Comments on: Dumpster-diving for food and furniture http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/ Tue, 22 May 2012 02:42:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Janhttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5518 Jan Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:26:05 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5518 You're missing the point Jason....it's BECAUSE they don't buy hba, expensive foods and new clothing and furniture that they can afford to give their money away.I read that restaurants and shops in New York, knowing that homeless people (and now freegans) go through the throwaways, put the food into clean bags. Those bagels appeared to be in a clean trash bag. I doubt anyone would have taken them otherwise. You’re missing the point Jason….it’s BECAUSE they don’t buy hba, expensive foods and new clothing and furniture that they can afford to give their money away.

I read that restaurants and shops in New York, knowing that homeless people (and now freegans) go through the throwaways, put the food into clean bags. Those bagels appeared to be in a clean trash bag. I doubt anyone would have taken them otherwise.

]]> By: Hadiashttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5509 Hadias Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:55:51 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5509 I saw the show and was almost inspired to go dumpster diving for a moment, until my husband aisd that he would absolutely not do it.The other thing is that I was born and raised in New York City...and witht the rodent population I would not risk climbing inside of a dumpster.When I do visit the city I walk as far away from the trash piles as possile. I have heard and seen rodents rumaging through the trash on many occasions.But it looked so clean on the Oprah show. I saw the show and was almost inspired to go dumpster diving for a moment, until my husband aisd that he would absolutely not do it.

The other thing is that I was born and raised in New York City…and witht the rodent population I would not risk climbing inside of a dumpster.

When I do visit the city I walk as far away from the trash piles as possile. I have heard and seen rodents rumaging through the trash on many occasions.

But it looked so clean on the Oprah show.

]]> By: KAKhttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5505 KAK Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:16:43 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5505 I work in a development with maby..20-25 dumpsters. I personally am too busy to go dumpster diving, but I have helpers who will dive while I'm on the phone or throne(both located at dumpster sites) the concensus is that about3/4 of the TV's work and I can't help but notice we are a throwaway society. Some of the things I know that were taken from the dumpsters that worked or were discarded with minor damage and still in working order amaze me. I think a lot of it comes down to it's amazing how helpless or stupid people really are. It is nice when people will set things next to the dumpster, it is a sigh it works and is there for the first taker. Where I work it is claimed that an employee brought his new truck from copper and aluminum collected from dumpsters. I work in a development with maby..20-25 dumpsters. I personally am too busy to go dumpster diving, but I have helpers who will dive while I’m on the phone or throne(both located at dumpster sites) the concensus is that about3/4 of the TV’s work and I can’t help but notice we are a throwaway society. Some of the things I know that were taken from the dumpsters that worked or were discarded with minor damage and still in working order amaze me. I think a lot of it comes down to it’s amazing how helpless or stupid people really are. It is nice when people will set things next to the dumpster, it is a sigh it works and is there for the first taker. Where I work it is claimed that an employee brought his new truck from copper and aluminum collected from dumpsters.

]]> By: Danielhttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5495 Daniel Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:48:49 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5495 Yep, I'm the one on Oprah. Gosh, I feel so famous!!! :)Great comments, everyone. I totally understand how many are grossed out by it (we were too before we tried it), and many of your concerns are valid. There's a lot of good stuff thrown away, but of course not all of it's good. You should check out our blog...we've described at length (complete with many pictures) about why some products might be thrown away and why they're still perfectly fine. Specifically, check out the post entitled "Why we dumpster dive and recycle, Part 1." There's an FAQ on there.I just wanted to shed a little more light on one post (by Ashley, I think?) about the law suits. I, too, always thought that stores didn't donate because of all the law suits, and whereas I think that might be true some, there's a law in place that relieves the donor a little. Go to this website and read about this act that was signed by Clinton in '96.http://www.secondharvest.org/how_to_help/donate_food/liability_protection.htmlI didn't know about that either until just recently!!!Peace, Daniel Yep, I’m the one on Oprah. Gosh, I feel so famous!!! :)

Great comments, everyone. I totally understand how many are grossed out by it (we were too before we tried it), and many of your concerns are valid. There’s a lot of good stuff thrown away, but of course not all of it’s good. You should check out our blog…we’ve described at length (complete with many pictures) about why some products might be thrown away and why they’re still perfectly fine. Specifically, check out the post entitled “Why we dumpster dive and recycle, Part 1.” There’s an FAQ on there.

I just wanted to shed a little more light on one post (by Ashley, I think?) about the law suits. I, too, always thought that stores didn’t donate because of all the law suits, and whereas I think that might be true some, there’s a law in place that relieves the donor a little. Go to this website and read about this act that was signed by Clinton in ’96.

http://www.secondharvest.org/how_to_help/donate_food/liability_protection.html

I didn’t know about that either until just recently!!!

Peace,
Daniel

]]> By: Khttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5490 K Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:46:50 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5490 I saw that show yesterday. When I first heard of Freegans dumpster diving for not just furniture etc but for food it totally skeeved me out. I had envisioned the food being tossed in with no packaging whatsoever...like someone who tosses half a sandwich or something. I couldn't believe stores tossed all that food that was in jars or blister packs etc. I still dont know if 'I' could do it. I couldnt believe there was takers for the fish and raw meat they found. I cant believe the stores dont have other options for all that food. I can't stand waste...esp when others are so in need.There was a time when they would toss away all the food backstage that was left for performers after rock concerts. Then some one stepped forward and started an org that initiated that leftover food trays be sent to shelters. Now that is the norm. Perhaps all this current food waste will soon change. I saw that show yesterday. When I first heard of Freegans dumpster diving for not just furniture etc but for food it totally skeeved me out. I had envisioned the food being tossed in with no packaging whatsoever…like someone who tosses half a sandwich or something. I couldn’t believe stores tossed all that food that was in jars or blister packs etc. I still dont know if ‘I’ could do it. I couldnt believe there was takers for the fish and raw meat they found. I cant believe the stores dont have other options for all that food. I can’t stand waste…esp when others are so in need.

