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
Carrie says
Actually, even if a dumpster is in public property and marked as belonging to someone, it in itself is not public property.
Like you parking your car on public property does not automatically entitle anyone to break in or rifle through your car.
The dumpsters behind Winco in Kennewick are marked boy scouts and are not public property. You are stealing from boy scouts.
andrea says
I have been doing this for over a year and a half now. With Great Success. I go to my local Newspaper Distribution Center and get the sunday papers that they throw out, after their distribution of them. They throw them away, into two different dumpsters! And when I am done with them I take them to a local church to be recycled, so they can reap the benifits from them. Lately there is a woman there that is telling me that I am stealing and cannot take the papers. She has threatened me with the police a few times now, but my sister called our local police department to ask them after the first incident, if it was illegal, and they told her NO. Unless there are No Trespassing Signs Posted (which there are NOT) I am just wondering if anyone else has ever run into this problem before? I have tried to keep a low, low profile, just to ease the burden of confrintation, but today while I was there she showed up again.. Grrrrrr… The dumpsters that i get these papers from are in the front of the building in plain sight, (completely Unmarked) and they share them with the Mini Mart, whom they also share the lot with. The women keeps trying to tell me that it is private property. What a crock. Anyone else live in Oregon and have this problem? I have about had it!!!! Im not hurting anyone by doing this, Im not taking anything out of anyones pocket. Their garbage is my treasure :-)) I was told, if they are unmarked and have no trespassing signs IT IS LEGAL. In Portland at least…
Haley says
I live in De Soto Missouri. I have no clue where I can go dumpster diving…my dad and I are starting extreme couponing because we don’t have much money we are trying to save as much as possible. We want to be able to have money for extra essentials, and we need to pay our bills. We have been cutting everything short and he says we need to change something to make things work, we decided extreme couponing would do the trick. If anybody can help please do! 🙂
Sonia Marlow says
Oh good grief you people are so concerned with breaking a law of scoping out coupons? They are coupons for goodness sakes!! And they are paper recycling bins…magazines, newspapers etc…choose your neighborhood wisely but really now!
kristina says
easy for u to say “we r just coupon searching” but no one else is just thinking that only.. they think theft /identity theft as well.
Stacy says
I do this with a friend of mine!! TOTALLY WORTH IT!! I was chicken at first, but now we are ADDICTED TO IT!!! We get so many coupons that it is unreal!!!! Good luck to all of you!!
WXYZ says
I want to dumpster dive so badly in my town’s paper recycling bins, but it’s right in front of the sheriff’s office and I don’t know how to go about finding out if it’s legal in Van Buren, Missouri or not. Can anyone tell me? It’s near Poplar Bluff and an hour from Cape Girardeau.
Andrea says
I just tried this for the first time. I was nervous that someone would see me, but no one did. The recycle bin isn’t the kind you can climb into, but it was very full so I was able to pull out some good ads.
P.S. It’s a good idea to shred your envelopes with name/addresses and other documents so no one uses them for identity theft.
michelle says
I live in a small town in Oregon. We have 2 spots for people to recycle papers. I personaly know the people who pick up the papers and recycle them. I live right down the street from where they take the HUGE stacks of papers to and organize them into “bales” of paper. This person allows me to actually go to his house and dig through the papers that are in his barn! So I can’t say I dumpster dive, because I’m not in a dumpster. However, I can say that if you get permission from whoever owns the dumpsters it is totally legal! This is why I only dig for coupons in my hometown. I would love to dumpster dive in a big city, however feel it is illegal if I don’t have permission. This can go both ways. No need to be snotty to people.
Emily says
A relative of mine runs the garbage and recycling center in pasco. I will ask about legality in WA and the company’s thoughts as well and will post again with the info. Hope it helps 🙂
Shannon says
Unfortunately, dumpster diving is illegal in Hawaii. =( I would love to try it though!!
Shana says
Does anyone know of where I can go dumpster diving for coupons in the Yakima, Selah area. I need to get more treasures and I feel that if people want to throw away money like that then who ever is brave enough to dive for it should be theirs to keep so please help me out if you know anything about the legality and i should go.
Shenaynay says
I just got back from a “dive” this was the first time I said… Skr** it I am jumping in!!! I got SOOOOO… much! I have been getting ones off the top for awhile, but tonight was the first time I went in! So much fun, more fun than you would think! It is kinda like finding money! My friend was with me, I have heard as long as there is a sign, you can go in!!! lol! I will be doing it more!!!!
Avid Couponer says
Dear ????
Um, I’m pretty sure if you go through a bin that is on PUBLIC PROPERTY, it is not trespassing. Unless the bin says “NO TRESPASSING, NO DIGGING, or PRIVATE PROPERTY” I’m pretty sure you can look through stuff in there. Just saying.
???? says
It is TRESPASSING and Illegal…unless you have permission from the owner…and I would get that in writing if I were you. Come on. Really? Be smart.
Becky E says
same here! I have talked to the owner and operator of a local Lyon’s Club recycling bin-he told me it was FINE and gave me the go ahead-haven’t had any problems and I have been doing it for SEVERAL YEARS!!! If you just get permission form the right person you should be FINE!!!! HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE COUPONS!!!!!!!
love dumpster diving! says
does anyone know how BDI feels about coupon diving?
Dawn~ says
I have been Dumpster diving for a while, esp out of recycle bins that are on public property. Never had a issue in the year or so i have been doing it.
Barb says
Karri thanks for the dumpster diving article even though some thought it was illegal or gross..I found it entertaining and just another way to find coupons havent tried it yet but certainly wouldnt be opposed..thanks you sooo much for all you do to help us!
love dumpster diving! says
Karrie should I call the local police or the person who owns the dumpster?
love dumpster diving! says
i am just going to do both.
Maya says
What did they say? Thanks!
Curious says
Did you call and ask? What did they say?
jennifer says
You can use the bins in front of wal-mart on queensgate, I know. I know there are other places, but I can’t remember which ones. I also have heard that the pickings are pretty slim in town. I live in benton city and we have our own newspaper recycling bins. Pretty sure I’m the only one who dives in it. 🙂
Karrie says
I totally respect what many of you are saying, I truly do – that is why I said in this post…and I quote myself, “Always check with your local police department, business or apartment manager first, just to be sure! (Remember: handcuffs make poor fashion accessories!) ”
Some areas it IS against the law so always check first before you dive. I have heard that here locally in the Tri-Cities you cannot dive in Richland or Kennewick because that paticular recycling company does not allow it. But make sure and call them first.
When I first started couponing I used a little grocery store’s newspaper recycling box in a teeny tiny town – and they said it was okay, so it all depends upon whether or not you get permission first.
Anonomous, I respect your opinion, and I am sorry you feel that way. Dumpster Diving is really not as bad as I think some of you are making it out to be. I was always careful so as to not touch anything other than newspapers, asked for permission, tried to wear gloves, and saved a lot of money.
ashley says
Hi I live here in Kennewick, WA … and I was just wondering were can I go to do this… we have 4 kids and I love to coupon!! I really wanted to do it tonight lol because of the diaper coupons! 😀 Please let me know!!
*Thanks- Ashley*
Alicia says
Ashley do you still coupon or dumpster diving? I live here in kennewick and I also need diapers.
???? says
My hubby, who is a police officer, has arrested people for dumpster diving/trespassing. Not a good idea to be promoting something like this.