The Box? Score. P.s. They Love It

Pert Smert If My Favorite Dumpster By Far. Very Aesthetic, Brand New $150 Cat Tower, In The Box? Score. P.s. They Love It

AcanthisittaGlum138 Report

#33

Antique Apothecary Scales Thrown Out By Neighbors

Antique Apothecary Scales Thrown Out By Neighbors

thinman Report

#35

Did I Find 30 Pairs Of Brand New $120 Boots In A Shoe Store Dumpster? Do All Of My Friends Now Have Said Pair Of Boots? Yes On All Fronts

Did I Find 30 Pairs Of Brand New $120 Boots In A Shoe Store Dumpster? Do All Of My Friends Now Have Said Pair Of Boots? Yes On All Fronts

NubileNewYorkers Report

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Jaaawn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, we used to call this particular style of boots prostiboots as kids

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#37

Approximately 650 Pounds Of Aluminum Cans Collected At A Music Festival

Approximately 650 Pounds Of Aluminum Cans Collected At A Music Festival

Impressive-Bit7781 Report

#38

Was Told You Guys Might Enjoy This. Found About 20 Tablets In The Trash Today. Mostly Old Galaxy Note 10.1 From 2014 But I’ll Take It With A Big Smile

Was Told You Guys Might Enjoy This. Found About 20 Tablets In The Trash Today. Mostly Old Galaxy Note 10.1 From 2014 But I’ll Take It With A Big Smile

GiantClaw Report

#39

$700 Free Wine.... I Asked The Dumpster God If I Should Quit Drinking. This Is Her Answer.... I Guess That’s A No!

$700 Free Wine.... I Asked The Dumpster God If I Should Quit Drinking. This Is Her Answer.... I Guess That’s A No!

sdace7 Report

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Grant Barke
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if my local gold dealer is dumping out of date gold bars. Must check out their dumpster out back.

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#40

I Got All Deez 242 Bananas From A Dumpster. Banana For Scale

I Got All Deez 242 Bananas From A Dumpster. Banana For Scale

Reddit_IbarelyKnowIt Report

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#41

I’ve Died And Landed In Dumpster Nomad Heaven

I’ve Died And Landed In Dumpster Nomad Heaven

AcanthisittaGlum138 Report

#42

This Is My Third Load Of This Size, And Much More Left

This Is My Third Load Of This Size, And Much More Left

BoBandy679 Report

#43

Todays Finds. I Still Don’t Know How I Found All Of This In The Same Dumpster

Todays Finds. I Still Don’t Know How I Found All Of This In The Same Dumpster

Kittenslover99 Report

#44

Found This Costume With An Extra Head That Snaps Onto The Other Head In A Dumpster

Found This Costume With An Extra Head That Snaps Onto The Other Head In A Dumpster

Gingafer81 Report

#45

Anyone Know A Good Recipe That Uses Like 80 Red Onions And 60 Bananas?

Anyone Know A Good Recipe That Uses Like 80 Red Onions And 60 Bananas?

deserttrends Report

#46

Another $500+ Haul From My Favorite Dumpster. Haven't Purchased Groceries In Years!

Another $500+ Haul From My Favorite Dumpster. Haven't Purchased Groceries In Years!

deserttrends Report

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Michelle Carlson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to ask, how many times have you had food poisoning? I am all for saving and dumpster diving, but you pulled CHICKEN out of a dumpster?

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#47

The Second Day Of Christmas Did Not Disappoint!

The Second Day Of Christmas Did Not Disappoint!

finetime2 Report

#48

Weather Finally Cooling But Grocery Store Waste Not So Much! ...favorite Asparagus Recipes?

Weather Finally Cooling But Grocery Store Waste Not So Much! ...favorite Asparagus Recipes?

mosomedve216 Report

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OnAFreakingRollercoaster
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would feed my family of 6 for a cpl of weeks. So for me it would be like 400€ worth of groceries 🤑

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#49

Past 2-3 Weeks I’ve Found And Melted All Of This Aluminum Copper And Pewter. I Found 4 Cameras 3 Power Tools And 2 Bikes. For A Grand Total Of 340$ Not Including All The Metal In This Picture. Also Found A Few Computers And Laptops That I Will Be Scrapping Since They Do Not Work

Past 2-3 Weeks I’ve Found And Melted All Of This Aluminum Copper And Pewter. I Found 4 Cameras 3 Power Tools And 2 Bikes. For A Grand Total Of 340$ Not Including All The Metal In This Picture. Also Found A Few Computers And Laptops That I Will Be Scrapping Since They Do Not Work

mickx123 Report

#50

Found This Guy In A Dumpster This Morning

Found This Guy In A Dumpster This Morning

BellasGamerDad Report

Note: this post originally had 135 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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