👋 How to Score $50k Dumpster Diving

Meet this week's odd job

Hi Oddies,

Jen Glantz here.

One of the perks of my late-night TikTok scrolling this week was coming across vides of people dumpster diving.

One woman, Glamour Dive, has two million followers, and goes around to different stores and spends quality times picking through the trash. Take a look at this example:

@glamourddiveWait until you see what i found in this dumpster.. #dumpster #dumpsterdiving #insane #coach #glamourddive

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

So if you’re wondering how to do this or what you can find in dumpsters, let’s explore the odd job of dumpster diving.

🤔 Add to your life:

• Game on: Want to level up your skills in 2025? Take a look at these courses I teach to help you with personal branding, starting a business, and public speaking.

• Is your company or conference looking for an energetic and far-from-boring speaker in 2025? I'm booked to give keynotes on personal branding, public speaking, digital marketing, and storytelling at a dozen Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits this year. Let's chat more.

• Reading material: My new book is on shelves all over the world. Grab a copy this week for under $9 — or help me out by writing a short Amazon review here!

• Classifieds: Introducing Odd Jobs classifieds. Looking to hire someone for a job/freelance work? Post it below with your website/contact info. Need a job? Post your bio/skills below with a link to your Linkedin. Happy connecting!

• I’m so over travel reward credit cards. 2025 is the year of cash-back rewards. I did a ton of research and this is the best cash-back credit card. You get 3% cash back on dining and travel, plus 1.5% on everything else.

• If working out is on your resolution list, the best way to get moving again is to try new classes in your area. This is 100% the most inexpensive way to do that.

• Need an extra pair of hands? For quick freelance help, I find the best people here. For household tasks, I use this.

• Want to become an e-comm seller? Check out Etsy. You can sell everything here from digital downloads to handmade goods.

• Quick cash? Try Survey Junkie: Get paid to take surveys

The Business of Dumpster Diving

Modern dumpster divers aren't just finding half-eaten sandwiches. They're discovering goldmines of perfectly usable goods:

• Clothing and accessories: Often with tags still attached

• Furniture: Requiring minimal refurbishment

• Electronics: Functioning or easily repairable

• Food: Still sealed and well before expiration dates

• Home goods: From decor to kitchen essentials

• Books, toys, and entertainment items: In excellent condition

This woman shared that she was able to save $50,000 in two-years by dumpster diving.

The Economics: Can You Really Make Money?

The potential earnings from dumpster diving vary widely, but some people have turned it into a significant income source:

• Melanie Diaz claims to have saved approximately $50,000 on clothing and essentials over two years—enough that she quit her full-time photography job to pursue dumpster diving and content creation.

• Some divers report earning up to $76,000 annually by reselling salvaged items online.

• More modest but still impressive returns include saving hundreds on monthly grocery bills. Peter J. and his partner spent just $84 on groceries one month thanks to their dumpster diving efforts.

Getting Started: A Practical Guide

If you're intrigued by this unconventional hustle, here's how to begin:

Essential Gear

• Gloves: Heavy-duty and waterproof

• Proper clothing: Long sleeves and sturdy shoes

• Headlamp or flashlight: For nighttime diving

• Grabber tool: To reach items without direct contact

• Hand sanitizer: For immediate cleanup

• Bins or bags: To transport your finds

Where to Look

The most successful divers have identified prime hunting grounds:

• Retail chains: TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Homesense are mentioned by experienced divers as particularly fruitful

• Grocery stores: Especially for produce and bakery items

• College areas: Particularly during move-out periods

• Residential areas: On bulk trash collection days

• Electronic stores: For repairable gadgets

Safety & Etiquette

1. Never dive alone: Bring a partner for safety

2. Choose well-lit areas: Avoid dangerous locations

3. Don't make a mess: Leave the area cleaner than you found it

4. Respect boundaries: If asked to leave, do so politely

5. Be discreet: Quick, quiet dives are less likely to attract negative attention

Is This Legal?

Dumpster diving exists in a peculiar legal gray area that requires careful navigation:

• The Supreme Court ruled in California v. Greenwood (1988) that searching through trash is technically legal in all 50 states once it's been discarded.

• However, this ruling doesn't override local ordinances or trespassing laws. Many businesses post "No Trespassing" signs specifically to deter dumpster divers.

• Major retailers like Walmart explicitly prohibit dumpster diving and may prosecute trespassers.

• Property owners have valid liability concerns—if a diver is injured while rummaging through their dumpster, they could potentially face legal action.

The best approach is to:

1. Research local ordinances before diving

2. Never break locks or climb fences

3. Avoid clearly marked private property

4. Be prepared to leave if confronted

More Pro Tips: Maximizing Your Dumpster Diving Success

Serious divers have developed specialized techniques to maximize their success:

• Research seasonal opportunities: College move-out days, post-holiday clearances, and seasonal inventory changes create prime diving windows

• Clean as you go: Bring cleaning supplies to immediately address any messes or spills—leaving areas cleaner than you found them builds goodwill and reduces negative attention

• Sort on site: Have designated containers for different categories (electronics, clothes, etc.) to streamline your process

• Check for recalls: Before reselling electronics or children's items, verify they haven't been recalled for safety reasons

• Document everything: Keep records of what you find and where—this helps identify patterns and profitable locations

• Learn basic repair skills: Simple fixes can dramatically increase the value of found items

• Network with other divers: Join online communities to share tips and locations (while avoiding overcrowding spots)

• Move quickly but carefully: The most successful divers develop a systematic approach that allows them to assess a dumpster's contents efficiently

Tips From Seasoned Divers

Veterans of the trash-to-treasure movement offer these insights:

• Timing matters: Most stores discard items late at night after closing or early in the morning before trash collection

• Consistency pays: Regular routes yield better results as you learn disposal patterns

• Diversify locations: High-end neighborhoods and stores often discard higher-value items

• Clean immediately: Sanitize all finds before bringing them into your home

• Know what to avoid: Electronics with water damage, upholstered furniture with signs of pests, and unsealed food items

Marketplaces for Your Finds

Once you've cleaned and sorted your treasures, here are some effective platforms for turning them into cash:

• Local platforms: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and Nextdoor are excellent for selling furniture and bulkier items without shipping

• Specialized resale sites: ThredUP and Poshmark for clothing, Decluttr for electronics, AbeBooks for books

• eBay and Mercari: Best for unique or vintage items that might attract collectors

• Flea markets and yard sales: Great for selling multiple items at once with no online listing required

• Local consignment shops: They do the selling for you in exchange for a percentage

Whether you're looking to supplement your income, reduce your grocery bill, or find unique items to resell, the world of dumpster diving offers possibilities for those willing to look beyond the stigma and see the potential value hidden in what others discard.

🥳 Jen Glantz is the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire and the creator of The Pick-Me-Up newsletter. She offers 1:1 coaching and company workshops. Follow her adventures on Instagram @jenglantz.

Odd Jobs is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

---

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or endorsement of dumpster diving. The authors and publishers of this content are not suggesting or encouraging readers to engage in this activity. Always research and comply with local laws and ordinances, respect private property rights, and prioritize personal safety above all else.