There was a time when they would toss away all the food backstage that was left for performers after rock concerts. Then some one stepped forward and started an org that initiated that leftover food trays be sent to shelters. Now that is the norm. Perhaps all this current food waste will soon change.

]]> By: karla ~ looking towards heavenhttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5487 karla ~ looking towards heaven Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:54:39 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5487 There have been a lot of articles about this in our local paper (the Tennessean), in fact, on of the couples on Oprah was from Nashville. I kind of grosses me out, but I can see the benefits.Blessings, Karla There have been a lot of articles about this in our local paper (the Tennessean), in fact, on of the couples on Oprah was from Nashville. I kind of grosses me out, but I can see the benefits.

Blessings,
Karla

]]> By: Jennyhttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5485 Jenny Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:23:25 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5485 One summer it was SO HOT in our crappy little apartment. We were thrilled to see a pristine rotating fan sitting by the dumpster when we came home one afternoon! We thought it might be broken, but took it inside and plugged it in. It was powerful and worked like brand new! We used it for a couple of years and now my mom has it. The end of spring semester and beginning of fall is a great time to cruise around and see what's lying around dumpsters, especially if you live near a college town like us. The students often don't want to waste things so to save time they sit them beside the dumpster for someone to grab. We never actually dove in for anything and never looked for food--I think it's illegal here to hardcore dumpster DIVE, possibly because of identity theft. One summer it was SO HOT in our crappy little apartment. We were thrilled to see a pristine rotating fan sitting by the dumpster when we came home one afternoon! We thought it might be broken, but took it inside and plugged it in. It was powerful and worked like brand new! We used it for a couple of years and now my mom has it. The end of spring semester and beginning of fall is a great time to cruise around and see what’s lying around dumpsters, especially if you live near a college town like us. The students often don’t want to waste things so to save time they sit them beside the dumpster for someone to grab. We never actually dove in for anything and never looked for food–I think it’s illegal here to hardcore dumpster DIVE, possibly because of identity theft.

]]> By: Jessicahttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5476 Jessica Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:29:01 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5476 My husband and I have found solid wood dressers, desk, bookshelves that all look like bran new. There have been many things like Tv's that I didn't need so left by the dumpster. I have lived in apartment's for 7 years and am currently located across from the dumpster. All I have to do is look out the window or listen for the thud of heavy objects and go out and retrieve them. Usually all the items need is some soap, water, and a good wipe down and they are as good as new.I have never even considered taking food. There have been large trash bags of food and cases of alcohol that the office has taken out of an apartment that was evicted and left all their stuff. Who knows how long the food had been in their pantry or fridge. Since we don't drink, we didn't take the alcohol, but somebody else did. My husband and I have found solid wood dressers, desk, bookshelves that all look like bran new. There have been many things like Tv’s that I didn’t need so left by the dumpster. I have lived in apartment’s for 7 years and am currently located across from the dumpster. All I have to do is look out the window or listen for the thud of heavy objects and go out and retrieve them. Usually all the items need is some soap, water, and a good wipe down and they are as good as new.

I have never even considered taking food. There have been large trash bags of food and cases of alcohol that the office has taken out of an apartment that was evicted and left all their stuff. Who knows how long the food had been in their pantry or fridge. Since we don’t drink, we didn’t take the alcohol, but somebody else did.

]]> By: joannahttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5469 joanna Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:25:18 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5469 I didn't see the show, but I subscribe to the couple's blog ( http://theburts.wordpress.com/ ) We've gotten some patio chairs, among other things, from apartment dumpsters. You're right- the move-out weekend in college towns is the best time to snag good furniture. I prefer Freecycle to dumpster diving, just because it's easier & less time-consuming. On the topic of tossed-out food- In high school, the campus ministry I was involved in would pick up all the pastries & bagels Panera was throwing out when they closed at 9pm and serve them at the morning meeting the next day. All the day-old bread & pastries were perfectly good. Being a freegan means picking up the food right outside the restaurant or grocery stores door rather than inside I didn’t see the show, but I subscribe to the couple’s blog ( http://theburts.wordpress.com/ ) We’ve gotten some patio chairs, among other things, from apartment dumpsters. You’re right- the move-out weekend in college towns is the best time to snag good furniture. I prefer Freecycle to dumpster diving, just because it’s easier & less time-consuming.
On the topic of tossed-out food- In high school, the campus ministry I was involved in would pick up all the pastries & bagels Panera was throwing out when they closed at 9pm and serve them at the morning meeting the next day. All the day-old bread & pastries were perfectly good. Being a freegan means picking up the food right outside the restaurant or grocery stores door rather than inside

]]> By: Kaciehttp://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/comment-page-1/#comment-5465 Kacie Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:10:29 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/02/27/dumpster-diving-for-food-and-furniture/#comment-5465 It looks like the general consensus from y'all is: Furniture, OK. Things that go in your mouth: No way.Unless, of course, you personally know exactly why certain food products are being tossed. And, if you have a hand in preventing food being thrown away, even better.So, I would totally accept an old pretzel from my dear friend Manch, but a bagel in a trash bag? No way. It looks like the general consensus from y’all is: Furniture, OK. Things that go in your mouth: No way.

Unless, of course, you personally know exactly why certain food products are being tossed. And, if you have a hand in preventing food being thrown away, even better.

So, I would totally accept an old pretzel from my dear friend Manch, but a bagel in a trash bag? No way.

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