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78 Dumpster Diving Finds That Very Much Deserve A Second Life (New Pics)
The saying “one person’s trash is another’s treasure” couldn’t be more relevant today, as people are increasingly committed to sustainability and waste reduction. That’s likely why dumpster diving has officially shifted from social taboo to mainstream trend.
A subreddit is even dedicated to it, with 147,000 weekly visitors and counting. But in this community, people freely share the coolest finds they come across while digging through trash. And yes, they are noteworthy enough to draw attention online.
Here are some posts from the page that caught our attention, showing how much valuable stuff gets discarded instead of donated, repaired, or reused.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Wild Find Next To Dumpster
Janissary35680 3 hours ago
I'd have this. I even have a spot where I could put it. I'd probably have the gilding stripped off and the wood refinished however.
RELATED:
#2
Pulled Out Of Hoarder House Dumpster, The Cat Likes It
#3
Big Day For Senior Dog With Arthritis
LakotaWolf (she/her) 8 hours ago
We bought a giant dog stroller for Stilgar when he was a puppy because he was so sick with distemper at one point that he couldn't walk for two months. (We don't know if it was actual paralysis or muscle issues, or if he just felt too sick to walk.) He still loved being outdoors, so we would walk the park pushing this floppy-eared puppy in a giant dog stroller XD He hasn't needed it for years, but because he's a large-breed dog (and because we have no idea what lasting effects the distemper will have on him as he ages) we kept the stroller for him for later. Don't ever let anyone shame you for pushing your dog/cat/bearded dragon in a stroller. Don't let anyone tell you it's stupid or cringe or "not worth the money". If it makes you happy to still be able to go on walks with your aging doggo or to safely walk with your catto, it's worth it.
Dumpster diving used to be associated more with people who are financially in the dumps (pun intended). But as we mentioned earlier, times have changed drastically.
The #dumpsterdiving trend on TikTok, for one, has drawn hundreds of thousands of views, showing people rummaging through piles of garbage and them boasting about their unique finds.
#4
Finally Got Something To Share! Trash Picked A Sewing Machine!
#6
Guess Someone Decided They Wanted To Only Stream Movies From Here On Out. Hit The Mother Load Of Dvds!
Janissary35680 2 hours ago
I shed my CD collection years ago by giving it to a music conservatory. The DVD collection is still stuffed away in a cabinet because nobody wants them any more.
One prominent dumpster-diving social media creator today is Kelly Sparks, who runs the YouTube channel breafkast. As of this posting, she has 236,000 subscribers who tune in to see what she finds next in her dumpster-diving adventures.
In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, she says, “Dumpster diving is the epitome of a treasure hunt.”
#7
Found In The Trash
martymcmatrix 5 hours ago
AFAIR, it can only be unlocked by a fruit that keeps the doctors away...🍎 🧑🏽⚕️ 🍏
#8
A Facebook Random Sent Me Here,here's My Lucky Dive
“It was overwhelming, the amount of food that was in their dumpster. We would dumpster dive every night. We got so hooked on it,” said Sparks, who dumpster dives in Northern Texas.
According to her, most of her international viewers are often surprised, almost shocked, by how much waste America produces. She says some of them are even left asking why there are bottled waters in US dumpsters.
#10
At The Apartment Down The Street. Had To Carry It Home
#11
A Small Heart Shaped Display Table, Found Amidst Trash On The Side Of The Road
What counts as “trash” can also differ from person to person. As University of Chicago scholar and anthropologist Sarah Newman explains, food scraps may be garbage to one person, but valuable fertilizer material to another.
“There are also cultural differences in terms of the types of things that people see as being reusable or the attachments that people have to even things that are mass-produced products,” Newman said. “There are certain things that you or I might think of as a kind of disposable commodity, and other people might see as something more valuable.”
#13
Found This Lamp During My Walk
#15
Dumpster God's Want Me To Garden
Dumpster diving isn’t for everyone, and understandably so. It can be hard to dig through waste, some of which could even be toxic.
But if you can bring yourself to take on the adventure, you’re likely to stumble upon cool finds, as these people did. The best part: you don’t even need to pay much for these items, and they could add value to your life in the long run.
#17
My Wife Tried Her Hand At Reupholstering Some Dumpster Furniture. It Smelled And Had Tons Of Stains And Scratches, She Painted It And Used Old Curtains. I Think It Turned Out Pretty Cool!
#19
Found This Today 10 Karat Gold Got 300 Bucks For It
#20
Someone Tossed Two Quarter Operated Washing Machines. This Is Just From One
#21
Someone Threw Out A Whole Gaming PC
#26
One Of The Most Random Finds Yet, A Discarded Apiary! Foraged The Wax To Make A Body Balm Tomorrow
#27
Did A Second Dumpster Dive Run… They Threw Out Even More Hotwheels And Toys. Major Difference In Amount This Time
#28
Dumpster Dive Huge Score
#29
Found A Never Used Wii Fit Plus Kit In A Dumpster. It Still Has Wrapping Paper From When It Was Given As A Present, And Batteries That “Expired” In 2014
#31
As I Found It Againt The Dumpster Wall
#32
Found This In The Dumpster At My Work
LakotaWolf (she/her) 8 hours ago
I don't think I'd use a Stanley cup/thermos/cup of any kind that I found in a dumpster. XD I know one can sanitize it, especially if it's made of metal, but that's one of those things my brain wouldn't be able to get behind.
#33
Got Lucky With This One
Janissary35680 2 hours ago
Genuine Staubs? Still in their packaging? Something's not right here.
#35
Found These In A Tote In A Dumpster. Worth Anything?
#36
I Should Just Quit Now. 16.9g Of 14k
#39
First Night Of College Diving
#40
40% Of All Food Ends Up In The Trash
#41
Note To Self, Check Recalls Before Loading Car
#42
Husband Came Home “I Have A Gift, From The Dumpster!”
#44
Look What I Found Out Behind A Hobby Lobby
LakotaWolf (she/her) 8 hours ago
Wow! I remember these from fabric stores when I was a kid. I loved looking through them to try to find the patterns for making stuffed animals.
#46
You Just Never Know
#63
Found A Litter Robot 4
#65
Found 234 Rolls Of Duct Tape
#73
50 State Quarter Book With Quarters Still Inside
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