Dumpster Diving in Ontario

Dumpster Diving in Ontario

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Dumpster diving, also known as “skipping,” involves sifting through commercial or residential trash containers or dumpsters to find discarded items that are still useful. Some people do it regularly to save money on household items, food, and other goods by using what others no longer want. Others enjoy it as almost a “treasure hunt,” finding all kinds of exciting things businesses and homeowners throw away. Many also dumpster dives to reduce waste and give disposed items a second life rather than sending them to landfills.

The legality of dumpster diving differs based on location. In some places, it is entirely illegal, considered trespassing and theft. A 2009 Supreme Court of Canada ruling affirmed that once an item is discarded in the trash, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, allowing others to collect it without permission legally. However, divers still need to be careful not to trespass on private property or make a mess while looking through dumpsters or bins. There are also some safety and health risks to consider when dumpster diving.

Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Ontario?

The legality of dumpster diving in Ontario depends on whether the dumpster is on public or private property. A 2009 Supreme Court of Canada ruling is generally cited as a legal precedent for dumpster diving activities in the province.

The case involved a man charged with theft after taking discarded items from the dumpster behind a Victoria, British Columbia grocery store. The charges were dismissed on appeal, with the court ruling that the man had not technically stolen anything since the items were abandoned and of no value to the store.

This established that once an item is discarded in the garbage, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy or ownership. As long as the dumpster is on public property and accessible without trespassing, scavenging the contents is legal within Canada.

However, dumpsters located on private property rather than public land would still be considered trespassing, potentially leading to prosecution. Dumpster divers should familiarize themselves with property lines and accessibility before attempting to retrieve disposed items from private dumpsters.

Regarding ethics, it is advisable to avoid making a mess while diving and leave the area cleaner than you found it. Having implicit or explicit permission from the business owner also helps make the practice more ethical, though not necessarily required for legal purposes if on public property.

Taking reasonable safety precautions, diving at appropriate times when a business is closed, and generally using common sense goes a long way to keep dumpster diving within legal and ethical bounds in Ontario.

Potential Finds & Financial Benefits

Dumpster diving can uncover all kinds of discarded goods, from food to furniture. Some of the most common types of items people find dumpster diving include:

  • Food – Bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants, and food processing plants often throw away food items after their best before date passes, even though they are still safe to eat. Divers can find bread, produce, packaged foods, baked goods, and prepared meals.
  • Cosmetics and personal care items – Health and beauty retailers frequently discard makeup, skincare, hair products, and fragrances that have been opened or returned. These products are usually still sealed and usable.
  • Clothing and accessories – Department stores, fashion boutiques, and clothing outlets regularly get rid of unsold apparel, shoes, jewelry, handbags and more. Items might have minor flaws or be last season’s styles.
  • Home goods – Furniture stores, home decor shops, and hardware outlets toss furniture, appliances, tools, kitchenware and home accessories on a regular basis. Products might have damage or defects.
  • Media – Bookstores, music shops, and electronic retailers often throw out CDs, DVDs, video games, books, and magazines. These are usually still in good condition.
  • Toys and games – Toy stores frequently dispose of action figures, board games, stuffed animals and playsets that didn’t sell or have been opened. These can often be cleaned.

The potential savings from dumpster diving can really add up. Divers estimate saving $100s or even $1000s per year on products they would otherwise have to buy. The very best places to check for quality discarded goods are strip malls with clusters of big box retailers, grocery stores, pharmacies, dollar stores, and restaurants. With some time and effort, the treasures found dumpster diving can contribute significant savings to your budget.

Financial Benefits

Dumpster diving can offer significant savings on household essentials, big ticket items for reselling, and other valuable goods. Many devoted divers report saving hundreds or even thousands per year by skipping the store and sourcing directly from dumpsters instead.

Dumpsters near larger retail stores, grocery chains, and big box stores like Walmart often contain new or gently used items that were overstocked, returned, slightly damaged in shipping, or nearing a best before date. But they are still perfectly usable if given away. Examples of goods often found through dumpster diving include:

  • Food items nearing their expiration or best before dates – This could include items like packaged snacks, canned goods, drinks, frozen meals, and fresh produce or baked goods. Divers often find large quantities of food still sealed and well within safe consumption limits.
  • Household supplies – Products like cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, over the counter medicine, and other household essentials regularly get tossed while still new and functional.
  • Clothing and shoes – Department stores and clothing chains frequently discard perfectly wearable, often new with tags attached items each season to make room for new inventory.
  • Small appliances and electronics – Returns, display models and older models of things like microwaves, small kitchen gadgets, lamps, clock radios, and TVs regularly get thrown out by major retailers. Many work just fine.
  • Toys, games, books – Kid’s toys, board games with all pieces, and books in good condition are commonly found discarded after the holidays or end of school year.
  • Furniture – Stores periodically chuck furniture that was returned, has minor scratches/damage, or is a floor model to make space. With a little repair work, big ticket furnishings can be salvaged.

