Mike the Scavenger

How Mike the Scavenger Makes Bank Dumpster Diving

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Mike the Scavenger is a dumpster diving expert with a huge following on YouTube and TikTok. His entertaining videos documenting his dumpster diving adventures have earned him over 500k subscribers across his social channels.

Mike got started dumpster diving over 5 years ago out of curiosity and a desire to live more sustainably. He was shocked by the kinds of things stores and restaurants throw out on a daily basis and realized dumpster diving could be a fun treasure hunt while also reducing waste.

His videos showcase his night-time dumpster diving outings across local stores and neighborhoods. Mike has a knack for finding hidden gems – high-end makeup, vintage electronics, game consoles and more. Viewers love his unfiltered personality and seeing the surprise “reveal” of what he uncovers on each dive.

Mike’s urban scavenging exploits have gained major viral attention. His TikTok account went from 10k to over 300k followers within months. Fans are fascinated by the bizarre, valuable and unexpected items he excavates from dumpsters. Mike’s fun-loving spirit and contagious enthusiasm for dumpster diving makes for entertaining content that keeps viewers coming back.

Getting Started with Mike the Scavenger

Mike first got into dumpster diving back in college, when he was looking for free or discounted items to furnish his apartment. He started checking dumpsters behind home goods stores and discovered you could find amazing, barely used items that had just been thrown out. Mike was drawn to dumpster diving as a way to get free, unique items, be more sustainable, and have fun adventures seeing what he could uncover.

Is dumpster diving legal? The short answer is – it depends. Dumpster diving is legal in some places and illegal in others. Some key factors:

  • Location – Dumpster diving laws vary by city, county, and state. Some places have banned it outright, while others have no rules. Look up local ordinances.
  • Trespassing – Avoid any “No Trespassing” signs. Only scavenge in public areas or places you have permission to be. Don’t climb fences or break locks.
  • Taking trash – Most places allow scavenging discarded items left outside dumpsters in public areas. But removing anything still inside a dumpster is riskier.
  • Make a mess – Scatter trash around or damage property and you could get in trouble for vandalism or littering. Leave dumpsters neater than you found them.

Safety tips:

  • Go during the daytime and with a friend if possible for safety.
  • Wear old clothes, gloves, and closed toe shoes to protect from sharp objects and gunk.
  • Don’t climb or lean into dumpsters where you could get trapped or stuck by compactors.
  • Wash your hands and shower after to avoid germs or contamination.

Best practices:

  • Hit retail locations on nights before trash pickup when dumpsters are fullest.
  • Bring tools like flashlights, grabbers, boxes to transport finds.
  • Start with dumpsters behind home goods or furniture stores for easiest scavenging. They often toss lightly damaged items.
  • Don’t take food or anything perishable to avoid health risks.
  • If asked to leave, be polite and move along to a new spot. Don’t argue.

Common beginner mistakes:

  • Going too often to the same spots – rotate locations so stores don’t ban you.
  • Making a mess – be neat and leave spots cleaner than you found them.
  • Taking unsafe items – avoid broken glass or anything contaminated.
  • Not watching for compactor dumpsters – don’t climb inside for any reason.
  • Forgetting tools – bring flashlights, grabbers, and boxes to transport finds.

Mike the Scavenger’s Scavenging Process

Mike the Scavenger

Mike has honed an efficient process for scoping out new dumpster locations and planning his dives. He focuses on areas with stores, restaurants, apartments complexes, and offices – anywhere that large volumes of consumer goods get discarded.

Mike will first drive through an area to get a lay of the land. He looks for large dumpsters that are accessible from the street or alleyways, avoiding anywhere he’d need to trespass. The size and type of businesses nearby offer clues into what type of items he might uncover. For example, dumpsters behind electronics stores likely contain gadgets and appliances, while apartment complexes may have more furniture and household goods.

When diving, Mike the Scavenger brings a flashlight, grabber tool, box cutter, gloves, and trash bags. He’ll start by quickly rifling through dumpsters and scanning for anything valuable. Some days he gets lucky and finds phones, laptops, or popular toys still in the box. Other times, it’s mostly generic waste. Either way, Mike digs methodically through each layer.

Over the years, Mike has uncovered some incredible treasures. Once he found a bag full of vintage baseball cards worth over $10,000. Another time he scored luxury purses and brand new power tools. But not every trip yields gold. Mike enjoys the thrill of the hunt, even when all he comes home with is a box of duct tape and old VHS tapes. The uniqueness of each dumpster dive keeps him coming back for more.

Making Money Dumpster Diving

One of the most common questions Mike gets is whether you can actually make decent money dumpster diving and reselling items. The answer is yes – if you know what to look for and put in the time and effort.

When scouting potential dumpsters, Mike pays close attention to ones behind stores that sell higher end merchandise like electronics, sporting goods, home furnishings, and clothing retailers. These tend to yield items in the best condition that can be resold for higher profits. Some of Mike’s best finds have come from dumpsters behind appliance and furniture stores, where people often toss out brand new in-box items that just have a small defect or damaged packaging.

Clothing and shoes can be big money makers if they are in good shape. Popular brands like Nike, Adidas, North Face, Patagonia, and designer labels can often be resold for close to retail pricing on sites like eBay and Poshmark. Mike always checks dumpsters behind department stores, outlet malls, and college dorms at move-out time for lightly used apparel.

