Dumpster diving, bin diving, skip dipping, or curb crawling refers to rummaging through dumpsters and trash containers to find discarded items that still have value. Although it may seem taboo to some, dumpster diving does not break any major laws, at least in New Hampshire and Portsmouth.
New Hampshire has no state laws prohibiting the search of trash receptacles as long as no property damage, trespassing, or mess is created. The city of Portsmouth does not have any local ordinances banning dumpster diving. Legally speaking, once an item is discarded in the trash the original owner relinquishes ownership rights to it. This creates an opportunity for frugal folks to salvage and reuse items that otherwise head to the landfills.
So, if you want to try your hand at dumpster diving in Portsmouth, you don’t need to worry about breaking the law or getting fined. However, it’s still wise to be discreet, respectful of locations, and exercise common sense. This guide will cover the ins and outs of safely and productively dumpster diving in Portsmouth.
Best Locations For Dumpster Diving In Portsmouth
While there is no shortage of dumpsters to pick through in Portsmouth, some locations yield better finds than others regarding dumpster diving.
Pharmacies
Most large chain pharmacies like CVS and Rite Aid will have a dumpster on site where they dispose of unsold merchandise, returns, and expired products. This can be a great spot to find unexpired non-perishable food, personal hygiene products like shampoo or soap, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and sometimes even unopened over-the-counter medications. Just be aware that digging through pharmacy dumpsters comes with some legal risks.
Retail Stores
Clothing stores, department stores, bookstores, hobby shops, and other retail establishments will frequently toss lightly damaged, returned, or unsold products. By dumpster diving behind these stores, divers can often find clothes with minor defects, gently used shoes, toys and games with all the pieces, and books in good condition.
Apartment Complexes
When tenants move in or out of an apartment complex, they often leave behind a trove of discarded but still usable items next to the dumpsters. From furniture to kitchenware to decor, divers can furnish an entire home with cast-offs from a single apartment complex around moving day. Just be mindful not to make a mess while scouring their dumpsters.
Valuable Finds
Dumpster diving can unearth some surprising treasures if you get lucky. While a lot of what you’ll find is trash and not usable, there are plenty of discarded items that still have value and can be cleaned up for personal use or resold.
Some of the most worthwhile dumpster diving finds include:
- Unopened food – Non-perishable and sealed food items like canned goods, boxed snacks, bottled drinks can be good long after their expiration date. Just check cans for dents or swelling.
- Scrap metal and wire – Copper, aluminum, brass, and other metals can be recycled for cash. Appliances, electronics, furniture, and construction debris often have reusable metals.
- Jewelry and watches – Precious metals and stones are regularly tossed. Inspect carefully for brand names or real gems. Gold and silver jewelry can be sold to scrap buyers.
- Vintage items – Older toys, decor, clothing, and oddities sometimes get thrown out by those unaware of their collectible value. Antique shops may buy truly unique vintage pieces.
- Furniture – With a little TLC to fix scratches or worn upholstery, quality wood furniture can look brand new. Spot discarded tables, chairs, dressers, cabinets to rebuild or resell.
- Housewares – Dishes, small appliances, home decor, and kitchenware are commonly tossed when properties change occupants. Wash and polish to ready for resale.
- Clothing and shoes – Designer brands, specialty clothing like vintage concert tees, and quality footwear are worth diving for. Check for stains/damage.
- Media – CDs, DVDs, records, and books can be sold online or to secondhand stores. Seek rare, collectible titles and editions.
- Electronics – Phones, gaming systems, TVs, computers. If they power on, electronics can sell for good cash, even with cosmetic damage.
With some effort and luck, the right dumpster dive can yield profitable finds to offset the time spent rummaging through trash. Focus on items with intrinsic value beyond their original use.
Safety Precautions
Dumpster diving does carry some risks that you’ll want to take precautions against. Safety should always come first when dumpster diving. Here are some tips:
- Wear thick gloves – This protects your hands from sharp objects like broken glass, rusty metal, or jagged edges in the dumpster. Gloves also help avoid direct contact with gross or contaminated items.
- Bring a flashlight – It’s hard to see what’s at the bottom of a dumpster. Having a flashlight lets you spot hazards or valuable items even in low light.
