Loading ...One Couple’s Philosophy on Dumpster Diving and Recycling
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Just one blog of note this week, but in multiple parts. You may not agree with the Burts philosophies or think them too extreme. However, it is good to see through another’s eyes once and awhile. The Burts dumpster dive for both food items and non-food items.
Why we dumpster dive and recycle, Part 1: The Questions
1)What kind of dumpsters do you go to? “Any store that doesn’t have a compactor is fair game….”
2)Is it legal? “Josh [a friend of theirs] has actually been stopped by the police before, and after a short discussion with said police was allowed to get back to business.”
3)Isn’t the food contaminated by rats (and rat poop) in the dumpsters? “I don’t know who came up with the idea that dumpsters have rats, but they must have sent out a mass e-mail chain, cause everyone asks this.”
4)Aren’t dumpsters dirty? And wouldn’t the food in there be dirty too? “Yes, and often yes. Which is why we wash our food. Do you eat potatoes, carrots, radishes. Don’t forget that all these come from the most dirty place possible…dirt.”
5)If the food is still good, why is it thrown away? “Good question, self. Here are a few possible reasons…..”
6) If you can afford to buy food, shouldn’t you leave what’s in the dumpsters for the homeless? “We specifically don’t go to dumpsters in areas where we see homeless, because we don’t ever want to be in a turf war with someone who really needs it.”
7)What do you do with the excess? “I think it’s always a good idea to leave some, just in case there is someone else coming later that night.”
And more questions…
What is involved in a typical night of dumpster diving? Do you need any special equipment?
Is the actual dumpster diving dangerous?
What are some of the more unique items you’ve found in dumpsters?
Why we dumpster dive and recycle, Part 2: The Why for Recycling
“We recycle because it’s an easy and fun way to show concern for the environment. When God gave humankind “dominion” over the earth, I don’t think He meant for us to trash His creation.
Amanda and I went to the Dominican Republic a couple of years ago with a church. We toured two entire “cities” of hundreds upon hundreds of homes built into massive landfills. Before that trip, I’d never given recycling a thought. But I saw the effects of a civilization’s waste, and as I’m finding to always be true, the one’s who were paying for it were the poorest of the poor.”
Why we dumpster dive and recycle, Part 3: The Why for Dumpster Diving
“Dumpster Diving is a radical way to point out the overconsumption and careless waste in our country. (Radical enough to be noticed by national TV, I guess!)[They were on Oprah] Hopefully not just to point out the flaw, but to educate and encourage the audience to change some of their own habits.
We may have been born privileged into a highly luxurious, technologically advanced way of life with every comfort imaginable. But that doesn’t give us the right to irresponsibly trash the planet. It’s simply unacceptable, and we all need to do our part to care for the earth.”
i commend anyone for recycling anothers’ waste..now if they could get the dining establishment to give them the food before it goes to the dumpster then i think that would indeed be a better way to go. i offered to buy some milk from my local grocer that had hit its sell by date and the grocer said no, he had to throw it out because of the law. so i guess even the homeless and the poor are damned if they do and damned if they dont’. no matter what you do there is a cost to someone! it is sad.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pmI have seen several articles and Television reports regarding the act of dumpster diving and freeganism. I am more disgusted with the amount our country wastes than I could every be about dumpster diving itself. I am encouraged that people are becoming better at recycling, reusing, and reducing. Carry on dumpster divers.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:00 amI am encouraged by your enviromentally and socially concious ways. For anyone who finds dumpster diving is a bit to extreme try passing on leftovers, clothing, and other items to someone who maybe able to make use of them.
Tammy