Treehugger - Latest Comments in Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Lindsey Chass Millen — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 17:42:26 -0000

These people have plenty of dignity, it's not even a question of their worthiness to do anything. If they wish to make use out of things that no longer are being used, let them repurpose it or, maybe, give it purpose because whomever had it the first round didn't do so in the first place. Scavenger is not to be used as an insult, unless you find anyone who searches and collects items repulsive, so then you start accusing the old man who collects rocks and bottle caps of being a "filthy butt."

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Caroline M. Bray — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:42:23 -0000

Wow I came across this posting because I just watched the "Dive! Living off America's Wate" documentary by Jeremy Seifert. Great Stuff makes me wonder where I should start and what I can do to help.. and be thankful for the food we do have, not thrown away!

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Candyandrainbows — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:36:38 -0000

Oh no, where's the video??

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Stephenharper — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:33:44 -0000

DISGUSTING!!! Maybe one day you'll find an ounce of DIGNITY and get your filthy butts out of the TRASH!! Scavengers, it's called GARBAGE for a reason, look it up.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

lynncollver — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:36:59 -0000

That's nonsense..most states have a humanitarian law that prevents those in need from suing those who shared food in faith,believing it was good..companies use a ton of excuses and usually have no idea what the truth really is...
the truth really is they don't want homeless people hanging out..and giving them food will bring them and their hungry friends..get the picture?

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

studenlawyer — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:43:45 -0000

Freeganism is a questionable practise. I observed that Professors are dumbster diving. See this video http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Shepard — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:32:26 -0000

I can't remember who posted this, but they're right that there are greedy lawyers out there who will stoop to suing businesses for giving food to the homeless shelter if someone gets sick- I used to work at Quiznos Sub, and they throw away tons of bread and soup, and I asked once if I could take it to the shelter after work, and they have made it company policy not to do that because of threats of lawsuits in the past.

And last, I live in Greenville, NC [hometown of ECU...very much a college town with lots thrown out], and my husband and I dumpster dive from time to time. We'd like to do it more, but we got pulled by a cop last time for pulling a broken mirror out of a dumpster with no signs warning against it! Is anyone from here who knows where to go or how to deal with cops about it?

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Quill — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:31:53 -0000

I worked as an aquarist at the Aquarium in Denver, CO, and during the summer there'd be lots of companies having picnics, banquets, or what-have-you on Aquarium grounds. The restaurant side would make trays and trays of food, and despite the threat of being caught by the GM, I would sneak food from the leftovers after the event was over with, because everything served or un-served was destined for the dumpster. I watched them pitch massive trays of coleslaw, barbecue, fruit salads, steamed veggies, and mounds of pastries.... much of it untouched. I began buying tubs to shovel the food into. Some waitstaff were cool about it, and encouraged me to take it, but others pitched fits. Same old 'liability' issue was behind the practice. Jeez, let me sign a waiver or something, saying I won't sue! I just couldn't stand it. I tear up now just thinking of all that food still going to waste.

Now I live in Grand Rapids, MI, am new to dumpster diving, and haven't yet been able to find a grocery store that doesn't use a compactor. Anybody got any suggestions on any chain stores or restaurants to hit up? I haven't had any luck so far. I'm mostly after food.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Quill — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:28:36 -0000

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Lisa Logan — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:13:23 -0000

"If everyone were freegan, we'd all starve."

If this were true, the human species would never have survived the early hunter-gatherer days.

"freegan" is not simply a synonym for "dumpster diving," though it is what freegans are most noted for. It is a lifestyle concerned with sustainable living outside the incredibly wasteful, ecologically harmful, consumer driven planet we live on, a method of living that includes recycling waste of ALL kinds. This also includes communal sharing and many self-sustaining lifestyle strategies. If everyone helped each other grow, acquire, and recycle food and other goods, they would hardly all starve to death.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

obiwan — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:52:06 -0000

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

The Society of St. Andrew is one nonprofit organization that gleans fields with volunteers. [2]

Businesses that participate receive tax benefits for their donations and are protected from liability lawsuits by the federal**** Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.

The Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (Pub.L. 104-210, 110 Stat. 3011, enacted 1996-10-01) was created to encourage food donation to nonprofits by minimizing liability, in accordance with the Model Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. Signed into law by President Bill Clinton, this law, named after Rep. Bill Emerson (who encouraged the proposal but died before it was passed), makes it easier to donate food by allowing donor liability only in cases of gross negligence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Rebecca — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:36:13 -0000

My husband and I just started "dumpster diving" two weeks ago. We are thrilled at our finds. Just recently on our last trip we found 9 boxes (an entire case) of Starbucks Frapaccino icecream bars that were all packaged and still frozen. YUM! But last night we got pulled over by a cop who must have been watching us. We are always careful to go well after the store closes, usually around 10:30 or 11 pm and we ALWAYS look for any cars in the parking lot, we don't want to be seen. So I'm worried about the legal side of this. The cop last night said he could have arrested us for trespassing and theft. There were NO signs around the dumpster of the store that said no trespassing. He didn't believe we got the stuff out of the dumpster (he said it was too good of stuff actually), I pleaded with him to please go look for himself as there was still some left, he called backup and sure enough started to soften his attitude toward us, although he was still a total jerk to us and threw his "power" around. I didn't back down and cower though, I wasn't rude but I was firm in that I had called the police department just the day before and talked with officer K.... (won't mention name) and he said it was legal as far as he knew if there were no signs up. So what am I supposed to do? This cop last night said he could arrest me and to ask the stores for permission. HELLO!!!! Do you think the stores are going to say sure take food for free we throw out. Just to prove my point I went this morning and the store said NO and they could have had us arrested and will be putting a sign up ASAP. I haven't asked our local grocery store which is where we get our food from the dumpster (and buy it of course too) because I know what they will say, I used to work there for crying out loud. How can I find out if this "grey area" as the cop told us last night, is in fact legal and we won't get in trouble? I can't find laws on it anywhere. I live in a suberb of Omaha, Ne. I'm not in a huge town like NYC or Seattle as I keep reading people are doing this from. But I feel it's my right do be doing this as well as I have three very young children and you bet it helps out financially. Any help would be greatly appreciated whether it be tips, laws in Nebraska you know about, or any other such advise. Thanks in advance. I really hate to stop doing this as it's rewarding, fun, and financially freeing.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

rb_momof3 at yahoo.com

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Shirley — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:24:26 -0000

I think Freeganism is a wonderful thing and totally fascinating. However, I live in South Africa, and there are so many poor, hungry people who get their food from dumpsters, if we who can afford food now start competing with them, we could be accused of making things worse and not better. Also, unfortunately (or fortunately) stores don't seem to throw that much out here. A rotten tomato here and there, but not boxes of unopened stuff and I think the staff actually do get dibs on items to be thrown away. As a third world country, we are in the position of perhaps not being as wasteful as first world countries.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

MC — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:26:01 -0000

If everyone were freegan, we'd all starve.

Probably true. There would, after all, be very little waste to live off of.

If everyone trimmed their waste, stopped being greedy and stopped being so habitually profligate that it's not even thought of as wastefulness, there would be enough food to feed everyone.

It's insane. I moved halfway across the country a couple years ago; one of the friends helping me pack up thought I was totally nuts for putting all my canned goods in the truck. She was buying the place from me, and threw a bitch fit because she got there a week before I was ready to leave and the fridge and cupboard were half full, so there was "No place for her to put stuff, and nothing for her to eat."

I note that after 6 months of working full time, she didn't have enough money to keep up with both lot rent and her car payment. Go figure.

Even if you really don't care about anyone else, or the environment, everyone cares about themselves. And, even if you are wealthy enough to soak the loss, profligacy hurts you, too.

I cut our grocery bill by 25%-- and our garbage output by 50%-- just by keeping my fridge and pantry organized and making sure to use leftovers. The garbage reduction was enough to let me cancel our garbage service-- pricey 'cause we're in a rural area-- and pay a la carte to dump it in a local business's Dumpster instead.

Monthly savings, including the bite out of the grocery bill, and accounting for paying the realty office to use their Dumpster: $112.50. With an income of $39K, we're wealthy enough to soak the loss...

...but with the difference, I've been able to make an extra payment on our mortgage every year (which can cut as much as 25% off the term of repayment, saving a further bundle in interest) and ramp our retirement savings up from 10 to 12 percent.

And I have an excuse to stop and say "Hi" to my friend at the office.

No matter what you think of freeganism, just try and tell me you couldn't use another $112.50 a month. Tell me you wouldn't like to save money, especially money that could save you even more money.

Try and tell me we couldn't all use to interact with other members of our community on a more consistent basis!!

