MzMari3

So since I have started dumpster diving, I keep getting asked questions about diving. Some of the questions have been repetitive.  So this blog will clear up the questions for you.

1. Can I go with you next time? Now in the nicest way possible, the answer is no if I have more than one other person with me. Think about it, if I have 5 people with me, then we gotta share everything among five people. There came a time in which I had to start rotating people because I was getting asked too much! LOL I actually had a schedule and had to politely tell some people “no, not right now”.  So if you ask, don’t take my hesitation as a blow off. I just don’t like to share with too many people. Neither would you.
2. Where do you dive? So how about, “uh nah”! I’m not telling you where I go because I don’t want to go out one night and you there taking “my” stuff!! You are not gonna beat me at my own game! So I will give you some suggestion of types of places you should seek out, but never the place. There are only a select few who know where I go simply for the fact we usually go together and if we see stuff each other would like, we share it with each other.
3. What do I need to bring? Now this question will have to be broken down. Simply for the fact that every dive is different. Here are some things that you must absolutely not leave home without.Now these tips only refer to non-food dives:

• Gloves: Not just any regular gloves! I suggest the rubber ones that you use to clean. Simple for the fact that you might grab something sharp. I know you might be like “Why not thick construction gloves?” Thick gloves hinder your grabbing of items. I used some once and had to take them off because I had a hard time grabbing items. Just because we are not digging through regular trash, you still need to protect yo’ self!
• Stepping stool: I am 5 foot 7, so I don’t need a stool, but my friends are usually shorter than me. I noticed that I was the only one being able to reach stuff. So get a little stool you would get for a child and you are good to go.
• Boots: I always wear my rubber rain boots. They are easy to clean if they get dirty. They also come up high enough for my mental sanitary saneness. If you have ever done this in the rain, you will know that you don’t want to come home to wet and soggy tennis shoes.
• Designated driver: You need someone who is able and ready to jump in and drive away really fast as if someone is chasing you. Hahaha JK. But seriously, this really helps with timing for jumping out the car and checking a dumpster. Having to put the car in park, turn off the car (you don’t want anyone to steal your car) then checking the dumpster can be tedious. Then you gotta get back in the car and restart the whole process!! It may not be that serious to some but after having it both ways, having someone stay in the car was the best for me, especially in rain or cold weather.
• Flashlight: This tip should be a no brainer. Because it is obvious that you are only diving at night, you are gonna need that light. You would hate to touch the wrong thing in the dumpster!!
• Know your area: You will need to learn the trash schedules for the area that you are diving in. This will help you get the best out of your dives. You don’t want to dive the night after they picked up trash. That will not be beneficial to you. If you can, try out Monday and Tuesday nights. Simply for the fact that a lot of stores have made a lot of returns during the weekend and throw out great stuff that has little to no defect. Also you want to try doing it when the staff is not there. So going about an hour after closing of the store is the earliest you should go.
• Bags (if needed): Most of the stuff I dive for cannot fit in a bag. But if you are dumpster diving at food places, you will need a bag to keep up with all the stuff. Sometimes you might find some items from other stores that you would like to keep up with in a bag.
• Take only what you will use (No Hoarding): Don’t be greedy and take stuff just for the fun of it. Do not become a hoarder! It is not cool to just take stuff for the sake of taking it. If you not gonna use it, leave it. My rule is: if you have to really think about what you are gonna do with it, leave it. 
• Be respectful: Don’t go through the trash and leave stuff all around. Put the stuff back where you got it from. Don’t be rude. This is friendly adventure. You wouldn’t want anyone going through your stuff and leaving it in a mess. Be respectful.

Hopefully these little tricks will help you have a successful dive. Those who haven’t tried it, grab your BFF and head out! It’s a lot of fun! You’ll be amazed at what stores throw out because they can’t legally give away.

-Mzmari3