Dumpster diving for coupons is definitely not a new concept, but thanks to TLC’s Extreme Couponing, the practice has recently been thrust into the spotlight. While many will exclaim, “Eewww!” over such a crazy pastime, these giant metal treasure chests contain hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars worth of awesome coupons!
If you’re ready to take a giant leap (or tumble over the side) into the wild world of dumpster diving, here are some tips to help get you started:
Necessary Equipment
- Step Stool: Unless you’re over 7 feet tall, you’ll want to be sure to bring a step stool or an old milk crate to help get you in – and most importantly, OUT – of the dumpster.
- Grabbing Tool: Preferably not your son’s toy one ( trust me on this. Ahem) for those hard to reach places. A sharp pole for “picking” works well, as does a 3-prong garden cultivating tool.
- Gloves: Although most recycle bins are fairly clean, digging through newsprint leaves you prone to blackened fingers and paper cuts. (Ouch)
- Lysol Wipes/Hand Sanitizer: Because you never know… 😉
- Box or plastic tub with a lid to keep your treasure – err…coupons in.
- Ponytail Holder: Dumpster diving is hard work! Plus, those bins can get pretty toasty inside during the summer months! A water bottle might be a good idea as well.
Tips – Both Legal & Fun
- Legal Advice: While most cities consider recycle bins and “trash” public domain, there are some places that highly frown upon such frugal exploits. Also, recycle bins located behind businesses or apartment complexes are generally off limits. Always check with your local police department, business or apartment manager first, just to be sure! (Remember: handcuffs make poor fashion accessories!)
- Kids + Dumpsters = FREE Fun: Chances are you have at least one child in your family who would LOVE to go diving for buried treasure! Give your little ones a toss and watch them smile if you have an open bin . Consider offering a prize to the best coupon hunter, or treating the group to a fun snack afterwards (with one of your coupons, of course)! 😉
Confession time! Do you dumpster dive for coupons?
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Angie says
My 16 yr old daughter loves to dumpster dive with me! She looks forward to it. She is actually planning to do her senior project on coupling!
Ali says
I would love to know where everyone is getting that it is illegal?
Kay says
I live in WA and I think it is illegal here. Also I know someone who got puncture from a needle while changing garbage bags at her workplace, and she had to get treatment for HIV until they knew for sure she didn’t have it.
Mary says
Two words from a nurse: DIRTY NEEDLES!!!! This is so dangerous and if you get stuck, well you could die (or get sick)! Not worth it to me! Try asking your neighbors for coupons. How about asking your church to set up an area for coupons, like a swap…Please be safe! (Would love to meet all of you, just not in my E.R. with needle puncture wound..
Beth says
I have been dumpster diving for years! Love it. Its a great way to get coupons and paying nothing.
Lisa says
I heard and read that it was illegal in WA. I don’t know for sure because I haven’t called the police. Does anyone know for sure? I know they don’t let me at the recycling place I go to.
Margaret says
Actually Anonymous if you get permission from the owners it is fine. I talked directly to an owner of a newspaper recycling center and they said that it was fine for me to – I think as long as you ask for permission its perfectly legal. Also – its not digging through trash…its newspapers! Gosh…you are such a baby anonymous. Boo hoo…I will not read this blog because karrie is posting a thrifty tip. Waaaaah. She is not making you do it – just suggesting this as a thrifty tip. Dumpster diving is not for everyone as we all know.
anonymous says
Seriously people…from what I have read this is illegal. Are you really so desperate for coupons that you are willing to break the law, not to mention digging through other people’s trash??? I have been a loyal reader of this blog for over a year, but will not read it again after seeing this post.
Stephanie says
I am in Eugene and all of the newspaper recycling bins I know of are for the Eugene Mission. I think it is illegal to take them out of there, since it is their property? I would totally do this, but don’t want to do anything wrong.
Jenny says
I have been “diving” before it became popular from T.V. In Tri-Cities in front of Home Depot in Richland Queensgate is a recycling station where there is paper only. Behind Winco on Clearwater also. I take a bunch, take them home, sift through them, then take the rest back plus my additional papers. I hate paying for multiple papers so this works nicely.
Claire says
Don’t stick your kids in there! A dead body might be a stretch. But what about broken glass, drug users old needles, rat’s. I don’t even let my child walk in the ivy near our house because of the junk that gets thrown in there.
Heidi Stuit says
I wish I could. All the bins I see are ones with the small holes that only my son might be able to fit in. But I doubt he’ll do it.
Rebecca says
I usually “dumpster dive” although it is not really in a dumpster at my kids’ school. Usually when I am recycling my 6-7 Sunday papers, I will go through the NEWSPAPER ONLY bins that are usually in their schools’ parking lot for fundraisers, I will sift through the top layers that I can reach–as they have multiple small holes to deter people from actually hopping in. I ALWAYS return all unused parts of the coupon inserts I don’t use to the same location + my sunday papers so I am adding not substracting to the schools’ fundraising bottom line. Hope this helps. I do it whenever I am in the area driving by–I DO not want to waste gas to make the trip…so when we are out running errands and I haven’t been there for a week or two I will start to rummage.
MommaHou says
Been raiding our local paper recycling bins for about 2 years now… definitely worth it! Problem I have now though is it’s not our secret anymore. Oh well, I share pretty good, hopefully the others who are using “my bins” will leave me a few copies and not take them all. Happy Diving!
Kamilyn "Kami" M Besson says
I have a grabber and gloves that I bought using Wags RR’s. Waiting to get a big enough accumulation to get a step stool. If I can’t get one at Wags, I will take the RR’s to Fred Meyer and get one there. Making my OOP nothing for items that help me get more Q’s.
Cerise says
I do!! I love it and my husband loves to watch and laugh 🙂
Lachelle says
Cerise–take me with you; I want to do it but don’t know where to go.
Cynda says
To be honest, I’ve watched too many crime dramas and while I know it wouldn’t happen, but I have an irrational fear that I would climb into the one dumpster with the dead body. I wish I were joking.
TJ says
I don’t and I have no idea where a dumpster is! I live in Portland, Oregon.
jeannette says
my sis lives in oregon city and they have them by the libraries. oregon is huge on recycling. call your waste disposal place.
TJ says
Thanks Jeanette! I will check it out. I haven’t seen any at our libraries in Milwaukie but I’m often in OC so we will see! I’ll call recycling tomorrow!
Magan says
Me too, lol. Not sure when the best time/day would be, and also the best place.
Iris says
I want to try this but I’m to chicken to try and no one will come with me =(