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One person’s trash is another’s treasure, and the ‘Dumpster Diving’ subreddit believes it quite literally, fully embracing the saying. It’s an online community of over 130k members that’s been celebrating the cool things (including pets!) found among the trash since 2009, the year it was founded. With a tagline like ‘Fun with Garbage,’ there’s no way that somebody wouldn’t be intrigued to open the lid and take a peek at what’s going on in the group!
The folks over on r/DumsterDiving are sharing their intriguing finds, and we’ve collected some of their most interesting photos to share with you Pandas. Not only are the pics the perfect metaphor for the fact that Lady Luck can smile on you at any moment, but they’re also a reminder to protect the environment. After all, why buy something new when you can reuse a perfectly good item?
Remember to upvote your fave dumpster finds as you scroll down and let us know if anything from the garbage ever found its way into your home. Be sure to read on for Bored Panda’s interview with Greenpeace about the reuse revolution and where the ultimate responsibility for eco-friendly decisions lies.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Found This Rascal Next To A Dumpster, She Made A Great Addition To The Family And Is By Far My Best Dumpster Diving Haul
RELATED:
#2
Tonight's Find
#3
I Found Her Dumpster Diving This Morning I Was Able To Find Homes For Her Two Sisters But Nobody Wanted Her. Looks Like Now I Have A Cat
According to The World Bank, the world generates a whopping 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste each year. Around a third of that isn’t dealt with in an environmentally safe manner. High-income countries might account for 16 percent of the global population, but they generate 34 percent of the total waste.
Globally, each person creates anywhere from 0.11 to 4.54 kilograms of waste each day, depending on where they live. The situation is bound to get worse as the world’s population increases and more nations become developed. By the year 2050, the amount of global waste is set to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes.
#4
Found In The Alley. It Weighed A Million Tons, Because Those Pillars Are Real Marble
#5
Last Summer I Found 2 China Teacups, And Last Night I Found The Matching Saucers In A Different City!
#6
When Out To Dumpsterdive And Play Pokémon Go Last Night, And Found This Little Cutie. Took Her In And Posted About Her On "Lost Pets" On Facebook. After She Had Been Missing For 2 Weeks, She Finally Got Back Home To Her Parents And She Was Only 3 Months Old
Chrissie Mörbe 3 years ago
VERY good of you to check if she was a lost pet. A lot of people would say "I guess I have a cat now" without thinking twice about whether that cat might have an owner.
One of the biggest problems contributing to climate change and pollution is the massive production of single-use plastics and packaging. If products were built to be used and reused, we’d be in a far better position to deal with the climate crisis.
Greenpeace explained to Bored Panda that it’s mainly corporations that bear the biggest responsibility for changing how plastic is used and produced globally. The role of individuals is still important, however, it’s important not to lose sight of the big picture and where the biggest impact could be made.
#7
Husband: “Honey It’s Just An Empty Case, I Am Not Climbing In For That.” Wife (Me): “Just Get In And Get It The Case Might Be Worth Something, Plus I Have A Feeling.” Who Was Right? Well It Was The Wife Of Course
#8
Found This 1934 First Edition Mary Poppins In The Trash Of The Building I Work In
#9
We Are Such A Wasteful Society, This Was Found In One Cee-Vee-Ess Dumpster
"Though it’s important for individuals to take part in the reuse revolution movement and do their best to reduce their plastic footprints, the responsibility lies on the multinationals that produce single-use plastic packaging in the first place," a Greenpeace representative told Bored Panda.
"One of the big challenges we are faced with is the corporation's addiction to single-use plastic and their relationship with the fossil fuel industry. As global demand for oil declines, the fossil fuel industry is doubling down on plastic, the new frontier for petrochemical production.”
#10
Meet Our Special Find From Last Night! She Was Dumpster Diving Too
#11
I Found This Ring In The Dumpster On Monday! Had It Appraised Yesterday And Found Out It’s A Handmade Gold Ring From The 60s-70s! It’s 14k Gold Band Is Worth $200+ (Stone Is Glass). I Also Found Those Tiny Hands With It Haha
#12
Saved From The Landfill This Weekend!
Greenpeace claims that big corporations are working hand-in-hand with the fossil fuel industry while putting up an eco-friendly front.
