dumpster diving's topics - tribe.net

Dumpster Diving Tips in France s'il te plait?

herecomesthesun — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:59:53 GMT

So I'd like to start taking this dumpster diving business a little bit more seriously, and have kinda started scoping out the dumpsters around my city (Strasbourg, France). But alas, to my dismay, they all seem to keep their garbage under lock, key and barbed wire fences (no kidding)!

So how is a wee little dumpster diver such as myself, to refine my diving skills with such madness ensuing around me?

My plea to the not neccessarily older, but wiser amongst you, is to share any tips or experiences for dumpster diving in Europe (France specifically), as I have not yet encountered like-minded people amidst my wanderings, whom I could potentially exchange ideas and such with.

Thanks a bunch in advance!

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Dumpster diving in Reno, Nevada

Poster_Boy — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:15:40 GMT

I am thinking of going to Burning Man for the first time, and I am wondering about the dumpster diving situation would be like in Reno, Nevada.
The main problem I can foresee is that the dumpsters would already be picked clean by other 'burners' by the time I got there.
Any thoughts?

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

FREE $$$$

Sterling~Hawk — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:08:31 GMT

Don't know how many of you drink coffee, I drink 2-3 starbucks a day - for free! It's amazing how fast change accumulates into dollars. I pick upall those gift cards you see people throwing out. You see, it's funny, people do not think ahead, and instead of either keeping the card or transfering the balance, they throw the cards away. $0.03, $0.17, $0.51, $ 1.12, = $1.83, thus 1 cup of coffee! I watch the people in front of me get a disgusted look when they are told that there is less left on the card than a cup of coffee. Let's say someone was just told "you have a balance of $0.76 left", so I approch them and say "I could not help but notice that ____ gift card, you know, my friend collects them, could I give you a quarter for it?" The outcome most of the time is "just have it", or "sure". So if it's just have it, I got $0.76 for free, and if I paid the quarter for it, I still made $0.26 (better odds than stocks)! The best find I ever got was a card with $100.00, in a parking lot, someone either dropped it or threw away the wrong card.

Forbes magazine had an artical on gift cards and estamated that on an yearly average, over a billion dallors is thrown away - hmmm, like I said, FREE $$$$ !!!!

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

University Move Out Day

Alain — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:39:45 GMT

The broader topic here for discussion pertains to the end of the Spring Semester when rich college students throw out everything they own to go to Central America or Europe for the Summer. The weekend after finals is a goldmine.
I have a gameplan every year for UC Berkeley. Would anyone like to conspire with me? I used to fill up a box truck from work on move out day and distribute stuff to different houses and apartments. I would be especially keen to meet people with trucks and vans or people who would find interest in renting a U-haul or Pensky with me. Otherwise I have bags we can fill, and I will either be bringing a truck or van. I know where all the dumpsters are, especially a few which no one knows of that are never picked through already by tweek'rs.

posted in dumpster diving - 9 replies

Dumpstering in Japan

Thu, 24 May 2007 03:27:07 GMT

Anyone ever done it? The garbage laws here are so strict and it only goes out on certain days in certain areas. I did score a whole box of turnips being thrown away from a produce stand though. I`m just curious if anyone else has stories about this.

posted in dumpster diving - 4 replies

Go get them tomatoes!

Redwood — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:42:27 GMT

The latest food contamination scare is upon us- Salmonella tainted tomatoes! This means one thing to us divers- buy a bunch of canning jars! It should be easy to find hundreds of pounds of tomatoes in the next few days.
I am gnashing my teeth now that I live in a city (New Orleans) where I haven't found any accessible food dumpsters. I did a 200 lb. batch of dumpster sauce 2 years ago and I just ate the last pint.
As always with these scares, your risk of illness is not zero but extremely low with each particular sample if you eat the stuff raw. Long cooking and canning completely eliminates the risk. Canning has its own set of risks but acid fruits like tomatoes can be processed in a boiling water bath, not needing a specialized pressure canner.