- Use trash grabbers – Reaching into a dumpster with your bare hands is a bad idea. Use an extended grabber tool to fish out items instead.
- Avoid injuries – Be alert to sharp protruding objects that could cut you. Don’t try to climb or lean too far into a dumpster either.
- Avoid contamination – Don’t directly touch anything gross or potentially contaminated. Watch for items like dirty diapers, rotting food waste, or medical/chemical waste.
- Have emergency supplies – Bring disinfectant, a first aid kit, and anything else you might need in case of injury or exposure to hazardous materials.
- Go with a friend – Having someone watch your back is safer than dumpster diving alone. They can get help if you get hurt or stuck.
- Watch for wildlife – Raccoons, rats, and other critters are often scavenging in dumpsters. Give them space and retreat if they get confrontational over a tasty morsel.
The bottom line is protecting yourself should be your top concern when dumpster diving. Come prepared with the right protective gear and awareness of risks. Never take unnecessary chances just to salvage something.
Assessing Finds
Once you’ve hauled in your dumpster diving treasures, it’s time to take a closer look and decide what’s worth keeping. You’ll want to inspect everything closely for any defects, flaws, or signs of damage before deciding to integrate your dumpster finds into your home or trying to resell them.
Some key things to look for when assessing your dumpster diving discoveries:
- Food items – Give expiration dates a close look. Even if food is still within the expiration date, inspect carefully for signs of spoilage like mold, funny odors, or leaking packaging. Perishable foods like meat and dairy are very risky dumps, best to avoid.
- Furniture – Check for rips, stains, or cracks. Make sure all hardware and moving parts are intact. Assess whether flaws can be fixed with cleaning products, glue/hardware, or refinishing.
- Appliances – Plug in and test electronics. Look for signs of internal damage like rattling or smoking. Appliances with motors should run smoothly without excessive vibration or noise.
- Clothing – Hold up to light, check for stains/holes. Make sure zippers, buttons, and seams are sturdy. Smell clothes for odor especially around armpits. Wash in hot water before wearing.
- Housewares – Inspect dishes, glasses, pots for chips or cracks. Make sure lids fit properly. Check structural integrity of furniture and decor.
Regardless of type of item, give everything a thorough cleaning before assessing further. Grime, food particles, dirt, and residue can often mask flaws. Clean off all dumpster debris using appropriate cleaning products for the material.
Carefully check over your finds and use good judgment on whether items are safe for use and worth keeping or reselling through inspection and cleaning. Flaws and defects may be hidden at first glance.
Reselling Valuable Finds
One of the best things about dumpster diving is you can find items that still have value and can be resold. This helps offset the time and effort it takes to go diving. Here are some tips on reselling the kinds of valuable items you may find:
Antiques and Vintage Items – Sites like Ebay and Etsy are ideal for reselling antiques, vintage clothes, retro games, and old photographs or posters you find diving. Make sure to clean and assess condition before listing items. Take good pictures and accurately describe any flaws. Vintage items are very popular on these sites if priced right.
Scrap Metal – Call around to metal recycling and scrap yards to ask what types of metals they accept and current metal prices. Separate different metals like copper wiring, aluminum cans, and steel. Heavy items like old appliances can be scrapped for decent money. Removing non-metal parts ahead of time gets a better price.
Jewelry – Real jewelry like gold, silver, and gemstones can be sold to pawn shops, jewelry buyers, auction houses, or sites like Craigslist. Use a jeweler’s loupe to check if gems are real. Gold and silver jewelry can be sold for melt value or higher if it’s vintage. Make sure any valuable jewelry found is cleaned well first.
Electronics – Used electronics like phones, laptops, tablets, game systems, and TVs can be sold on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Gazelle or other sites. Make sure electronics work properly and factory reset devices to protect privacy before selling. mention whether items come with chargers, cables, cases etc.
The key is thoroughly cleaning, testing and accurately representing anything you find dumpster diving and want to resell. This ensures you can successfully sell items for top dollar.
Risks and Drawbacks of Dumpster Diving
Dumpster diving does carry some risks and drawbacks that should be considered before trying it out.
