Here’s the actual haul on a (meaning a single) semi-average dumpster:
9 Bags St4cy’s Pita Chips (Full month to Expiration, sells for about $2.50/bag)
1 Can Starching Spray
23 Power Bars (Chocolate and Peanut Butter)
40 5 oz bottles of Sev3n hour en3rgy (Sells for $5 per 2-pack)
1 Full bottle of Vitamin E capsules
6 Bottles Boost Protein drink
4 Blank DVDs with Jewel cases (a shrink wrapped 5-pack missing one)
10 2-pack boxes of assorted n4ture v4lley and Fiber Uno granola bars
1 Cl1ff Energy Bar
1 Dented can of Cranberry Sauce
5 Packs of En3rgy Beans
1 Pack of B3nadryl allergy relief
4 K4shi crunchy L3an meal bars
21 K4shi L3an meal bars
1 Neck pillow
1 Artificial Christmas Tree w/ lights(Came from a $50 box of two. One was broken)
124 Greeting Cards w/envelopes
1 B3lgian Rot4ry Waffl3 Mak3r
1 Slightly used, but perfectly functional D1rt Dev1l Powerless Vaccum
2 Halloween skeletons, still packaged
1 Electric Heating Pad
1 SVC hot/cold pack
1 Giant Univer4l Remote
5 Assorted vitamins and supplements
1 Package H4lls heartburn relief
1 Bottle Tyl3nol
4 Bottles Hand and Face Moisturizer
15 Tr1ple Thr3at Granola Bars
3 On3 Hundr3d Gr4nd Bars
15 Individually wrapped W4rhe4d C4ndies
1 Package of Spearmint flavored gum
12 Packages of Spearmint flavored Caffeine Gum
5 Packages of various makeup
I’ve found hundreds of packages of gum. I’ve found more unexpired bread than anyone in their right mind would want or need. Recently I’ve found over 50+ lbs of assorted chocolates. I’ve found hundreds of containers of different scented body butters and lotions. I’ve found thousand upon thousands of greeting cards with the envelopes. I’ve found several salvageable computers (they get tossed because the power supplies die and the owners don’t realize it is a very simply fix; just swap it out.), I’ve found hundreds of energy, breakfast, and granola bars. :-) I’ve found hundreds of day old donuts and bagels.
I also find the bizarre. I’ve found a dozen department store manikins in good repair. I’ve found dozens of Halloween costumes still in their packages (most priced $30—$50 a piece). Is anyone familiar with the donations given to needy families at Thanksgiving? You know, they come with a turkey, some bread, various canned goods. Well, I’ve found the perfectly good canned goods from these packages tossed into the dumpsters. They eat the turkey and toss the rest.
There’s also the trading and selling element. You know those 40 5 oz bottles of Sev3n hour en3rgy I listed above? I traded 35 of them for a Tivo™ on the barter section of craigslist. I’ve sold the greeting cards, the chocolates, etc.
Just in the last 6 months, I have recovered THOUSANDS of dollars worth of merchandise from dumpsters.
I have an excellent partner by the way. A two person crew is the best workable team in my opinion.
Here and here are pictures of the stuff from the list above.