• Home
  • Meet Kelly
  • My House
  • Contact

Kelly Elko

Love where you live - inspired decorating ideas

  • Eclectic Homes
  • Projects
    • My Projects
    • FREE Printables
    • Garden
    • Recipes
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Organization
  • Decorate
    • My House
    • Decorating
    • Outdoors
    • Christmas
    • Fall
    • Summer
    • Spring
    • Tablescapes
  • Life
    • Travel
    • Musings
  • Shop

Dumpster Diving Tips from a Pro

April 3, 2013  Thrifting | Uncategorized

Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!

Yes, you read that right.

These are tips from an actual pro dumpster diver!  

I’ll bet you didn’t know they existed but they do and Karen from Redoux is the CEO of dumpster diving divas (she’s even been known to do it while wearing heels).

She’s sharing her tips on how to score amazing finds for free! 

I’m taking notes!

 

Take it away Karen.

 

Le Comprehensive Guide to Dumpster Diving, Part “Un”

I love to restore and refurbish furniture.

If I am lucky enough, I even use pieces I find on the side of the road, Craig’s list Free, or my favorite….DUMPSTERS!

Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!
Dumpsters, my friends are not just repositories for stinky garbage and dirty diapers.
They are treasure troves of Architectural Elements, trim, cool moulding, old boards. They are often the secret place people go to get rid of broken chairs, ugly old mirrors, oil Paintings by Aunt Bertha, and any number of salvageable furniture items that may have a scratch, dent, or just be plain ugly. These items end up in various dumpsters because of one reason. People are lazy and don’t want to haul their stuff to the dump and pay the fee.
What is a cheater’s misdeeds can be your gain if you follow these simple rules:

In order to yield the best results from a dumpster dive, you need to keep these rules in mind.

1. Bring work gloves and a flashlight. You might have to dig around a bit for something good, and you don’t know what you might encounter in the process. (sidebar, I have NEVER encountered a live animal, i.e. mouse or rat)

Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!
2. Wear old clothes, this goes without saying. (overalls are my personal favorite)
Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!
3. Go in the early morning hours, before the garbage trucks come and people start arriving at work for the day. It is slightly embarrassing to explain to people that the nice looking mom in the van is diving for garbage.
Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff! My dream to dumpster dive here someday….

<

4. Bring a large vehicle. My van has seats that fold and stow, and it doubles as a pick up truck. You don’t want to discover an amazing collection of chairs, only to realize they won’t fit in your economy sized car.
Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!
(not my actual car, mine is far yukkier)

 

***If you don’t know where to begin a good dumpster dive, here are some suggestions. Take a tour around your city. Stick to the Mom and Pop type stores, independent furniture stores, flooring stores, etc. Don’t bother looking behind strip malls. Dumpsters here are always locked and most stores have industrial sized trash compactors that immediately destroy any goods you would hope to score.
Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!
5. Look for smaller groupings of businesses that are not necessarily on busy roads. These dumpsters are not locked. This is where people will go to throw out their almost perfectly good items. If there is an unlocked dumpster in your town, and it is in a secluded area, trust me, the trash rule breakers know about it and put their goods there. Often, the good stuff is not just in the dumpster, it is often behind, and next to the dumpster.

 

Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!
6. When running your daily errands, scan the roads, esp. residential neighborhoods for “reno” dumpsters. I have even trained my children to keep their eyes open for these. Reno dumpsters are gold mines for Architectural Salvaged pieces, old doors, cool mouldings and trims. And, if you are lucky, furniture! I always try to find the owner of the dumpster first before beginning my raid. Just to be on the safe side.
Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!
7. Once you have made your plans and pinpointed your dumpster locations, head out early. If you live in a city, I recommend you go with a friend. I live in a small city with a low crime rate. I feel comfortable diving on my own. However, I once encountered a man in a dumpster. I pulled up to a dumpster and heard noises. I paused in my car for a moment, and lo and behold a man popped out and waved at me. When coming upon a dumpster in the dark, I highly recommend giving a quick tap to your car horn to alert anyone that might be there of your presence. I don’t recommend joining them in the dump dive. Just say a few angry words under your breath and come back in a few days.
Dumpster Diving Tips - from a Pro!! Everything you need to know to get great free stuff!
Thanks Karen from Redoux for sharing your tricks of the trade!

 

Did I mention Karen turns her finds into fabulousness …

like this privacy screen made from old garage doors.

Upcycled Screen from Salvage!

Check out Karen’s Dumpster Diving Tips Part 2 and Dumpster Diving Tips Part 3 to learn even more tips and tricks.

Sign up to get Kelly Elko's latest posts delivered right to your inbox
Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.

Share this Post!

23 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
« Previous: 10 Best Light Fixtures Under $100
Next: I Scored at the Thrift Store – »

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Anja

    April 3, 2013 at 4:41 am

    Wow, you definitely are dedicated to dumpster diving! As for your dumpster diving in Paris dream, I have to say that most of the dumpsters in Europe are a lot smaller, and the recycling laws are a lot stricter, so it is virtually impossible to score good stuff here. Occassionally there are garbage collection days for old furniture that people put out on that day, so this is where you get the good stuff!

