Comments on: Dumpster Dived Building Materials

By: MK

MK — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:47:43 +0000

I haven’t dumpster dove? dived? which ever it is! in recent years. But when I was 10 and after my parents house was built, us kids would run around the neighborhood while the other houses were being built and pick materials out of the dumpsters. We made bike ramps and shelves and goodness knows what else out of that stuff. We also found a lot of nails on the ground, so the only investment was our time. And as far as our parents were concerned, they knew where we were and what we were doing, so they were content!

I’ve been tempted in recent years, but I’m a little shy just taking something off of someone elses property. even if it is sitting out at the curb or is in a dumpster.

By: Zella

Zella — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:36:28 +0000

I did this once in awhile when I lived in my old apartment. Mostly for furniture that I was only going to be using temporarily until my stuff came out of storage. I do have qualms about food and “soft” goods directly out of the trash.

There was a company on the east coast that would empty a place for free, but got the right to recycle/resell what they found, so unless there’s a sign out, I generally exercise caution and ask.

By: Alissa

Alissa — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:34:10 +0000

Very cool! AND eco-friendly. You must be excited about building a craft room!!

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:53:31 +0000

I always love finding good dumpsters (as funny as that sounds). Last week I was helping out a a local museum cleaning out a junk room and pulled about 20 feet of really nice pine, plus some natural wood boards. Also turned out that others were just too shy to ask because as soon as they saw me taking some boards they pulled out some as well! I never thought of dumpster diving in groups before!

By: BigNan

BigNan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:21:11 +0000

Twenty years ago we moved to a suburb in a large metropolitan area. Our four children were aged 9, 7, 3 and 1. The older children would go for walks, or ride around the neighborhood on their bikes, and occasionally come home excited about the things being left out at the curb for trash pickup. We told them they could bring decent things home, but always to ask before taking anything. The bicycle I ride to this day came from there (had a flat tire, so someone was trashing it), and I remember two wooden dressers that we used for years that came from other people’s curbside. I think many people find it easier to leave it by the curb rather than taking it to a thrift store. Nowadays I think craigslist “free” section is passing some things around.

By: GC

GC — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:31:18 +0000

I never have but lots of people do in my area . . . especially for scrap metal. And every time I put out books for recycling, they vanish before the truck arrives.
I’ve seen one or two things I’ve wanted. Maybe eventually I’ll get up the courage. . .

By: Mrs. Money

Mrs. Money — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:43:30 +0000

I wonder what that woman thought! lol. Good for you! That sounds like you got a bunch of good stuff!

By: Kristia @Family Balance Sheet

Kristia @Family Balance Sheet — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:27:15 +0000

I can’t say I have actually dived into a dumpster, but we have taken things that were set out on the curb for trash. We got 2 green outdoor adirondack chairs once that were in fine condition.

I wouldn’t be above diving into a dumpster for the right item. It actually sounds like fun…is that weird?

By: Clayton

Clayton — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:38:46 +0000

I love dumpster diving for building materials. Sometimes I asked and sometimes I didn’t, but I have never heard anyone say no. Most of the time I would go by houses being built in my neighborhood when they weren’t around, but in the daylight so I could see, you don’t want nails or bugs getting you.