I know people who dumpster dive. They aren't homeless and they aren't looking to sell their food wares on the black market. They're actually college students, and they happen to be some of my good friends. Even in the freezing, windy, winter weather they will eagerly pile into a vehicle and peruse the local food stores after hours.
Dumpster diving is not illegal, and while some groceries stores frown upon it and others find it repulsive, there are plenty of people out there committed to the act.
Despite the seemingly barbaric act, there are actually very clear cut, logical rules behind the practice. If any food packaging looks like it might be even slightly open, leave it behind. The most important rule? Leave the dumpster and surrounding area as clean or cleaner than how you found it. The quickest way to return to a grocery hotspot and find it all locked up is by leaving a mess and signs of your presence.
Besides the obvious benefit of cutting grocery costs, another important benefit is the reduction in waste. Regardless of whether or not people choose to dumpster dive, immense amounts of food waste are discarded by grocery stores each day. Perfectly good loaves of bread, saran wrapped produce, canned goods, and much more are carelessly tossed into the trash.
While some perfectly rational citizens could never fathom climbing into a dumpster to find that evening's dinner, shouldn't those who can stomach the experience feel free to do so? Dumpster diving is certainly not for everyone, but it is without a doubt one of the most daring ways to recycle.
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