    Reply
  2. Heidi @ Decor & More

    April 3, 2013 at 6:58 am

    I love Karen — she constantly amazes me with her diving prowess!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  3. [email protected]

    April 3, 2013 at 7:49 am

    Great tips Kelly…now I need to buy me some overalls!!

    Reply
  4. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

    April 3, 2013 at 7:57 am

    I do love a good dumpster dive. Around here I’d probably just run into a passed out spring breaker in the dumpsters. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Vel

    April 3, 2013 at 8:38 am

    this is such a funny, witty and useful post! Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

    April 3, 2013 at 8:53 am

    This is one method of searching I had not tried yet! Looks like I am going to be keeping my eye out for the dumpsters! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  7. Jill Flory

    April 3, 2013 at 8:57 am

    Karen is the best! She has a natural talent for making something someone else thought was junk look like it belongs in a palace!

    Reply
  8. Bliss

    April 3, 2013 at 9:25 am

    Ms. Redoux knows her dumpsters 4-sure!

    Bliss

    Reply
  9. Shari @ Turnstyle Vogue

    April 3, 2013 at 9:36 am

    Ha. I picture her head first inside, feet with ultra glam heels attached dangling upwards and muffled noises of glee.

    Reply
  10. Audrey Zumwalt

    April 3, 2013 at 10:41 am

    Good information, but I don’t think I would have the nerve to actually get inside a dumpster. I like to find stuff beside or behind dumpsters. Thanks for sharing.
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

    Reply
  11. Karen

    April 3, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    Thanks for sharing my tips Kelly! Thank you for the sweet comments from your readers. Once you take the plunge inside the dumpster, it is really easy the 2nd, 3rd and 30th time after!

    Reply
  12. Nana Diana

    April 3, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    LOL- You are SUCH a cute little dumpster diver! You could probably even pick up a pet mouse or two for a family pet…..just a thought! xo Diana

    Reply
  13. LAURA S

    April 4, 2013 at 1:43 am

    I ain’t too proud, Sista! That would be so fun to tag along. My hubbie would never understand. Lol. But after 30 years of wedded bliss, I think he would not excpect anything less.

    Reply
  14. Jayne

    April 4, 2013 at 8:20 am

    Karen is the best! I Hope her dream of dumpster diving in Paris comes true!

    Reply
  15. Ashl[email protected]

    April 4, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    I’ve actually never been dumpster diving! I’ve always been afraid, but now I really want to give it a try!

    Reply
  16. Johnnie

    April 5, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    I thought I was a dumpster diving pro, but you totally schooled me. Thanks for the lesson. I will be implementing your tips this weekend 😉

    Reply
  17. Randi - Dukes and Duchesses

    April 5, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    Awesome tips … I absolutely love finding a curbside treasure!

    Reply
  18. Dinah

    April 7, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    Great tips… especially 4, 5, and 6… I will definitely be looking out for “reno” dumpsters!

    Reply
  19. Tami

    April 8, 2013 at 9:48 am

    I.MUST.DO.THIS.

    That being said, I must also wonder if it is legal? I know that sounds ridiculous, but I’m still wondering and looking for the answer! The ladies here seem so trash-knowledgeable, I thought I’d ask. Also, please wear good shoes and really good heavy gloves if you do this…. safety should be considered… rusty nails/screws and other metals should be expected in some dumpster situations, as well as other things that can wind up putting you in a hospital w/tetanus shots… NO.FUN. And dumpster diving should be fun! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      April 8, 2013 at 10:01 am

      Tami – read part 3 of Karen’s dumpster diving tips (link in this post). She talks about the legalities.
      Kelly

      Reply
  20. Sherry

    April 8, 2013 at 5:06 pm

    Oh Man, Kelly, some of my best decor finds and projects came from the curb or dumpster! Loved reading Karen’s advice. This is one of my favorite pastimes. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I wish I had more time to dig through other peoples trash!!

    Reply
  21. Niki

    April 8, 2013 at 5:48 pm

    This is hilarious!! I never thought about looking for reno dumpsters. I did ALMOST stop and ask landscapers if I could have the limbs they were cutting from a bush…just didn’t have enough time to stop. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Debbie

    April 8, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    Now this is something I’ve never done…but secretly wish I could get up the nerve to! lol Love the tips, guess I’d have to take my husband’s pickup instead of my sedan. Right now, though, I have so much ‘garbage’ to redo…friends keep bringing their junk to me to work with. Saves having to dumpster dive.
    Debbie 🙂

    Reply
  23. Michelle

    April 9, 2013 at 5:50 pm

    That’s so funny that she found a man in one. Great tips, thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  24. Laura @ House Of Joyful Noise

    April 12, 2013 at 9:54 am

    Great tips, and amusing too. Lol.
    You’ve got ambition; I’ll give you that!

    Reply
  25. Blondie

    June 12, 2013 at 9:54 am

    Great tips. I don’t get up early; but I may have to start..lol. I’ll be checking out parts 2 and 3 next.