“While big brands like Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Pepsi claim they are addressing the plastic pollution crisis, they are working hand-in-hand with the fossil fuel industry and making even more plastic,” the rep said.
“As it stands, plastic production could double within the next 10-15 years, and triple by 2050. This is alarming, especially if we are to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. Plastic is an important part of moving away from fossil fuels, combating climate change, and protecting communities."
#13
Thought Someone Was Throwing Away An Old Violin. Nope, It's Roulette!
#14
Our First Time Diving Last Night. Only One Find, But We Were Thrilled! (She Hasn’t Stopped Guarding It)
#15
Found This Beauty In A Jewelry Box Mixed In With A Bunch Of Fake Jewelry. 14k Yellow Gold, With A 1k Tanzanite Gem In The Middle, Surrounded By 23 Genuine Baguette Diamonds. Having It Appraised In 2 Days
Otter 3 years ago
Hold onto that sucker until you get a really good price! Tanzanite is increasing in value, has been for some years. Apparently the existing mine or mines are played out, and nobody's found a new source in a long time, so the gems are gaining value because people are realizing how scarce they are.
#16
Don't Know What I'm Going To Do With It, But Couldn't See This Be Ruined
#17
It’s Amazing What People Will Throw Away. Late 1960s Schwinn ‘Fair Lady’ Cruiser. My Wife Needed A Bike And Absolutely Loves It!
#18
Got This Side Table From The Curb. It's Top Was Broken, So I Spend A Little Over 3 Hours And €4 Worth Of Rope And Glue To Upcycle It To This!
#19
Thought You Guys Might Like My Fav Trash Pick Ever: Made My Dad Drive 25 Mins One Way In His Truck In Spitting Rain While I Sat With It To Make Sure No One Else Took It Has The Original Record Player Inside Also. I Know It’s Not Everyone’s Style But It’s Like It Was Meant To Be In My 50’s Ranch!
#20
Drove Around Picking Up Pallets People No Longer Wanted And Made Myself A Headboard Out Of Them
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
You would pay a pretty penny for a handmade wood headboard like this. Just a suggestion for a side business if you ever need to make a bundle of extra cash.
#21
My Dad Pulled This Gigantic Canvas Out Of The Dumpster At The School He Works At, I Taped The One Tear It Had, Covered It In Black Gesso And Painted This
#22
Tenants In My Apartment Complex Got Evicted. Left This In The Dumpster. Just Needs To Be Cleaned Up A Little
#23
I Just Don't Know How You Throw These Away. Too Cool
#24
Little Haul ..it Feed My Kids For Bit .. Hard Times This Blessing Helps Alot
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
I'm so sorry this person has to dumpster dive to feed children...this.
#25
Why Would Someone Throw This Away??
#26
Took The Back Way Home This Evening And Stumbled Upon This Beauty. The Boyfriend Has Been Shopping Around For A Gaming Chair, Too!
#27
Rescued From A 3 Letter Pharmacy Dumpster And Headed For Donation To A Clothing Charity Run By A Local Church
#28
Found Two Gift Cards In The Dumpster Of The Local Thrift Shop. I Just Checked The Balance On Them, And Each One Has $100 On It
#29
$175 Watch Was Damaged Out For Having A Broken Clasp. Took It To The Watch Repair Kiosk At The Mall And He Said It Wasn't Broken, They Just Didn't Know How To Work The Self Adjusting Clasp
#30
I've Always Wanted A Signed Book By This Author. Never Thought I'd Find It In A Dumpster
BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing 3 years ago
1 WHY WOULD YOU THROW AWAY A BOOK and 2 WHY WOULD YOU THROW AWAY A SIGNED BOOK
Two_rolling_black_eyes 3 years ago
It wasn't thrown away, it was accidentally lost dropped by a hitchhiker doing field research on the sequel.
Sophia Atkinson 3 years ago
I cry in agony when I see books in the dumpster on this post, why do people do that?
Jaguarundi 3 years ago
RIP Douglas Adams. I have the full set of his books. None signed, unfortunately.
im_so_bored13 3 years ago
I know this is off-topic, but I just finished watching a true-crime YT video about this hiker who's hike-name (nickname that hikers use) was Mostly Harmless. The weird part was no one knew who he was. Like, at all.
