F E A T U R E A R T I C L E

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Dumpster diving is the latest craze to sweep the naiton. With so many companies throw out perfectly servica-ble goods because they are getting an upgrade when that computer still works, or because the food is on its last sell-by date but it is still boxed and delicious. There are many dumpster diving communities, and just as many people who keep an eye on where the best skips or dumpsters are in their areas and visit them on a semi-regular basis to see what they can find.

1) On your street you see some-one has thrown out a perfectly good chair/table/lamp/sofa/cute voodoo doll that would look perfect in your room. You can’t believe the person threw this thing of beauty away. Do you like the idea of taking it home, and maybe phoning a friend to help you carry it?

2) You are bored one night and looking for something fun to do. You want to do something ad-venturous and different. Are you willing to venture into dumpster diving for cheap entertainment?

3) It’s your friend’s birthday and you see a florist has thrown away the most beautiful wrapped flowers you’ve ever seen. They would cost a couple of days’ wages to buy, but they’re sitting there, ready for the taking. Do you give them to your friend, telling them the truth about how you found them?

If the answer to any of these ques-tions is yes, you have a firm grasp of DIY ethic. You’re ready to become a dumpster diver! Skips or dumpsters can usually be found in the centre of town on a regular basis. Sometimes you will see them in residential streets when people are moving house, but you can’t rely on this. Good areas to look for when trying to find a skip are flo-rists, supermarkets or grocery stores, despartment stores, residential areas and expensive food stores. Most seasoned dumpster divers prefer to do their devil’s work in the early morning (think 5.30am) or late night (think 10.30pm onwards). Dumpster diving is legal on the whole, but life is so much easier when you don’t have to explain yourself to interested passers-by.

SO IS DUMPSTER DIVING LEGAL?

In most instances, yes. Most areas consider rubbish to be a public do-main. Think of anorak-types look-ing for pennies on a beach with a

metal detector - what they’re doing is perfectly legal, and they’re just on the hunt for very, very old trash! So long as you don’t rummage around in any fenced-off skips or dumpsters pro-tected by a no trespass sign, you’ll be fine. Again, if someone doesn’t want you there, don’t argue the case with them - just go. You’re not doing anything illegal, but you’re diving to have fun and get things for free, not to create any misunderstandings.

TRASH OR TREASURE?

ASK YOURSELF THESE THREE QUESTIONS TO SEE IF YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A DUMPSTER DIVER:

Make sure you’re equipped for the mission with Your Very Own Dumpster Diving Kit (£26, noveltygifts.co.uk), which contains a ladies head torch and pink dumpster diving gloves to protect your perfectly manicured nails. If its not your thing then this little kit makes a perfect gift idea for a friend.

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