    Reply
  26. Blondie

    June 12, 2013 at 10:06 am

    Kelly – thank you for sharing this. Another tip I have learned (not by doing), is if you live in a college community; the best time of year to dive is May and December. I hope this helps.

    Reply
    • Blondie

      June 12, 2013 at 10:07 am

      oops… sorry I mean “Karen”

      Reply
  27. tammy

    September 19, 2013 at 4:00 pm

    I look forward to our trash off days where people get rid of all the stuff that have been storing up. I got 4 awesome dining room chairs, a wooden folding chair for my fall decorating and a number of other things the last time.

    Reply
  28. Lori

    September 25, 2013 at 7:33 am

    I have dumpster dived (dove?) at a nearby garden center the past 2 years. And at a Walmart who routinely threw plants away but would let them sit out back for days before compacting them. You wouldn’t believe the perennials in my yard, the annual baskets I have, and the fruits and vegetables we’ve had for free because of it! This country is so wasteful! I call it a “rescue mission” when I pull usable plants out and get them in the ground successfully.

    Reply
    • Francine

      January 15, 2014 at 1:43 pm

      This is exactly what I was wondering about!! I came close to going behind the
      Walmart before…I had seen some of the employees ditching plants in a cart going for the garbage. I couldn’t muster up the courage…I think I will now! I LOVE gardening and I know I can revive most of these. How awesome!!

      Reply
      • Laila

        April 12, 2014 at 5:40 am

        LOL,.I HAVE DONE THIS TOO! In fact, not only have I scored hundreds of free plants, vegetables and flowers that just need a little tlc, once I went to the seasonal garden center that sets up in the lot of our local grocer and they had carts and carts full of nursery pots full of dead/dying plants and peat moss and those plastic trays they use to stack the pots on shelves. They were going to trash them, so I asked if I could have them to re-use the peat moss. They agreed and my full sized truck bed was overflowing when I left. Some of the plants got revived, some were harvested for seeds, and I used the peat/soil mix in my flower beds. PLUS, I sold all of those nursery pots and trays online for a chunk! OMG, I’ve been throwing those away and recycling them for years, but never again folks. DIVE AWAY, I say. 🙂

        Reply
    • Laila

      April 12, 2014 at 5:47 am

      Amen, sister! My flower beds are full of great finds that were cast-offs from Lowes and Home Depot. They are discarded if too wilty or turning yellow. Usually an easy fix with proper care. Also, if at end of season, you can even get seeds and bulbs for next year from the brown ones they throw out.

      Reply
    • Sylvie

      August 27, 2014 at 12:52 pm

      I have been living in a small village in Bavaria and I was going in the cemetery dumpster! People there do change fresh flower and poted flowers usually every few days. I got some very nice plants that are still blooming one year after. I was making nice big flower arragement for the table and was sending pictures to my friends.

      Reply
  29. Trisha D.

    October 9, 2013 at 10:04 am

    These are some great tips that I never thought of.

    My favorite place to find dumpster dives is apartment complexes. The best time to go is the end of the month when people are in such a hurry to move out that they toss some really great pieces. I’ve found FREE Microwave dishes which are great if you break yours but play double duty for plant trays.

    Reply
    • Jaci

      March 26, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      apartment complexes are the best. I got a brand new charcoal grill and a bag-less vacuum that was only used once. My husband works at a grocery store and brings home buckets(3-5 gal) for me!

      Reply
      • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

        March 26, 2014 at 8:14 pm

        Great finds Jaci!

        Reply
  30. Kay

    May 27, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    I’m all for dumpster diving, but around here most of them are now locked up. They used to get a lot of street people rummaging through them and just leaving all the garbage outside and around the dumpsters. As you can imagine it became a major problem. So that’s not an option around here, but I do love to go yard-saling and occasionally I find goodies put out by people on the roadside. 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Paint Stick Table Top — Saved By Love Creations says:
    April 8, 2013 at 11:45 am

    […] Speaking of trash to treasure, my friend Kelly of Eclectically Vintage shared some seriously helpful tips for getting the most out of dumpster diving: […]

    Reply
  2. How to Save Money Decorating Your Home says:
    May 24, 2013 at 8:32 am

    […] tried it. People will set out perfectly usable (and beautiful) stuff for others to take as needed. Dumpster diving can help you net an apartment’s worth of furniture, decorations and accent pieces if you know how […]

    Reply
  3. Antique Monogrammed Window - Paint your own with this simple technique says:
    May 15, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    […] (which I shamelessly plucked from their dumpster – after I brushed up on my dumpster diving skills)! […]

    Reply

KELLY

About / Contact / Press
facebook twitter instagram google pinterest snapchat

Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



More About Kelly

Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
Subscribe for Email Updates:

Get in Touch

facebook twitter instagram google pinterest snapchat

I'd love to hear from you:
[email protected]

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · KellyElko All rights reserved. Site by WordPress Barista

Copyright © 2022 · KellyElko - 2016 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Sign up to get Kelly Elko's latest posts delivered right to your inbox
Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
23 shares