For electronics, Mike stresses testing items before listing to make sure they function properly. MP3 players, gaming systems, laptops, tablets, and computer components tend to sell well if fully operational. Anything that powers on has potential for resale or can be parted out for scrap value.

To clean items, Mike recommends wearing gloves and scrubbing off dirt or grime with soap and water. For clothing, run items through the washing machine if needed to freshen them up. Check for any flaws and make repairs if possible. If items are new in an open box, carefully repackage them to maximize value.

To sell online, Mike primarily uses eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and apps like Letgo and OfferUp. He photographs items professionally, writes detailed descriptions, and prices competitively based on market value. Shipping and handling costs are factored in for eBay listings.

On average, Mike earns between $800-$1,500 per month reselling items he’s found dumpster diving. While not enough to fully replace a full-time income, it serves as a lucrative side hustle that funds his hobby and allows him to earn cash doing something he genuinely enjoys.

The Lighter Side of Dumpster Diving

Dumpster diving can lead to some pretty funny and unexpected situations. Mike has plenty of humorous stories from his scavenging adventures over the years.

One time, Mike was dumpster diving behind a grocery store when an employee came outside and confronted him. The employee accused Mike of stealing and threatened to call the police. Mike tried to explain that dumpster diving is legal, but the employee wouldn’t listen. As the argument got more heated, the store manager walked outside to see what was going on. To Mike’s surprise, the manager recognized him from his YouTube videos! The manager told the employee to back off and let Mike scavenge in peace. He even brought out a box of goods for Mike that they were throwing away!

Another memorable encounter was the time Mike went dumpster diving in a ritzy neighborhood late at night. As he was digging through bags of trash behind a mansion, the motion-activated floodlights suddenly came on. Mike was blinded by the bright lights and heard a security alarm go off. He grabbed his bag of findings and hightailed it out of there before any guards showed up!

When people find out Mike dumpster dives for a living, they often have shocked reactions. Some are impressed by his thriftiness and resourcefulness. Others are concerned about the hygiene or legality of it. Mike gets a kick out of revealing his unusual occupation and debunking myths about dumpster diving. He remembers one time he took a girl on a date and when she asked what he did for work, she was horrified when he told her. She must have thought he was pulling her leg because there was no second date!

Mike loves sharing the humorous stories that come with the job. He says the excitement of not knowing what you’ll find or who you’ll run into is part of the fun with dumpster diving. The lifestyle certainly keeps him on his toes!

Advice for Beginners from Mike the Scavenger

As a seasoned dumpster diving pro, I’ve picked up many tips and tricks over the years that I’m happy to pass on to newbies wanting to get started. Here are my top recommendations for diving in safely and legally while maximizing your finds:

Start Slowly and Scout Locations

When you’re first starting out, take time to scout potential dumpsters and get a lay of the land before diving in. Look for dumpsters that are outside large retail stores, grocery stores, universities, and apartment complexes – these tend to have the best finds. Try going at night when stores are closed to avoid confrontations.

Come Prepared

Bring tools like a flashlight, gloves, reusable bags, a grabber tool, and step stool. Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. It’s also smart to bring sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer. You want to protect yourself from germs, and be able to clean any items you retrieve.

Know the Laws

Before diving, look up your local ordinances on dumpster diving. As long as the dumpster is on public property and not locked or marked private, it’s generally legal. Avoid any dumpsters behind fences or on private property. If asked to leave, be polite and don’t argue.

Start Small

Don’t take more than you need when starting out. Grab a few smaller items to get a feel for the process. Opening bags and digging deep can get messy fast. Build up to bigger hauls as you get more comfortable.

Watch for Hazards

Use caution when looking through dumpsters – be alert for anything sharp, toxic chemicals, or food waste that could be spoiled. Avoid climbing inside, and wear protective gear as needed.

Be Discreet

Keep a low profile when diving, and leave the area clean when done. The last thing you want is to get a reputation or irritate store owners. Being respectful ensures you can come back again.

With practice, you’ll get better at identifying valuable items and maximizing your hauls. Just remember to always be safe and ethical when dumpster diving. With these tips, you’ll be diving like a pro in no time!

Key Takeaways & Wrap Up

Dumpster diving provides Mike with much more than just free items and supplemental income. For him, it’s become a passion and lifestyle that gives him a thrill and sense of satisfaction.

Mike loves the excitement of never knowing what he’ll find on a given night. The surprises and valuable discoveries are a rush. He also enjoys the challenge of identifying and repairing items to resell. What some may see as trash, Mike sees as opportunity.

Beyond the material finds, Mike values the freedom dumpster diving provides. He can set his own schedule and doesn’t have a boss to answer to. It also aligns with his ideals of living sustainably by giving new life to discarded items.

Dumpster diving has also connected Mike with a great community, both locally and online. He’s made many friends and bonds with fellow divers.

If you want to learn more about dumpster diving from Mike the Scavenger or follow his scavenging adventures, you can find him active on most social platforms:

He also has a website, MikesScavengingTips.com, where he shares guides, tips, and more insights into his unique lifestyle. Mike welcomes everyone interested in dumpster diving to reach out and connect!

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