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Steffanie — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:27:44 -0000

My husband works for a local grocery store that offers up the fruits, veggies, frozen goods, baked goods, and everything else that would normally be thrown away to the employees. There have been months where we didn't need to buy groceries.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Angela — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:08:58 -0000

Oops!

My previous comment was for Lauren, and not Paul!

Sorry Paul!

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Angela — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:36:16 -0000

"If everyone were freegan, we would all starve and die. The logic behind it is completly delusional."

Paul,

I don't think that anyone is suggesting that dumpstering would provide the sole means of sustenance for society as a whole if everyone chose to eat this way. Also, I don't think the chances of that ever happening are very high.

The point is to cut back on waste and to be more aware of the perfectly useful things that we, as a society, throw out instead of reusing.

It's about opting out of systems that aren't working for the benfit of the earth and the people who live on it, not about feeding everyone.

There is a bigger picture that you seem to be missing, Paul.

A) If I dumpster 1/2 of my food, then that means that 1/2 of my food is not being purchased. This is driving demand down, and as a consequence (if enough people do this) production will also wane.

B) The 21 PERFECT grapefruits that I got from Trader Joe's dumpster cost me NOTHING, and they aren't in a landfill right now... How is this not a positive thing?

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

tallcat — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 23:34:53 -0000

I used to work for Williams Sonoma when I was first out of college. I was making 8$ and hour living in a major city. I liked my job but I wasn't making enough to live off of, so when the store whould get rid of the free samples that the manufacturer sends then I would take them home. The manager almost fired me over it and it is something I will never forget.

I didn't then and I don't understand now the logic of big chains keeping people from their wastes. Is it really a desire to mitigate liability or do they not want potential custormers getting product for free? Personally I think it is a native miserliness in people and that makes me sad.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

lauren — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 18:58:51 -0000

If everyone were freegan, we would all starve and die. The logic behind it is completly delusional.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Paul — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:43:07 -0000

The food liability issue is an excuse and a poor one at that because there is a law called the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. It protect restaurants and markets from lawsuits if anyone gets sick from food they donated.

http://www.sustainablefoods...

Many of these large companies don't want to give away old food or let employees take it because they think the workers will start "throwing out" good food so they can take it home. As if there wasn't enough already there for them to take home. Its really joke and goes well beyond grocery stores. Places like Borders throw out thousands of unsold books (with the covers ripped off) and fire any employee who is caught taking these books. They also refuse to donate the books to schools, charities, etc. or even recycle them.

An old roommate who worked at Borders did get authorization (because he was a manager and the GM was cool) to recycle the thrown out books. So every couple months he would borrow my hatchback and fill it to the top with discarded books to take to the recycler. What a waste...

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

laryn — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:46:33 -0000

thanks for the video...i've been dumpster diving for almost a year now. once you're over the initial disgust, dumpster diving seems like common sense--and i've found that it doesn't have to be a negative relationship with the workers. i can help keep it clean around the dumpster and rescue the food, too.

last december a news team followed me and a friend on one of our dumpster runs. See the video and a short write-up at the link on my name.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Will Rogers — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:31:05 -0000

I guess no one thinks about the fact that "potential liability" issue is real, and there are plenty of ambulance-chasing lawyers (aka sociopaths who found a legal outlet for their reptilian tendencies) waiting to represent the right homeless person willing to sue. If you want to reduce food waste, why not support lawsuit reform? Like so many other ills in our society, restaurant and store owners' reluctance to give away their food can be traced back to our litigious nature and "jackpot justice" mentality in this society. James Howard Kunstler has rightly observed that America has become a "casino" nation with a get-rich mentality. Lawsuit abuse is one very real symptom of this.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Kate Huppell — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:40:59 -0000

A relative of mine works for an Italian Restaurant chain. At the end of the day, whatever they have prepared that isn't eaten (like entire trays of lasagna) are pitched. It makes me sick. I cannot figure out how to fix it. This is an area that needs a LOT of work.

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Lisa — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 19:30:37 -0000

I find stuff in the Trader Joe dumpster all the time in Cincinnati, OH. I am able to reduce my grocery bill by 1/3 to 1/2 depending on how often I look. I sometimes am able to feed my friend, too

Re: Freeganism: The Art of Dumpster Diving

Sara — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 03:06:00 -0000

Hello to all. I am interested in participating in a gathering, however I have never done this before. I live in Boston and will appreciate all suggestions and guides. Thank you.