Ahimsa Soul 3 years ago
I absolutely love Douglas Adams. This is priceless. Why would anyone throw away books? Just donate them to your local library.
Jason Mills 2 years ago
Would definitely get that authenticated. Just seems too good to be true.
#31
I Work As A School Photographer. Best Believe That When I Pulled Up At The Elementary School I Was Photographing And Saw The Giant Gorgeous Mirror Near The School Dumpster?? I Snuck Her Into My Back Seat Before Heading Into The School
#32
Once Again! I Am Saddened By This, But What’s Really Sad, Is Others Might Say “I’m Gross To Take Stuff Out Of A Dumpster” All The While I’m Thinking, “No The System Is Gross That I Even Have To”
#33
Pulled A Fully Functional 3D Printer While It Was Raining. All It Needed Was New Filament. One Of The Best Things I've Ever Found
#34
Found In Someone Illegal Dumping, Such An Antique Prize
#35
After A $35 Part, 55" Curved Samsung 4k TV Saved From The Dumpster Works Like New!
#36
Hand-Carved Vintage Liquor Cabinet On The Curb!
#37
Found This On Top Of A Glass Recycling Bin On My Way To Pick Wildflowers
#38
Okay I Know I've Said This Before And I Know I'll Probably Say This Again, But I Think I Just Made My Best Find. Found A Little Money Pouch With A Bunch Of Old Money In It
Grumble O'Pug 3 years ago
Some numa…numata…coin collector will know if that bottom one is valuable
#39
We Dumpstered Wood Samples From A Floor Store And Created A Counter For Our Tiny House
#40
This Beautiful Chair I Saved From A Skip Today!
#41
Posted By A Friend
#42
So Excited About This Curbside Find!! The Wife Wanted New Barstools To Replace Our Crappy Wood And Cloth Ones. Found A Set Of 4 Of These With A Sign That Read “Free! I’m Vegan Now” Ha! Cleaned Up The Leather Already Going To Do Some Chrome Repair Good As New! Thank You Vegan Stranger!
#43
Lane Midcentury Modern Desk I Picked Off The Curb Last Night In My Neighborhood
#44
Bo Won 6 Medals During The 1991 Special Olympics, Hosted In St Louis Missouri. In 1992 He Died In A Dentist Chair From Complications With The Anesthesia. I Found His Medals In A Dumpster And Now I Would Love To Find Photos Of Him. Stephen "Bo" Anich. He Was Born In 75 And Had Cerebral Palsy
#45
Not In The Dumpster But Next To It. Mid Century Cherry Red American Tourister Nesting Suitcases!
#46
Found This Dumpster Diving Tonight... Everything But The Chain Strap Marked And Tested As 14k Gold
#47
Local Greenhouse Is At It Again
#48
One Of My Best Dumpster Finds Ever. 1940s Chest Type Coca Cola Cooler. Another Guy Showed Up With His Wife And Said Too Bad You’re All Alone You Cannot Pick It Up By Yourself. Well It’s In My House So I Guess I Did
#49
Found A Very Cool Couch This Morning- Only Had To Dive For The Cushions!!
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Francis 3 years ago
why do some people throw clothes, that are perfectly fine, away instead of donating them? or animals? what the f*ck is wrong with people? whenever i don't want/need something anymore i put it on the streetcorner so somebody else could have it. and when i think something is broken, i bring it to a facility where they recycle those things..
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago
There is no answer to what kind of cruel creature could put animals in dumpsters. About the clothes, most charities in the US stopped accepting clothes during the pandemic.
Load More Replies...
Zoe's Mom 3 years ago
Careful with food diving. Some of them are recalled from vendor's indicating issues.
BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing 3 years ago
First off, how DARE these people throw away ANIMALS?! Like, what?! Secondly, I am disgusted with how wasteful people can be. There need to be laws against wasting so much food and stuff! Lastly, I think I'm going to start dumpster diving! I want to find a cat, or a violin, or a ring, or an antique piece of furniture, or an old gaming system, etc.
BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing 3 years ago
Also I need to know where these people are dumpster diving because I've only ever seen trash in the dumpsters I've seen
Load More Replies...