My dumpster sauce recipe:
http://tribes.tribe.net/66e7dbcf-aa71-487b-9fca-7cdf28ff18f7/thread/6b8bf775-f61c-4617-8553-c8f635546a52

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

threats to call the cops

urbanhg — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:05:15 GMT

so my friend and i were diving at our favorite dumpsteraround 11p, or so and a guy came out all pissy saying we couldnt take the trash and we were on private property and such... we came back around 230 that night to get the goods but i was wondering how you guys and gals deal with threats of calling the cops and things like that. when do you think are the best times to dive.

posted in dumpster diving - 8 replies

dumpster diving ban

Jade — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:54:09 GMT

In Modesto, CA. This sucks, their excuse is identity theft.

posted in dumpster diving - 4 replies

Dumpster Diving Documentary

David — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 22:20:41 GMT

Hi my name is David. I'm making an experiencial documentary about dumpster diving. Documenting all our own dumpster diving, but we also want to interview other people about their own thoughts on dumpster diving.
why do you dumpster dive.
what do you think are the benifits of dumpster diving?
for you, or others?

If anyone is interested, please email or call me. 248.505.4674.
david@roundsquareart.com

posted in dumpster diving - 12 replies

Why dive?

Perry — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:45:25 GMT

This question is open for anyone who wants to share their reasons for diving. I'm currently researching the culture of freegan-ism and dumpster diving for an ethnographic study in my masters program. From what I've seen and experienced, people dive for many reasons. Care to share?
BTW, I'm in the Denver area and am loving benefiting from college waste. Tis the season!

posted in dumpster diving - 10 replies

(v)room in bay area?

vee — Sat, 24 May 2008 10:38:00 GMT

hullo
i moved to the bay area a few months ago and have been staying in places i don't live
if anyone knows of a room for rent in or near berkeley please let me know

viva!

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

new diver

colter — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:57:31 GMT

Wen't through my first dumpster today and found an awesome pair of insulated coveralls, perfect for camping and cold weather laboring. I was wondering, where are the best places to go for bottles and cans?

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

wannabe dumpster diver in berkeley, how to get started, best spots...

cindy — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:51:13 GMT

i just started getting into this but i'm too scared to start, but where are some of the best spots, what times are the best and do you go by yourself or with friends??? i'm kinda scared to go alone but my friends would prolly think it's disgusting :( anyways, let me know any good info, tips

i've looked through some of the posts but don't know if that info is still accurate. thanks.

posted in dumpster diving - 10 replies

divers in orange county?

lieutenant luna bird — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:46:34 GMT

i am looking to netwyrk with others in the area and hunt out the untapped resources of this wasteful land.

in lake'ch

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

best score of my life

urbanhg — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:34:39 GMT

so i used to think it was great getting all sorts of yummy organic food and such from the health food stores i didnt think much else could top that till today... i found a huge canoe in my neighbors trash... they were throwing it away because of a minor hole that can easily be patched with some fiber glass! GAH I LOVE TRASH!

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

San Diego Dumpster Diving and Item Swap

tamara — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:40:45 GMT

Yo! lets Co-or-di-nate!

i live in San Diego, i dumpster dive on occasion, and am looking to step it up a knotch with some fellow hunters.
i have lots of stuff to trade and may at some time be able to post all this shit i got through this or another website
hehe, me likes internet, but more to meet face to face.

Lets get together SAN DIEGO!

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

eugene anyone?

sproutspregnancyjournal — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:38:08 GMT

is anyone in eugene?

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Diving in Toronto?

Painglass — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:20:12 GMT

I'll be visiting Toronto with my boyfriend for Spring break this month and I am wondering how the diving is in Toronto. Where are the good places to go? Do the thrift stores there throw things in the dumpster like that do here in Wisconsin sometimes? (Do they lock and compact dumpsters as much as they do here?) Any advice would be helpful! Thanks!

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

This week's finds

sharkgoddess — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:47:51 GMT

I found a floor lamp with two working fixtures (the third is fixable), a very nice toy puppy that barks when you squeeze its paw for my daughter, a casual service for eight (bowls and plates), a plastic strainer, and four huge salad bowls with lids and a salad fork. All sitting in a box next to the dumpster at my condo. My friend scored several blank or barely-worked stretched canvases.

