“Struck Gold”: 50 Times People Couldn’t Believe Their Luck While Dumpster Diving (New Pics)

No matter who we are and where we’re from, all of us can have a positive impact on ourenvironmentand how society thinks. Repairing things, holding on to them for longer, buying secondhand, and even repurposing other people’strashcan go a long way when it comes to reducing humanity’s impact on our home planet.The Dumpster Diving group is a very old and popular online community thatencouragespeople to try their hand at, you guessed it, dumpster diving, as well as to share all their cool finds. Today, we’re featuring some of the most intriguing and valuable things that members of this community discovered. Scroll down to check out their hauls!This post may includeaffiliate links.

The Dumpster Diving group is a very old and popular online community thatencouragespeople to try their hand at, you guessed it, dumpster diving, as well as to share all their cool finds. Today, we’re featuring some of the most intriguing and valuable things that members of this community discovered. Scroll down to check out their hauls!

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Last night I was feeding homeless cat colonies (almost all cats have been TNRd) and happened to glance in the dumpster at one spot. Good thing I did! One of the juvenile raccoons had gotten in and couldn’t get out. I had JUST found an aluminum ladder being thrown away on someone’s lawn and was adding it to my next scrap run, so I put it into the dumpster. The poor little thing was so terrified it looked like it had tears in its eyes and started hiding its head like if it couldn’t see me it would be safe. The woman who runs the cat org sent a sweet fella who lives across the street to help so I could continue feeding, and he texted a few minutes later to say it got out. That’s the third animal rescue in just over 24 hours 🫠 I’m thankful I can be of service to the innocent.

Dumpster diving scene with trash bags, a ladder, and a raccoon in a corner.

Large jade plant found while dumpster diving, thriving in a red pot on a tiled terrace.

I saw it refinished in my mind - made it happen.

Dumpster diving find: transformed white console table into a vibrant red garage tool bench setup.

Squirrel eating a colorful treat under a metal roof, spotted during dumpster diving adventure.

Cat standing by a pile of pet food found while dumpster diving.

Person in a black Dickies coat found dumpster diving, showcasing a successful discovery.

As for edible produce, globally, a trillion dollars worth offoodis thrown away each year. It’s estimated that in 2022, the world produced1.05 billion tonsof food waste, with an average amount of 132 kilograms of food waste per capita, 79 kilograms of which was household waste.

An adorable cat which now lives with me, an absolute unit of a rock salt lamp (legit 45 lbs) and two solid wood office cabinets.

Cat wearing a bow tie on a rug, and a glowing salt lamp with wooden decor, found while dumpster diving.

Wooden sled found while dumpster diving on snowy hill with people sledding nearby.

Found on the street, person threw it out because the dog “ chewed the cord “ bought a 20$ cord and fixed it within 2 days.

Arcade cabinets found while dumpster diving, featuring Mortal Kombat and Pac-Man games.

The Dumpster Diving subreddit has been inviting people to have “fun with garbage” since 2009. In the nearly 16 years since being created, thecommunityhas grown to 339k members. The focus of the sub sharing advice, information, and first-hand accounts about finding cool stuff in the trash. Internet users are also encouraged to share the cool stuff they made out of what’s been thrown away.

Gaming scene on TV with character exploring a village, captured during a successful dumpster diving find.

Stack of various DVDs including children’s movies found while dumpster diving.

Various packaged cheeses neatly arranged on a kitchen counter, found during dumpster diving.

You also shouldn’t break the law. You should not godumpster divingif your local laws prohibit it or in private territories. You ought to bring a good pair of gloves and boots so you don’t hurt your hands and feet. Naturally, you should wear sturdy clothing you don’t mind getting dirty so you don’t hurt yourself.

Antique radio discovered while dumpster diving, with knobs and wood paneling.

Yellow armchairs found while dumpster diving, placed outdoors next to a trash bin.

Boxes of assorted chocolates and cookies found while dumpster diving.

Having a small step ladder or something similar can help you get inside and out of dumpsters more easily. When you’re done, clean up after yourself. For instance, you should close the lid of the dumpster after you’re done perusing its contents so thatwild animalsdon’t get inside: they might get stuck inside and get hurt or worse.

Gold chain found during dumpster diving, showcasing jewelry discovery.

A variety of candles discovered during dumpster diving displayed on a kitchen counter.

Bearded man holding a tabby cat during a dumpster diving adventure.

Look, the fact is that you’re bound to find some really awesome things that have been thrown out, left on the curb, sold in secondhand stores, or yeeted into dumpsters.However, before you thank your lucky stars, you should seriously slow down and think about what it is you’ve uncovered. Some items are very dangerous to bring home. Others can pose serioushealthrisks. In some cases, another person’s trash isn’t your treasure—it’s still trash that should be disposed of for everyone’s sake.

Look, the fact is that you’re bound to find some really awesome things that have been thrown out, left on the curb, sold in secondhand stores, or yeeted into dumpsters.