K Witmer 3 years ago
I'm throwing out a 2 yr old leather couch and recliner bc I can't stand the couch. I never knew leather was so uncomfortable. I don't feel like delivering it to family if they want it bc I'm the only one w a truck and I don't want to deal w Craig's list or whatever other app. It's going on my curb w a free poster. Hope someone else loves it. My road doesn't get too much traffic so I hope someone takes it
Neil Bidle 3 years ago
Leather isn't comfy or uncomfy, it's what's below it. I get what you mean though, even the most expensive couch can feel uncomfortable if it doesn't support you where you want supporting
Load More Replies...
Zophra 3 years ago
I don't think items found in a dumpster are in the same category as on the curb or next to the dumpster. Dumpster items were totally meant to be be thrown out, but curb items are often there to be picked up by someone else who can use the item. We put these types of items (chairs, tomato cages, spool of chicken wire, electric mixer...) out early before trash in the hopes that someone will be able to use them. I'm sure many people do this.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
We call this "curbside recovery" in my house. FYI, always ask a secondhand furniture store where they got the furniture. Odds are it was "curbside recovery" on graduation week at the university up the road.
Anna Ledwońska 3 years ago
In my country somehow you can sometimes find some books, other than that no treasures. Once I even spoke to some frequent homeless guy, which is experienced a bit and he told me that nothing valuable was ever found by him. He just picks cans and some metal trash and occasionally some dishes or something he needs, but most of all spoiled food, broken furniture, electronics beyond repair. I think we are much more poor nation :(
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Makes me both sad AND angry! Why isn't there an English word for the emotion that mixes anger with sorrow?
Load More Replies...
Nugget 3 years ago
With some of the food ones,it can be exciting and tempting to take it all,but only take what you can realistically eat/use. It will get wasted otherwise when another diving friend could really use it.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Love your name! My first car was a Toyota Corolla that I named Nugget because "she" was yellow. Sadly, she conked out on me when I was a high-school senior, so Dad gave me his Honda.
Load More Replies...
marianne eliza 3 years ago
I certainly hope those who find something actually valuable contacts law enforcement to see if it was reported lost or stolen. Some poor victim may be crying over a lost family keepsake or heirloom.
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Many people don't try because they have to put an ads in the newspapers at your own expense and wait to see IF no one claims it BEFORE you can keep it. And you'll be lucky if the owner pays you back, much less rewarding you for its return. (Learned when my young daughter found a diamond and I insisted we turn it over to police.)
Load More Replies...
John Baker 3 years ago
I'm not opposed to dumpster diving in principle, but I think I'd pass on edibles.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
My father once rescued a wonderful griddle from the trash. He gave it to Grandma, and she put it to great use making the best pancakes in Buckhead.
Lucky2BAlive 3 years ago
Where are alll these accessible dumpsters? Here, if there are walls around it and the dumpsters are within them. It’s illegal, and considered trespassing. And just about every place is like that now. From the 3 letters, to markets and back. But would love to try it. Unfortunately, due to evictions we are likely to see more and more of this.
Anita Pickle 3 years ago
Some of these almost feel like steeling. Do not assume that when stuff is in someone's driveway or in the front of their apartment building that it is trash. What if they went to get their car to load it up? What if it was dropped off for them? What if they are hauling it inside one armful at a time? What if they sold it and the buyer is on the way. Unless it is in a bin or alongside the bins for pickup do not just take people's stuff.
Felix Feline 3 years ago
Where I live, the authorities decided to make it illegal to take anything left as "trash". Why? Who knows? Probably just sheer caprice.
Leodavinci 3 years ago
Not uncommon because anything in the trash still legally belongs to whoever put it there.
Load More Replies... Francis 3 years ago
why do some people throw clothes, that are perfectly fine, away instead of donating them? or animals? what the f*ck is wrong with people? whenever i don't want/need something anymore i put it on the streetcorner so somebody else could have it. and when i think something is broken, i bring it to a facility where they recycle those things..
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago
There is no answer to what kind of cruel creature could put animals in dumpsters. About the clothes, most charities in the US stopped accepting clothes during the pandemic.
Load More Replies... Zoe's Mom 3 years ago
Careful with food diving. Some of them are recalled from vendor's indicating issues.
BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing 3 years ago
First off, how DARE these people throw away ANIMALS?! Like, what?! Secondly, I am disgusted with how wasteful people can be. There need to be laws against wasting so much food and stuff! Lastly, I think I'm going to start dumpster diving! I want to find a cat, or a violin, or a ring, or an antique piece of furniture, or an old gaming system, etc.
BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing 3 years ago
Also I need to know where these people are dumpster diving because I've only ever seen trash in the dumpsters I've seen
Load More Replies... K Witmer 3 years ago
I'm throwing out a 2 yr old leather couch and recliner bc I can't stand the couch. I never knew leather was so uncomfortable. I don't feel like delivering it to family if they want it bc I'm the only one w a truck and I don't want to deal w Craig's list or whatever other app. It's going on my curb w a free poster. Hope someone else loves it. My road doesn't get too much traffic so I hope someone takes it
Neil Bidle 3 years ago
Leather isn't comfy or uncomfy, it's what's below it. I get what you mean though, even the most expensive couch can feel uncomfortable if it doesn't support you where you want supporting
Load More Replies... Zophra 3 years ago
I don't think items found in a dumpster are in the same category as on the curb or next to the dumpster. Dumpster items were totally meant to be be thrown out, but curb items are often there to be picked up by someone else who can use the item. We put these types of items (chairs, tomato cages, spool of chicken wire, electric mixer...) out early before trash in the hopes that someone will be able to use them. I'm sure many people do this.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
We call this "curbside recovery" in my house. FYI, always ask a secondhand furniture store where they got the furniture. Odds are it was "curbside recovery" on graduation week at the university up the road.
Anna Ledwońska 3 years ago
In my country somehow you can sometimes find some books, other than that no treasures. Once I even spoke to some frequent homeless guy, which is experienced a bit and he told me that nothing valuable was ever found by him. He just picks cans and some metal trash and occasionally some dishes or something he needs, but most of all spoiled food, broken furniture, electronics beyond repair. I think we are much more poor nation :(
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Makes me both sad AND angry! Why isn't there an English word for the emotion that mixes anger with sorrow?
Load More Replies... Nugget 3 years ago
With some of the food ones,it can be exciting and tempting to take it all,but only take what you can realistically eat/use. It will get wasted otherwise when another diving friend could really use it.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Love your name! My first car was a Toyota Corolla that I named Nugget because "she" was yellow. Sadly, she conked out on me when I was a high-school senior, so Dad gave me his Honda.
Load More Replies... marianne eliza 3 years ago
I certainly hope those who find something actually valuable contacts law enforcement to see if it was reported lost or stolen. Some poor victim may be crying over a lost family keepsake or heirloom.
TheAnimalLady 3 years ago
Many people don't try because they have to put an ads in the newspapers at your own expense and wait to see IF no one claims it BEFORE you can keep it. And you'll be lucky if the owner pays you back, much less rewarding you for its return. (Learned when my young daughter found a diamond and I insisted we turn it over to police.)
Load More Replies... John Baker 3 years ago
I'm not opposed to dumpster diving in principle, but I think I'd pass on edibles.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
My father once rescued a wonderful griddle from the trash. He gave it to Grandma, and she put it to great use making the best pancakes in Buckhead.
Lucky2BAlive 3 years ago
Where are alll these accessible dumpsters? Here, if there are walls around it and the dumpsters are within them. It’s illegal, and considered trespassing. And just about every place is like that now. From the 3 letters, to markets and back. But would love to try it. Unfortunately, due to evictions we are likely to see more and more of this.
Anita Pickle 3 years ago
Some of these almost feel like steeling. Do not assume that when stuff is in someone's driveway or in the front of their apartment building that it is trash. What if they went to get their car to load it up? What if it was dropped off for them? What if they are hauling it inside one armful at a time? What if they sold it and the buyer is on the way. Unless it is in a bin or alongside the bins for pickup do not just take people's stuff.
Felix Feline 3 years ago
Where I live, the authorities decided to make it illegal to take anything left as "trash". Why? Who knows? Probably just sheer caprice.
Leodavinci 3 years ago
Not uncommon because anything in the trash still legally belongs to whoever put it there.
Load More Replies... You May Like People Share 35 Things Americans Don't Understand But Should “Lived Like This Until 21”: 50 Times People Found Out Their Bodies Were Different From The ‘Norm’
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