The people around here throw away the most amazing things. I once made almost a hundred dollars because someone threw away four high-end vacuums and I salvaged them and sold them for parts.

posted in dumpster diving - 12 replies

benefit 4 wick (eastbay)

wickissick — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:53:01 GMT

friday april4th @ "your haus"
featuring
i yearn 4 maiden (iron maiden tribute band)
embers
elk
rebel's advocate
the stylish vocals of diva marisa (of the thunderdome)
hobo gobbelins
and other surprises
$10-$???
you can also donate to wickk23@yahoo.com via paypal
i need to raise at bare minimum $6,000
here is original story:
so last night i was biking between two houses on my way to the wonderful world of sleep when some folks thought it would be an entertaining idea to try and run me over with their fancy black sedan. so here i am riding down peralta pretty fast when i hear bass and see them sitting there then i hear a screech from their car and they shoot at me in a t-bone fashion. i swerve out of the way and stop my forward momentum with my backwards face and hand. they come to an almost stop within feet of me and jet off while i am spitting out chunks of my teeth. i start to get up when i notice my finger is crooked at a 30 degree angle and twisted, in the middle and i can't really move my mouth as it is already swollen up (and still is). i get my stuff together and get of the bike adding my bloodshed to the street that has seen so much in it's life to nyssa's and start banging on the door for someone to please be home. at this point i know i'm fucked. i am not going to be able to eat very well anymore right now. and the pain is quite a nuisance, like having little nanobots with jackhammers going to town on my head. and i get a ride to the hospital (thanks ten (10) and melanie!)
now...
i am getting my finger pinned back together tomorrow and am working on borrowing alot more money than i am comfortable with at the moment. what i need to ask is if anyone know a dentist preferably in the eastbay they can refer me too. i dont know how much i can pay but i can do payment plans and have a secure job.
i think i may try and have a benefit also.......and no you can't have my tooth fragments.
thanks for hearing me out.
in painful stricken solidarity
wick

posted in dumpster diving - 3 replies

DENVER DIVERS APB HELP ALERT!

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:37:24 GMT

hey my friend had about 100 mini dv video tapes stolen(among other things) around colfax and franklin in Denver, i checked some of the local dumpsters to no avail but ifyou happen to be in the area and dont mind to pop a lid they are probably mixed with osiris shoe boxes, flannel shirts, and random cardboard boxes address to mr. crew, anything is appreciated

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Ostara Abundance Blessings--

Sizzle — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:01:20 GMT

I found this in the dumpster of my blog history... enjoy this still fresh and tasty Ostara egg...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k54cn1gbIyI

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Dumpster diving in Vancouver, BC

Janaya — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:05:25 GMT

I'm a reporter with the Langara Voice and I'm writing an article on living free in Vancouver. I'd like to interview people regarding dumpster diving in our city.

Please contact me at: jfullerevans@yahoo.com

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

eugene

sproutspregnancyjournal — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:41:22 GMT

any one in the eug?

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

DIY Medicine tribe

Sentience — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:04:55 GMT

http://tribes.tribe.net/diymedicine

For the exchange of information on natural medicine, first aid, and self care. Perfect for travelers.

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Bartering Finds Plan

mark — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:15:14 GMT

I got an idea. We look up manufacturers of cool stuff and then go on craig’s list for that area and place a want/barter ad, telling people what you want and where they can go dumpster diving to maybe find it. For example, I can get about as much soap as anyone might want. I imagine others could find similar situations, and use the stuff to barter for stuff they don’t have access to. How to word the ad might be tricky, but I don’t think there would be any legal issues. It seems like big manufacturers usually have fenced-in lots, so smaller manufacturers might be the better search. Your thoughts?

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

$80...a credit card...a cell phone, digital camera and much much more..

