We had this big racoon diving in our local dumpster a couple of years ago. He did not smile at me so I ended his adventure with one shot.

 

Just for empty boxes when I need them.

 

In my community, they call it 'tree-line trolling', since individual trash items can be put on on the tree-lawn for pick-up. Every so often, the +1 will come home with a 'gotta have it' item that she trolled. She has gotten some good stuff, a baby-jogger stroller that just needed a flat tire fixed and assorted toys for the little ones. There are several people that make a regular run thru our neighborhood the night before the trash is picked up, in hopes of landing a treasure. Reminds me of a modern day Sanford & Son.

On a related note, when growing up I remember the urban legend about dumpster diving at McDonalds. The story then was that McD would only hold their food for 30 minutes, then everything got bagged and thrown away. A friend swore it was true and that he enjoyed many a big mac courtesy of McD's strict time schedule. Still don't know if there was any truth to that one.

 

I would probably dumpster dive in Hollywood Most of their "junk" is probably nicer than anything I have now

I don't around here although I have been tempted a few times... NY seems to have some weird "get rid of your stuff" trash days and sometimes you will see REALLY nice stuff sitting out by the side of the road.

Luckily (?) with the S, I don't really have room to stop and get anything though

 

Hollywood and North Hollywood are very different. Not so much as people who think all of New York is just like New York City, though.

 

Hmm, good to know

 

My uncle used to be a garbage man here in Loveland. He rented a space at the local flea market/swap and put all his finds in his space.

Made thousands of dollars off perfectly good stuff that people throw away.

 

It wasn't an urban legend. It was true. I worked at a McDonalds when I was in high school, and back then it was company policy. I was amazed at the amount of food we were required to throw away.

 

many moon ago, my grandmother worked at Wellesley college.
Many of the students had two common attributes, they were far from home and they had lots of money.
So they would buy stuff in the beginning of the school year and simply throw it away at the end becuase it wasn't worth shipping home.
Bicycles, winter clothing, etc.