DUMPSTER diver, Kathleen Elizabeth, 47, has found everything from expensive food, clothes, shelving units, and kitchen items on her hunts, some items worth over $1,000.
A Philadelphia-based project manager, Elizabeth has been a dumpster diver for the past three years and spends anywhere from two to four hours a week combing through her local industrial bins, having found $20k worth of new items.
The stepmom of two hasn’t had to buy any sugary treats for the past year after coming across a bin full of ‘Peeps’ candy after Easter sales.
And as great as they are, Elizabeth doesn’t keep all of her finds. Instead, the savvy businesswoman sells certain items online and has made just under a $5,000 profit so far.
Among the items that she actually does make use of include Wusthof knives worth $700, and an All-Clad pan set worth $2000.
Kathleen said of her discoveries: “One of my favorite finds was the Le Creuset pots, they were in perfect condition, and I actually use them at home myself.
“I’ve found a lot of homeware items, the shop Pottery Barn, actually waste quite a few items.
“I’ve picked up a range of lamps from their bins worth anywhere between $199 and $331.
“I also pick up a lot of seltzers, bottled water, and milk.
Elizabeth stated that her husband Matt, 52, doesn’t mind eating foods that have been in the bin, but she hasn’t told the kids yet.
“I’d never let someone eat something I wouldn’t eat/question myself,” she clarified.
Among Elizabeth’s haul items have been homeware items, cat and dog food for her pets, makeup, and an assortment of holiday cards from Christmas to Halloween.
The successful dumpster diver stated: “I started dumpster diving out of curiosity after watching videos on YouTube.
“I wanted to see how much big stores wasted and was shocked at the true value of items that got destroyed or thrown away for no reason.
“It’s crazy how much effort goes into an item just for it to get thrown away over a little scratch, damaged packaging, or a sell-by date.
“I usually go and have a look in the local bins every Wednesday and Friday evening, and I always end up coming back with quite a few items.
“From there, I either sell what I’ve found, or keep it for myself.”
She added: “I’ve found quite a few clothes, as well as a bin bag of about 300 pairs of socks.
“Sometimes they’ll have rips and things in which I try to fix and will often donate certain items afterward.
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“I never take more than I can carry, and always make sure to leave some for the next person who may be rummaging through the trash.
“I always make sure to keep a track of what it is that I’ve found in the bins and have actually sent complaints to the companies involved about their ridiculous waste.”
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