Suede — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:25:56 GMT

I dumpstered at a local university when the school was kicking students out in may. i found $80 in a working cd player...found someones credit card (we were able to find the person and return it to them), a working cell phone, a working digital camera and lots of other goodies. it was amazing. we had about 4 large vans full of awesome finds.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
My name is Suede and I live at Twin Oaks Community in Louisa, VA. This year I'm co-organizing the Communities Conference at Twin Oaks for my 2nd year, though the conference has been happening for many years now. Thought I'd post some basic info on the conference for those interested in learning about community, expanding knowledge or just meeting new people. Feel free to contact me with any questions about Twin Oaks or our conferences.

In Community,
Suede Machete

Here's the info:

The Communities Conference is a networking and learning opportunity for anyone interested or involved in co-operative or communal lifestyles. Join us for a weekend of sharing and celebration!

Friday August 15 through
Sunday August 17, 2008
$85 (sliding scale) includes
meals and camping

With workshops and events focused on
~ Intentional relationships
~ Group process
~Collective child raising
~ Creating culture
~ Forming communities
~ Sustainability
~ Appropriate technology
~ Community economics

Music
Dancing
Slide shows
Campfires
Swimming
Magic
More!

Respond to:
Twin Oaks Communities Conference
138 Twin Oaks Road, Louisa, Virginia 23093
540-894-5126

conference@twinoaks.org

For More Information, check out our website:

www.communitiesconference.org

Twin Oaks also hosts a Women's Gathering! Check that out at :

www.twinoaks.org/community...index.html

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Good Collection of Important Websites

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:11:07 GMT

Dear Friends,

I found this important website which has links to all daily use Important Websites.

http://ihome.rapidmile.com

I recommend you to put it as your HOME PAGE and take use of it daily.

Also feel free to forward to your friends

Regards,
Namrata

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Eugene Bread

Linsey — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:26:59 GMT

So everyone probably already knows this, but there is pretty much no reason to buy bread in the city of Eugene. Both Eugene City Bakery (19th and Agate) and Great Harvest Breads will give you free day olds if you go right before closing time, and Metropol just puts all of the bread they don't sell or give away in a "bread dumpster" for people to take.

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Metropolis Bakery in Berkeley?

MMelnicki — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:17:16 GMT

does Metropolis Bakery in Berkeley still exist? (and can you dumpster there?)

their website and google say 707 A Heinz... that's at the very end of the block by the train tracks. i rode there today and didn't see a bakery (but did see a dance studio and a used office furniture store)...

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

everydaytrash.com awesome website

Jubilancy — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:58:33 GMT

http://www.everydaytrash.com

gots a gazillion links to everything trash-related you can think of, and counting...

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Lamm's candies Austin

melody — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:50:44 GMT

Just got back into Austin, anyone know some hot spots? Lamm's candies on Airport was the shit back in the day, bricks of chocolate for the taking! Anyone in the Austin area want to check out some spots or have any recommendations?

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Dumpster by day

Alain — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:12:30 GMT

I love to dumpster at the really ritzy grocery stores during busy times and broad daylight. The people look so disgusted when going to their cars. I like to know that they are face to face with reality at least once that day.

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

CLIF bar - Berkeley

MMelnicki — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 02:27:13 GMT

Hi folks,

CLIF bar dumpster was unlocked and easily accessible this afternoon, and FULL of clif, luna, and nectar bars. whoah! unwrapped though. I filled a backpack. It's been a while since I had a score there. Gogettum!!!

posted in dumpster diving - 31 replies

Poopload of Cardamom

Alain — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:31:28 GMT

I have mucho Cardamom, maybe 40-50 pounds. It smells like it has some Cinnamon and maybe some Garam Masala in it. Anyone in the East Bay interested?

posted in dumpster diving - 4 replies

PDX Divers?

kidautonomy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:48:25 GMT

Where are you? Let's form a team/squad/troop/crew and split what we find. Or supplement FNB. Or start a free market. Something. Anything.

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

PDX Divers?

kidautonomy — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:41:30 GMT

Where are you? Let's form a team/squad/troop/crew and split what we find. Or supplement FNB. Or start a free market. Something. Anything.

