In the past, diving was commonly done by those in poverty or the homeless seeking items for personal use, but today, dumpster diving has broadened to be undertaken by freegans, environmentalists, anarchists, and others seeking to reduce waste and consumerism, avoid or repurpose items thrown out by businesses, and/or save money through obtaining free goods.
While still viewed with caution by businesses and authorities in some places, in Quebec and most of Canada, the legal standing of dumpster diving is clear – it is allowed, as long as divers do not trespass on private property, make a mess, or otherwise break local bylaws or ordinances. This gives those willing to brave dumpster diving in Quebec a great deal of latitude to recover and repurpose waste legally and ethically and throughout the country.
Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Quebec?
Dumpster diving is not prohibited by any laws in Quebec or elsewhere in Canada. However, there are some restrictions to be aware of.
Dumpster diving does not violate trespassing laws as long as the dumpsters are located in a public place or area accessible without trespassing on private property. You cannot legally dive in dumpsters located behind fences, buildings, or other areas marked “private property” or “no trespassing” without the owner’s permission.
While you can access trash in public areas, some municipal by-laws prohibit making a mess while dumpster diving. It’s important to place items neatly beside the dumpster while sorting so as to not litter. You should always make an effort to leave the area cleaner than when you arrived.
In general, the law allows people to retrieve and keep items that are clearly abandoned in publicly accessible areas. However, you should avoid confronting store owners or getting into any conflicts while dumpster diving. Maintaining courtesy and respecting wishes if asked to leave is critical.
So in summary, dumpster diving itself is legal in Quebec as long as you avoid trespassing and making a big mess in the process. Just be smart and considerate when diving to avoid any issues with store owners or law enforcement.
Ethics of Dumpster Diving in Quebec
Dumpster diving is generally considered ethical and does not deprive businesses of their rightful property. Stores and companies routinely throw out massive amounts of still-edible food, usable goods, and functional items on a daily basis. When divers rescue discarded items and put them to good use, they are reducing waste rather than stealing goods stores intend to sell or profit from.
The reality is that once an item is thrown in the dumpster and left on the curb for collection, the store has relinquished ownership and rights to it. Recovering and repurposing perfectly good food, clothes, furniture, electronics and more is far better for the environment than allowing it to rot in a landfill. The companies voluntarily relinquished these items by discarding them. As long as divers aren’t making a big mess in the process of sorting through dumpsters, it does not negatively impact the businesses at all.
Some view dumpster diving as a political statement against rampant consumerism and companies’ wasteful practices. But for many divers, it’s simply a practical way to access free goods and reduce waste in their local community. Legally and ethically, once an item is discarded in the trash, it is fair game. As long as divers follow safety precautions and do not trespass on private property, dumpster diving is a victimless act. It keeps usable goods out of landfills, saves money for the diver, and doesn’t deprive businesses of inventory they intend to sell or profit from. Overall, it’s a win-win situation when divers help themselves to the abundance that businesses carelessly toss out every day.
Safety Tips for Dumpster Diving
Dumpster diving can be very rewarding, but there are some safety precautions you should take to make sure you have a safe and legal experience. Here are some key tips:
Recommended Clothing and Gear
– Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects. Thick rubber gloves are ideal.
– Wear old clothes that cover your arms and legs to avoid direct contact with dumpster contents.
– Bring a flashlight or headlamp so you can see inside dumpsters at night.
– Bring a bag or backpack to collect and carry anything you want to take.
– Consider bringing hand sanitizer or wet wipes to clean your hands after diving.
Avoiding Injuries
– Be aware of sharp objects like broken glass, metal edges, or syringes that could cut you.
– Don’t climb or lean too far into dumpsters, as you could fall in or get stuck.
– If a dumpster looks too full or precarious to dig through safely, skip it. Better to play it safe.
– Shake out any bags or boxes before you look inside, in case there are needles or hazardous waste.
– Wear closed-toe shoes to protect your feet from stepping on glass.
– Keep first aid supplies on hand in case you do get a minor cut.
Safe Food Handling
– Avoid dumpster food that is unwrapped or appears spoiled. Focus on packaged items.
– Check expiration and best before dates and only take non-expired food.
– Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any food from dumpsters.
– Keep dumpster food sealed and separate from non-dumpster food at home.
– Cook dumpster food thoroughly before eating to kill any bacteria. When in doubt, throw it out.
By taking proper precautions, you can dive safely and avoid health hazards. Stay clean, alert and cautious when exploring dumpsters.
Best Places For Dumpster Diving in Quebec
Grocery stores often have good dumpsters to check. Look behind large supermarket chains like Metro, IGA, Provigo, and Maxi for dumpsters. They will likely have food items like produce, baked goods, dairy products, and other groceries that have passed their sell-by date but are still safe to consume. Just be sure to evaluate food for freshness.
Bakeries also tend to have dumpsters full of edible baked goods that are thrown out each night or morning after they are no longer saleable but still fresh and tasty. From bread and rolls to bagels, pastries, cakes, and more, bakery dumpster hauls can yield wheat-based treats. Check dumpsters behind artisanal bakeries as well as chains like Première Moisson.