However, before you thank your lucky stars, you should seriously slow down and think about what it is you’ve uncovered. Some items are very dangerous to bring home. Others can pose serioushealthrisks. In some cases, another person’s trash isn’t your treasure—it’s still trash that should be disposed of for everyone’s sake.

Hand holding a small found object, resembling a tiny glass ornament, from a successful dumpster diving trip.

Vintage wooden furniture found while dumpster diving, showcasing two dressers and a detailed tabletop.

Assorted gourmet snacks and packaged goods on a green table, found while dumpster diving.

They might have undetectable damage, so, as a rule of thumb, don’t use them if you find them thrown out. In this case, buying new is very much recommended.

Vintage gaming consoles and cartridges found while dumpster diving.

A tarnished silver bowl found while dumpster diving, showcasing a unique treasure with a potential $550 value.

Dumpster diving find: a microwave next to a car, with a screenshot showing its $110.40 price online.

Otherthings that you should avoid getting secondhand include knives, toy chests without safety hinges, blenders, recalled toys, and anything older that looks like it might have lead paint.Meanwhile, avoid getting secondhand phones, too. For one, you don’t know if the device may have been stolen. And secondly, you don’t know that it doesn’t have malware on it.

Otherthings that you should avoid getting secondhand include knives, toy chests without safety hinges, blenders, recalled toys, and anything older that looks like it might have lead paint.

Meanwhile, avoid getting secondhand phones, too. For one, you don’t know if the device may have been stolen. And secondly, you don’t know that it doesn’t have malware on it.

Vacuum cleaner found during dumpster diving beside its online listing with a discounted price.

Dumpster diving treasure: two candelabras shown before and after restoration, with a noticeable transformation in appearance.

Aquarium with glowing plants and a pineapple house, found while dumpster diving.

You should also avoid bringing home things like mattresses that you find on the curb or in a dumpster.They could have bedbugs in them that could spread throughout your home or they could be contaminated with microorganisms that can then infect you and seriously harm yourhealth.

You should also avoid bringing home things like mattresses that you find on the curb or in a dumpster.

They could have bedbugs in them that could spread throughout your home or they could be contaminated with microorganisms that can then infect you and seriously harm yourhealth.

Blessing Box filled with various food items, open for community sharing, highlighting dumpster diving finds.

Collection of terracotta pots found while dumpster diving, stacked near a brick wall amidst fallen leaves.

A small pantry containing snacks and food items, including chips and pudding, discovered while dumpster diving.

What are the coolest and weirdest things you’veever foundon the curb or in the trash, dear Pandas?

Have you ever gone dumpster diving? If so, what inspired you to do it? Was it out of necessity or because you wanted to live a more eco-friendly life?

One of the best nights of the year to dive. or at least my road dog thinks so. highlights included ribeyes and a 12 pack of hard seltzers… bananas and peppers galore, bacon, eggs, yogurt, flour, oranges, potatoes, kale salad out the ying-yang and about 10 gallons of milk. guess I gotta get crackin and convert that to yogurt soon.Well anyway, hope ya’ll had as much fun as I did this NYE!

Dog on counter beside large haul found dumpster diving, including bananas, milk, eggs, and various groceries.

Self-cleaning litter box found during dumpster diving, priced at $550, shown outdoors and in product listing.

Collection of groceries found while dumpster diving, featuring fresh produce, packaged goods, and beverages.

Assorted beauty products found while dumpster diving, including lotions and bottles, displayed on a wooden floor.

Stacks of beer bottles and cans found during dumpster diving haul.

This guy has been hanging in a balcony in my apartment complex for a decade - the crew remodeling tried to toss him so he’s mine now.

Rusty metal sculpture resembling a face, found through dumpster diving.

I live in a complex and the last 10ish days of the month, the dumpsters become full. This morning I found a nice long skinny table for our entryway. My partner came out with me and saw this trashcan and wanted it. I got curious and looked it up, the thing is $150. My particular building has local contractors who come in and out every couple of months. They always trash perfectly good stuff. And whilst I wonder why…..I’m also so, so grateful.Not posted, but whoever threw this out, also threw out a bin full of clothes that were my partner’s size.

Modern metal trash can found while dumpster diving, showcasing a sleek design and high value.

Starbucks gift cards found during a dumpster dive with a $550 value on them.

Leaf blower found while dumpster diving, placed on a wicker bench on a patio with vertical blinds in the background.

Gold jewelry and watches found while dumpster diving displayed on a wooden table.

Not pictured: 3 gallons of milk i’m currently making paneer with, a bunch of bananas, 2 large boxes of grapes (both red and green 🤠).before you tell me i’m going to get sick, the frozen stuff was at the bottom and it was still totally frozen, so i knew the meat on top was still good.

Groceries from dumpster diving, including meat, cheese, and snacks, arranged on a kitchen countertop.