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

greenhouse!!!

amanda — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:13:59 GMT

so my husband built a geo-desic greenhouse from the trash collected at construction sites.
we had the plastic, so we got a green house for free!
the screws, nails, ply wood scraps and packets of trashed 2x2s--just in the trash

posted in dumpster diving - 5 replies

Vegetables

Chèvre — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:58:03 GMT

I just watched a thing on Youtube (sorry I can't find it anymore) about planting a garden exclusively from cuttings, seeds, and whole vegetables found in dumpsters in back of supermarkets and/or local fruit and vegetable stands. It seemed like such a simple but great idea, I wonder if anyone else has tried it? Perhaps the greenhouse built from scavenged materials could be put to use in such a way as well!

Just thinking out loud really, but if anyone's got any stories please share them!

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Semmifreddi's Bakery in Emeryville

Vaudie-slam... — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:57:43 GMT

The BEST place to dumpster for bread!!
I haven't gone yet, but my room mates bring tons of great bread from there constantly!
They say that the dumpsters are always full... and UNLOCKED!
... and the best part is that only bread is allowed in the dumpster, so there is no garbage that you have to filter through!

posted in dumpster diving - 3 replies

Produce/Warehouse District Downtown Oakland

Vaudie-slam... — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:24:17 GMT

The Produce Markets from Jack London to China Town (mostly from Embarcadero to 4th, between Harrison and Broadway.) are great for dumpstering food.
The market right across the Webster tube from me had a whole dumpster full of cucumbers the other day.
**Ofcourse, they either had a little nick in them, or had a bruise or a mold spot, but it was all clean enough to either wash off, or cut off.
If you go to these markets in mid-afternoon, after the streets are clear of loading trucks and workers, then you can find lots of goodies all around... Some markets even leave boxes of produce right out on the sidewalk (which really pisses the yuppies off that live in the condos down the street. So lets stop their bitching, and move the food for them!)
**Like I said, all the food is a little damaged, but you should be able to be a good enough judge to determine what you should and should not eat!

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Art dumpsters

LydiaIsa — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:56:25 GMT

I'd never thought about it until a friend just told me, he regularly dumpsters behind a framing shop by his house. he gets loads of great quality papers and frames already cut but later rejected that he uses to frame or for other projects. Such a good idea! And it makes me wonder what other art store dumpsters have to offer, that I have not yet seen.

tell me what you find if you have good luck as well!

posted in dumpster diving - 7 replies

Santa Cruz?

Sentience — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:57:31 GMT

Any spots I should know about?

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

Hello I am Efrit Mbotu

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:00:56 GMT

I have buisness propsal for you.

posted in dumpster diving - 14 replies

What's the best thing you ever scored...

Bill — Fri, 05 Nov 2004 19:46:47 GMT

..while dumpster diving?

I've found some hellof random shit-bowling balls, electronic equipment that works, surfboards...

And photo shops-they throw out some wierd pictues!

posted in dumpster diving - 160 replies

Home Depot

spidra — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:36:40 GMT

Has anyone ever dived a Home Depot? I was at the nursery at the one in Emeryville yesterday and noticed them loading a shopping cart full of marginal plants to toss. I asked an employee about them and she says they never mark them down, they never let the employees have a crack at them, they throw them out. I drove around the back of the store and it looked to me like it was one of those stores with a locked unit. Any luck diving a Home Despot?

posted in dumpster diving - 67 replies

Dumpster Diving since before you were BORN!

krysta'lynn — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:40:48 GMT

Well, not really. I've been around it all my life, when I was young it embarassed me to see my mom rifling through the trash. Now that I'm a little older and wiser, and seeing various posts on here about how much awesome stuff you can find, I'm now rather intrigued.

Basically, all I want to know is if there are any good locations that I can start off with in the South Bay [Santa clara, San Jose, Mountain View, etc.]? Should I bring gloves? o_O Any advice, people? I'm a newb, help meee!

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Dumpster Trove on NPR

Alyssum — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:59:27 GMT

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15772871&ft=1&f=1021

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Los Angeles Please Help Me!!!