The potential savings from retrieving and using these goods for free compared to buying them new is enormous. Avid divers report typical savings of $500-2000+ per year from their finds depending on effort. Compared to shopping thrift stores, yard sales, or other routes to find bargains, dumpsters offer a trove of free items.

Some divers even intentionally seek out valuable items like electronics or specific merchandise brands they know they can clean up and resell for a profit. Although diving with the intent to profit does cross more into ethical gray areas, it shows the potential to find lucrative goods as well.

Risks & Precautions

Dumpster diving does come with some risks that divers should be aware of. The main risks include:

Injury Hazards

Dumpsters can contain broken glass, sharp metal objects, and other hazards that could potentially cause cuts or other injuries. Divers should wear thick gloves and closed-toe shoes to avoid getting hurt while sorting through dumpsters. It’s also advisable to bring a flashlight so you can see potential hazards clearly.

Health Hazards

There could be contaminants, dirt, rotting food, or unsanitary conditions in dumpsters that could pose a health risk. Avoid touching faces and wash hands thoroughly after diving. Perishable foods may be unsafe to eat if they are spoiled or contaminated. Use caution before consuming food found dumpster diving.

Prosecution for Trespassing

Though dumpster diving is legal in Canada, some stores or properties may still prosecute divers for trespassing if they don’t want people going through their dumpsters. It’s best to only dive during the day and avoid any confrontations with owners. Be prepared to leave quickly if asked.

Safety Attire & Precautions

In addition to gloves and closed-toe shoes, bring sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer when dumpster diving. Wear old clothes that can be laundered after. Consider bringing a face mask or bandana to protect from dust and a reflective vest if diving at night. Take all necessary precautions to dive as safely as possible.

The risks involved can be minimized with the right precautions. But it’s still important to be fully aware of the potential hazards before dumpster diving.

How to Start Dumpster Diving Successfully

Once you’ve determined dumpster diving is right for you, it’s time to start preparing for those first dives. Having the right gear and scouting locations will help ensure it’s a safe, effective, and legal experience.

Gather the Essential Dumpster Diving Equipment

Having the right equipment for diving is key. You’ll want to safely access and haul items, while protecting yourself. Recommended gear includes:

  • Flashlight – For peering into dumpsters at night. Headlamps work well to keep hands free.
  • Grabber tool – For reaching and grasping items. Look for one with an extending handle and gripper claw.
  • Step stool – Makes it easier to get into large dumpsters and see what’s inside. Foldable ones are portable.
  • Bags/backpack – For holding and carrying your discovered items. Durable bags that won’t rip when full are ideal.
  • Gloves – Protect your hands from sharp objects and unsanitary items. Waterproof gloves are useful too.
  • Hand sanitizer and washing supplies – Keep yourself clean after dumpster diving.
  • First aid kit – Be prepared in case of injury. Keep basic supplies like bandages on hand.
  • Appropriate shoes & clothes – Wear durable shoes or boots in case of broken glass or sharp debris. Old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty are smart too.

Research Store Schedules and Dumpster Locations

Investigating your potential dumpster locations is key. You want to find ones that get quality disposed items and have accessible dumpsters. Some tips:

  • See when stores put out new stock and are likely to clear old inventory.
  • Department stores, pharmacies and grocery stores typically have the most waste.
  • Check dumpster areas at closing time when new disposal often occurs.
  • Make note of any hard-to-access dumpsters or compactors.
  • Look for neighborhoods with wealthier residents who may discard better goods.

Follow Dumpster Diving Etiquette and Cleanliness

Always be courteous and tidy to maintain a positive, ethical image. Helpful tips include:

  • Only go dumpster diving at night or off hours when businesses are closed.
  • Leave dumpsters looking neat and free of mess when done.
  • Never trespass on private property – stick to easily accessible public areas.
  • Only take clean, sealed items – avoid potential health hazards.
  • Wash your hands and any collected food before consuming anything.
  • Leave pets at home to avoid disturbing businesses or contaminating items.

Following these preparation steps will help ensure your safety and success when you begin dumpster diving. Take it slow at first, and you’ll be furnishing your home and pantry with great discovered items in no time!

