Dumpster Diving

Dumpster Diving

          “Dive! Living off America’s Waste” is a film that was created by Jeremy Seifert and some of his friends that details the amount of eatable waste that the grocery stores in his area of California throw away. Food waste appears to be a major issue across America where almost 100 billion pounds of food is wasted (Freegan). In addition to the United States, there are documented stories from “Global to the Edmonton Journal” that this is a problem in Canada also (Evans). It is estimated that more than half of the food that is produced in Canada winds up in a landfill (Evans). There is a new movement of individuals who scavenge for food from dumpsters. In the past, the individuals who would dumpster dive were the less fortunate or the homeless. Today there is a new generation of individuals who can be found dumpster diving who are not classified as less fortunate, nor are they homeless. They have labeled themselves as “Freegans.”

          What is a “Freegan”? The word freegan comes from a blend of free and vegan, but not all freegans are vegans. Freegans are usually a community of individuals who are anti-consumerism, and are trying to make a political statement about the wastefulness of society (Freegans). These individuals are not about being cheap or living off the waste of society. They are trying to make an impact and change people’s habits to the point that dumpster diving would no longer be possible (Kolowich). Another philosophical belief that freegans practice is called “couch surfing.” Through their group association, they are willing lend a couch, or another place to rest, to those in need or who may be traveling (Freegan).    

Dumpster diving has been a phenomenon for more than a decade. One individual, Julian Evans from Canada, began her dives in 2002 while residing in a “punk house” (Evans). The individuals who reside in this community house all live off of food that has been retrieved from dumpsters. While Evans’ mother worries about her health eating food from a dumpster, she was able to convince her mom to join her one night when she went to a local chocolate factory. What they retrieved was a bounty of sugary delights, many of which were her mother’s favorites. Another individual from Canada, Quincy Brandt, calls himself a seasoned trash forager who has over five years experience dumpster diving (Tibbetts). Brandt regularly meets with many of his friends on a weekly basis to dine on their dumpster diving rewards. These may range from king crab legs, fancy cheeses, dark chocolate, frozen hors d’oeuvres and pizza to fruits and vegetables (Tibbetts).

          One more person who practices dumpster diving, Jordan Myers, does not classify himself as a freegan but does believe in their viewpoint and values with regards to anti-consumerism (Freegans). Myers volunteers his time with a group called “Food Not Bombs” who help the less fortunate in Columbus (Freegans). This organization provides scheduled trash tours at night when businesses are closed. They bring their collection back to the foundation and prepare a potluck meal where the dumpster divers sit down and eat with the needy getting to know them (Freegan).  

          There are many downfalls to dumpster diving. Besides the health issue and the safety of the food itself, dumpsters are known to have bacteria and some companies spray their dumpsters with pesticides both of which can contaminate the food. Another hazard involves climbing in and out of the dumpsters, and the risk of being cut from sharp objects, i.e. nails, knives and/or glass that may be in the dumpster. While the perils involved in dumpster diving may seem too great to take a chance, it is obvious that others disagree by the numerous accounts that have been portrayed by the media. Freegans maintain that with the use of protective clothing and the proper handling of all food, washing and fully cooking, they have never been sick from their bounties (Tibbetts).  

           

           

Works Cited

Evans, Julian. "Dumpster diving with mom." Broken Pencil Apr. 2013: 8.

Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

"Freegans salvage food dumpster diving." UWIRE Text 24 Jan. 2011. Academic OneFile.

 Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

Kolowich, Steve. "Princeton Student Finds Passion in Garbage." The Chronicle of Higher

 Education 55.24 (2009). Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

Tibbetts, Janice. "Freegans risk the hazards of dumpster diving." CMAJ:

Canadian Medical Association Journal 16 Apr. 2013: E281+. Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.