Alex — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:20:31 GMT

Just moved out here from the east coast. Missing the hell out of the philly and baltimore Odwalla Dumpsters. I know there has to be one out here, anyone feel like throwing me a bone? I can do something for you in exchange, ie: fix your bike, DIY tattoo maybe? name it, but please help me out!

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Used Cooking Grease

tonyakay — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 22:42:46 GMT

I run my 2001 VW TDI Jetta on waset vegetable oil. Now that I've got over a year and 25,000 miles on veg oil, I've been focusing my research and development energies on quickening and cleaning up the prefiltering process. Check out pics to see what I've DIYed in the Lonely Garden Forum under the Alternative Fuels Topic http://tonyakay.com/phpbb/index.php

- tonya kayos

http://kayosmarket.com
http://tonyakay.com

posted in dumpster diving - 3 replies

Divers in Minneapolis?

mrobbins — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:50:09 GMT

I drove around Whole Foods by Lake Calhoun, their dumpster looks like it it locked tight. Anyone in the Lakes are or SLP area that dive?

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Dumped on TV

amy — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:41:10 GMT

Channel 4 in the UK has a new reality show with contestants living in a dump. It is my favorite new show that I have never seen. Please correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like you have to live in the UK to download the 4oD viewing software.

Here is a link to the show
http://www.channel4.com/lifestyle/green/dumped.html

Here is a link to ask BBC America to broadcast Dumped on this side of the pond
http://viewerrelations.bbcamerica.com/bbcaviewerrelations/bbcaviewerrelations.nsf

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Dumpster dive in WISCONSIN

Maureen — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:15:13 GMT

NBC affiliate in Milwaukee is working on a news story about dumpster diving, freeganism, anti-consumerism and using what's out there rather than creating and consuming more. Anyone want to share their feelings on camera? Or better yet, take along a camera crew on a dumpster diving outing? Please reply to post if interested! Thanks Maureen

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Divers in Milwaukee?

Painglass — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:24:19 GMT

Hello! I'm a diver here in Milwaukee. I often go with friends, but they have very restricted schedules sometimes. Anyone here interested in going with me sometime? Most of the time I just hit the alleys and streets, but I'd be interested in trying corporate/grocery diving. I am just too scared to go by myself.

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

guess what i found!

banshee — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 22:41:17 GMT

i found a huge dbl-ended black dildo in the trash!

posted in dumpster diving - 9 replies

Community needs from a dumpster

Lewy — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:32:32 GMT

In my years of dumpsterin, I have come across so much, huge amounts more than I need.
Early on I became a pack rat, keeping useless crap, "cause someone might need it one day".
I have had to deal with that and now I stay mostly crap free.
Every year after the collages get out, the amounts of useful stuff are amazing, so my point,
since Craigslist has become a useless tool for giving free stuff away, how do you guys deal
with spreading the dumpster love to other people. As in are there networks or should they be
networks of exchange to distribute the god awe-full amounts of free good stuff to the masses
in your local areas. How about an online network?

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

a few posts

Alyssum — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:57:56 GMT

watermelon (boingboing):
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/09/03/more-food-in-dumpste.html

food bank dump in the desert (boingboing):
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/03/23/food-bank-dump-in-th.html

fortune cookies (flickr):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pyrokinetic/sets/72157601826900376/

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

need ride from denver to cali

chi — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:16:18 GMT

Satya and I are looking for a ride from denver to northern california as soon as possible.
we don't have much stuff, and will go in half on gas. looking to ride in a nice legal kine ride.
many mahalos
Brian

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Hella Bonanza Vegan Potluck Picnic!

cassandra — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:21:39 GMT

Come eat hella good vegan food with us! Bring a dish to share (no meat, dairy, eggs, or honey), your own plate and a spork, and all your friends. We're rad, you're rad, let's hang out!

Sunday, August 19th at 1:00pm til late
Mosswood Park (at the corner of Broadway and MacArthur in Oakland)

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Ethical Question

groovinjello — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 19:45:28 GMT

Ok, here's an ethical question for discussion.

What are your feeling about stuff that is left out for thrift stores?

Often times people will dump stuff by Thrift store drop sites or in the thrift store back lot after hours.