Outdoor public markets can be another target. Stroll through farmer’s markets in your city earlier in the day and note which vendors are packing up unsold fruits, vegetables, and other products. Return later when the market has closed for the day and check dumpsters. The Jean-Talon Market in Montreal is renowned for its farmer’s market dumpster bounty.
For non-food items, retail store dumpsters can overflow with hidden treasure. Some popular targets are craft, clothing, book, furniture, and department stores. Walmart, Best Buy, clothing boutiques, Michaels, and other chains have been known to toss perfectly good items. Check dumpsters late at night after restocking.
In Montreal, good spots to try include the alley between Milton and University Street, the Plateau on weekend nights, Mile End bakeries, and Westmount adjacent to malls. Other Quebec cities like Quebec City, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, and Trois-Rivières also offer retail and grocery dumpster opportunities. Just explore strips malls, grocery plazas, and alleys behind shops to find dumpsters.
What You Can Find Dumpster Diving
One of the best parts of dumpster diving is that you never know what treasures you might uncover. Here are some of the most common and useful items people often find while dumpster diving in Quebec:
Edible Food
Grocery stores, bakeries, markets, and restaurants often throw out food that is still fresh and edible but past its sell-by date. Dumpster divers can find fruits, vegetables, bread, pastries, frozen foods, and more that are perfectly good to eat. However, caution should be used to check food for spoilage.
Clothing
Retail outlets frequently discard clothing with minor defects or that didn’t sell during the season. Brand name clothing in excellent condition is commonly found in dumpsters. Shoes, jackets, t-shirts and other garments can be recovered and donated or added to your wardrobe.
Furniture
Furniture that is slightly damaged or has been returned is often tossed out behind department and furniture stores. With a little repair work, dumpster divers can find chairs, tables, couches, shelves, and more.
Electronics
While electronics can be more rare, dumpster divers may come across discarded gaming systems, cables, computer accessories, small appliances, and other electronic items that are still functional. These can usually be cleaned up and put to use.
Household Items
Stores regularly throw away useful household supplies, tools, decorations, linens, organizational items, and more that were overstocked or returned. For the dumpster diver, this translates to valuable finds.
With some luck and persistence, Quebec dumpster divers can furnish much of their household for free with usable goods found in dumpsters. From kitchenware to books and everything in between, you never know what you might take home from a night of dumpster diving. Just be sure to clean and sanitize any recovered items before using them.
Police Encounters While Diving
While dumpster diving is legal in Quebec, police officers may still approach you while you are searching through dumpsters. It’s important to know your rights but also be respectful to the police.
If an officer asks what you are doing, calmly explain you are dumpster diving in accordance with the law. Have a look through the dumpster and move along if the officer asks you to leave the premises. Don’t argue or be confrontational.
Police are within their rights to ask for your identification. Be cooperative and provide your ID if requested. However, you do not have to consent to any further searches or questioning. Politely state you do not agree to any searches if asked.
Keep in mind police may receive calls from businesses or citizens unfamiliar with dumpster diving. An officer responding likely just wants to confirm you are not vandalizing property or otherwise breaking the law. Cooperate with any lawful orders while standing up for your rights.
If you are on public property, not trespassing, and not making a mess, the police cannot arbitrarily tell you to stop dumpster diving or leave the area. But don’t escalate the situation by refusing to cooperate with an officer’s requests.
Stay calm and focused on finding what you need in the dumpster. If asked to move along, thank the officer and go try another location. Knowing the law and being respectful goes a long way in a police encounter while dumpster diving.
Seeking Permission from Stores
While you don’t legally need permission to go through a store’s dumpster in Quebec, seeking consent from the store manager can help avoid confrontations and improve relations. The law protects your right to dumpster dive in public areas, but stores may still take issue with the practice.
Dumpster areas are often considered private property even though they are externally accessible. Some stores have policies prohibiting dumpster diving and may ask divers to leave if notice. Though you don’t have to comply, this creates an unnecessary hassle.
Gaining the store manager’s permission ahead of time can prevent problems. Explain that you aim to reuse discarded items instead of sending them to landfills. Offer to keep the area clean and organized. The manager may set rules like coming at certain times and not making a mess.
If a store employee confronts you, try explaining that you received the manager’s consent. Often lower-level staff are unaware of dumpster diving allowances granted by higher-ups. Cooperate with requests to leave while noting the manager permitted you. Follow up with the manager directly later on to clarify the policy going forward.
With some courtesy and communication, dumpster divers can maintain positive relations with stores. The law protects your right to dumpster diving, but getting explicit permission can make the endeavour more pleasant for all parties.
Hi, I’m Ivy, and I dumpster dive a lot! I’ve been diving for 10 years now & I’ve been able to reduce my carbon footprint so much. I live off what I dive, and I usually donate a couple hundred pounds of food per month to my local food pantry.
Long term, I plan on opening my own food pantry in Florida. This way I will be able to help those in need to get not only the food they need but the healthy fresh food they need, which most food pantries don’t/can’t give away.