Injuries
Dumpster diving can result in cuts, puncture wounds, and other injuries if you’re not careful. Dumpsters often contain broken glass, sharp metal scraps, and other dangerous objects. Always wear thick gloves and be cautious when searching through dumpsters.
Diseases
Dumpster diving exposes you to unsanitary conditions and waste, which can pose a risk of diseases. Anything from the dumpster should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before use. Be aware of potential used needles or other biohazardous materials. Getting a tetanus shot is a good precaution.
Legal Issues
While legal in most cases, dumpster diving could potentially result in civil or criminal charges for trespassing if done on private property without permission. Stick to public alleyways and rights of way to avoid legal risks.
Stigma
Dumpster diving carries a social stigma and many view it as repulsive, unsafe, or associated with homelessness. The activity may damage your reputation if others find out. Consider keeping it private.
Wasted Time and Effort
Many dumpster diving trips result in finding nothing of value. It takes time and effort with no guarantee of usable goods. Be prepared that your haul may just end up back in the trash.
Access Difficulties
More businesses are locking dumpsters and compacting trash to prevent dumpster diving. This reduces access to waste and makes finding anything salvageable less likely.
Health Hazards
Rotting food, dirt, vermin, and hazardous materials in dumpsters can expose you to health hazards not visible on the surface. Even if something looks clean, it may have invisible bacteria or contamination.
Addiction Potential
Some get addicted to the thrill of dumpster diving and compulsively do it even when unnecessary. Make sure it doesn’t become an obsession or unhealthy habit.
Is Dumpster Diving Worth It?
Dumpster diving requires dedication and effort, so it’s natural to question if the time and risks are worthwhile. Here are some key pros and cons to weigh:
Pros
- Finding valuable items for free like antiques, vintage goods, electronics, etc. These can be sold or used.
- Getting free food and consumer goods like unexpired foods, beauty products, clothes, etc.
- The thrill of the hunt and excitement when discovering something great.
- Environmental benefits of reducing waste.
Cons
- It’s dirty. You’ll have to dig through messy, smelly trash.
- Risk of injury from broken glass, sharp metal, unsanitary items.
- Could get in trouble for trespassing if not careful about where you dive.
- Stigma associated with rummaging through garbage.
Best Practices
If you decide to try dumpster diving, some best practices include:
– Go with a friend for safety and help spotting good finds.
– Bring gloves, boots, flashlight and other protective gear.
– Look for dumpsters away from buildings to avoid confrontation.
– Only take unbroken items in good condition.
– Clean anything you take to use or resell.
– Be quick, quiet and leave no trace when diving.
With the right expectations and precautions, dumpster diving can be worth it for the potential to find great stuff for free or resale. It offers an alternative way to shop that’s adventurous and environmentally-friendly. Just be smart and safe about where and how you dive.
Conclusion
In summary, dumpster diving in Portsmouth is not illegal but does come with risks. The best dumpsters to check are behind pharmacies, grocery stores, retail shops, and apartment complexes. Valuable finds can include scrap metals, unused foods and personal care items, and potentially vintage goods. However safety should be a priority – use gloves, flashlights, grabber tools, and avoid hazardous materials. It’s also important to be respectful by not making a mess. Assess your finds carefully, clean them thoroughly, and make sure there are no recalls or defects before considering reselling high-value items.
Overall, dumpster diving can unearth some surprising treasures if you’re willing to get a little dirty. But approach it carefully, legally, and safely. It may satisfy your curiosity or need to live frugally without spending much money. Just be ready for unpleasant sights and smells. You could walk away with some great finds or nothing at all. Yet compared to buying everything brand new, it’s a low stakes way to potentially score items for free.
Welcome to the world of Trash Panda, a self-proclaimed and proudly certified Trash Panda of the literary realm! Embracing the art of ‘binning’ in both life and writing, CA dives into the creative dumpsters of imagination, unearthing hidden treasures in the form of quirky tales and whimsical narratives. With a pen as mightier as a raccoon’s paw, he craft stories that resonate with those who dare to embrace the unconventional. Join the journey where every page turned is a win in the adventurous bin of storytelling.