So what is your oppinion?

posted in dumpster diving - 38 replies

PEOPLES FASHION SHOW : BRC : SATURDAY 9:1:7 5PM CENTER CAMP STAGE

missvelvetcream — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:58:15 GMT

theme of the year : GO GREEN!!! = salvage : trashion : remake : reconstructed : reware :
I WANT YOUR FRESH FRESH GEAR FOR THE PEOPLES FASHION SHOW SATURDAY B4 THE BURN!!!

are you rocking the best of the best salvage / trashion gear this year? i want you for the peoples fashion show!
all participants are delightfully encouraged to strut your best and most delicious in center camp cafe on saturday early evening B4 the burn.

to get a participant patch, please visit miss velvet cream or sticky t at DUSTFISH 9:30 + Esplanade
OR email me now!!!! missvelvetcream@gmail.com [more venues for recruiting posses TBA]
dustfish will be up and kicking from monday morning through tuesday morning.......

YOU BRING!!!
your fanstastical gorgeousness and funky fresh remake salvage trashion reconstructed gear for the best of the best.......
WE GIVE YOU!!!!
funky beats : an adoring audience ready to learn the cutting edge of what's FRESH REMAKE NOW!!!! and video : photos : rockstar fun and delights........ maybe maybe maybe that case of chilled champagne [bring a bottle!]

join the tribe for more details!!!!
tribes.tribe.net/trashion

and get to know miss velvet cream
tribes.tribe.net/missvelvetcream

and the trashy gorgeous DUSTFISH!!!
dustfish.tribe.net/

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Trash of the Stars

crisco_in_the_lbc — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:04:36 GMT

BRENTWOOD, Aug. 10, 2007 (KABC-TV) - There's no doubt about it, America's obsession with celebrity is at an all-time high. But it may now be reaching a new low with a venture called HollywoodStarTrash.com. Two local 20-somethings who work by day in the entertainment industry work by night digging through celebrity trash -- all so they can sell it online.

Related Links
IMAGES: Treasured Trash
LINK: HollywoodStarTrash.com (www.hollywoodstartrash.com)
In the dark of night, in some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the world, two masked men are swiping celebrity trash.

The stench aside, it's dirty work in every sense of the word.

"We're just like, 'What's the worst possible idea we could come up with?' And this was it," laughs "Tom," who wanted to keep his identity private. "This was it."

Their bottom of the barrel trash-to-cash scheme has already paid off.

"So far, we've made a little over $2,500 off Paris Hilton's trash," said Tom.

Fan mail, a grocery list, platinum blonde hair extensions, used make-up, a pillowcase, a used toothbrush and the piece de resistance -- used dental floss from Paris Hilton's trash, auctioned off for $1,000.

On a recent night when Eyewitness News tagged along, these high-end dumpster divers were scrounging for new celebrity trash. Their first stop was Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart's Brentwood mansion. There they found a script for "Brothers and Sisters," and -- possibly for Ford's softer side -- a lot of sunflowers. They also nabbed a children's birthday invitation.

The next stop was John Travolta's 8,000 square-foot estate. There's a theme to this star's trash -- food, and lots of it. Pepsi cans, blueberry muffins, an unopened box of Swans Down Cake Flour, and Pinkberry. They also found receipts, another invite, and a congratulatory card sent to Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston.

The next stop on the tour was Jim Carrey's Brentwood home. Girlfriend and fellow comic Jenny McCarthy's mail is found there, too. The dumpster divers found lunch plans, a VHS tape, and evidence someone might be on a diet -- lot of lettuce and salads.

Over at the Ben Affleck-Jennifer Garner residence, more health-conscious rubbish is found. It appears Affleck is keeping in shape, but then the divers find a French fryer -- a sign perhaps that even celebrities may have their weak moments.

"I guess when you get this famous, you're kind of asking for it, you know," said "Reed" who wanted to keep his identity private.

So is this invasion of privacy going too far?

"It's all legal," said Tom. "We're having a pretty fun time doing this."

But is it really legal? The LAPD says no.