Best Practices for Dumpster Diving in Ontario

When getting started with dumpster diving, following best practices is key for diving legally, safely, and ethically. Here are some top tips:

Obtain Permission

  • If possible, ask managers at stores for permission to look through their disposal bins. This ensures you are not trespassing.
  • Be polite in your request and explain you hope to reduce waste. Most managers will give permission if asked.
  • Avoid confrontations with staff and be prepared to leave if asked. Don’t dive in bins marked “No Trespassing.”

Go in a Group

  • Consider bringing 1-2 friends when you go dumpster diving, especially at night. There is safety in numbers.
  • Groups can also help sort through finds faster and carry more. Have a lookout in case staff appear.

Use Proper Tools

  • Invest in a good LED flashlight, grabbing tool, and step stool to dive safely and efficiently.
  • Wear closed-toe shoes and thick gloves to avoid injuries from broken glass or sharp debris.

Leave it Neat

  • Avoid making a mess around bins that could lead to prosecution for petty crimes.
  • Be quick, quiet, and tidy in your dives. Leave dumpsters looking untouched.
  • Bring trash bags to remove any litter you create to keep the area clean.

Clean and Sanitize Finds

  • Thoroughly wash or disinfect items taken to avoid contamination.
  • Inspect food carefully and stick to sealed, packaged items to mitigate health risks.

Know What to Avoid

  • Don’t take items that appear unclean, broken, or spoiled. It’s not worth the risk.
  • Be wary of dumpsters containing chemical waste or other hazardous materials.
  • Avoid confrontation if staff appear – simply apologize and offer to leave promptly.

What to Avoid While Dumpster Diving in Ontario

When dumpster diving, you’ll want to steer clear of certain dumpsters and practices to avoid legal issues or harming yourself. Here’s what to avoid when dumpster diving:

Dangerous Dumpsters

Some dumpsters pose more risks than others. Avoid dumpsters with sharp objects protruding, broken glass, grease or chemical spills, or other visible hazards. Also avoid overly full dumpsters that would be difficult to extract items from. Pay attention to warning labels on dumpsters as well.

Trespassing

Only go dumpster diving where you have permission or on public property. Never trespass on private property or break locks to access a dumpster. You could face legal consequences like fines or even arrest for trespassing. Stick to dumpsters that are unlocked and easily accessible in public areas.

Making a Mess

While diving, be careful not to make a mess around the dumpster area. Avoid pulling items out and leaving them strewn about around the dumpster or parking lot. Not only is this rude, but it could lead to prosecution for littering or vandalism. Leave the area tidy.

Contaminated Goods

Avoid taking items that appear spoiled, rotten, moldy or otherwise contaminated. Consuming contaminated dumpster finds could make you very sick. Also beware of broken containers, torn packages, or products past their expiration date. When in doubt, throw it out rather than risk your health.

By steering clear of illegal, unclean or clearly dangerous dumpster diving, you can avoid many of the downsides. With some common sense and caution, you can dumpster dive safely and legally.

The Bottom Line: Is it Worth it?

Dumpster diving can seem very enticing given the potential to find expensive products for free and reduce waste. However, it also carries notable risks and is not practical or advisable for everyone. Here is an overview of key pros and cons to consider when deciding if trying dumpster diving is right for you:

Pros

  • Save significant money on a range of products, from food to makeup to electronics. Reports of people saving hundreds or even thousands per year.
  • Reduce waste by putting disposed items to use instead of sending them to landfills.
  • Fun, adventurous “treasure hunt” finding surprises in each dumpster.
  • Gain bragging rights and status from successful dives.

Cons

  • Legality is questionable depending on dumpster location and diving practices. Risk of getting prosecuted for trespassing.
  • Health hazards like injuries from broken glass or foodborne illnesses from spoiled food.
  • Requires time commitment to research locations, go on dives, clean items. Unpredictable what you will find each time.
  • Physical hazards from climbing into dumpsters and digging through garbage. Risk of needlestick injuries, cuts, etc.
  • Social stigma from many who view digging through trash as weird or gross. Keep it secret or risk your reputation.

The Bottom Line:

For the financially struggling or extreme anti-consumerists, dumpster diving can be a legitimate way to save money or reduce principles. However, it requires assuming notable legal, health and social risks not suitable for everyone. Try a few low-risk dives first before committing. In general, you get what you pay for – junk is often disposed for a reason. Proceed with caution as dumpster diving has higher costs than just the price tag when buying items normally.

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