"You can't go through someone's trash," said Sgt. Lee Sanders of the LAPD. "If you are seen, you can be cited. It is an infraction for someone to do that, so there is a fine someone would have to pay if seen by an officer and cited."

Two L.A. city municipal codes prohibit dumpster diving of any kind. But the HollywoodStarTrash.com guys say federal law does allow it, so they plan to continue their scrounging through -- and selling of -- celebrity trash

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Seeds for peace in the middle east?

Benj_of_Arc — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 07:31:03 GMT

Hay all!
I've tried to post a this before, but for some reason, it didn't registrar and folks couldn't read what I had written. So, I'm going to attempt to write it out again and hopefully this time, we'll have more responses,

Ok, so...a little info and background. I'm in Israel, and working on a project out here to grow herbs for the community. Also, wanting very much to have a program available for kids and their parents to learn about plants and how they communicate with us on all levels. It's really something that isn't being done here and I would like to bring this opportunity to light. I need some help. That's way i'm writing this request. We have a few green houses, so climate is not an issue. We need seeds! All different kinds, but organic. Herbs and winter vegetables.

The list for herbs:Elder flowers ,Yarrow ,Sage ,Rose hips ,Echinacea,Mullein,Astragalus,
Poke Root,Elecampane ,Thyme.

We are asking for 30 seeds each be sent to Israel.
We are asking for donations, since this project can really use all the help it can get and we really don't have the funds to get these seeds. Also, we request that the seeds are from your own garden and collected by you. It's a beautifal thing to know that the seeds that we are receiving are from people who cared for these plants and havested the seeds themselves. There is a story there and it makes it interesting to explain where these seeds came from and who cared for them. We like telling it this way.

Our request for organic Veggie seeds:
Celery ,Chinese leaves ,Dark greens ,Leeks ,Mushrooms, Squashes ,Winter roots ,Winter salads.

If it's not too much trouble to send the seeds with labels so we know what is what.

If you have any questions please feel to send me a message.
Thanks so much for helping us with this project. I mean a lot to us and the many people who's lives will be changed by your seeds.

If you are interested, please let me know and I can give out the address of where to send the seeds.

~peace~

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Sweet stuff at Andronico's; where to get veggies?

Squimpy — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 06:40:13 GMT

The Solano location. Cupcakes, walnut-lemon-something bars, snickerdoodles, ginger cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and an entire angel food cake. I took some croissants and a pack of cookies; everything else is there and untouched. Plus croissants, bagels, bread of course, and pita. All fresh and in a tied plastic bag. There was also a spill of clean sunflower seeds, I put a bunch in a bag.

They have a chained gate but if you're small, you can squeeze through. Going over the top is also an option. There is a motion-sensing light, so just be quiet and cautious. I got in and out at about 11pm tonight without anyone noticing.

Anyone got a lead on getting some fresh veg in the Bay Area? Would prefer Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, etc. I haven't had too much luck with that so far.

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

Emeryville Diving Report

Squimpy — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:14:00 GMT

I just got back from a pretty successful dive at Semi-Freddy's (Hollis/Parrrk), where there was an insane amount of bread just piled up for the taking, still bagged. And the Traitor Jo's over near Christy had tons of bread, eggs, and a bag of red seedless grapes set outside the dumpster area. I also found a package of raw green beans, a package of dried mango, a canister of sea salt, and a mystery can with the label torn off.

I also tootled around behind the Joe-An Fabrics and stuff; 99% of the dumpsters were unlocked, but I didn't find anything cool. Might be worthwhile to keep an eye on it, though.

More Emeryville/Oakland info would be greatly appreciated!

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Veggie Booty Gots the Salmonella!

brando — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 22:31:14 GMT

VEGGIE BOOTY GOTS THE SALMONELLA!!! outbreak in 17 states, 51 cases at least

I awoke the morn of the first of this month about 2:30 am after 4 hrs sleep to the call of the full moon....and full dumpsters....what else does one do at such an early hour when they can't go back to slumber, i ask...this happened to be my first early morning raid, so i was quite elated....and then, at the trusty local qfc, to my great surprise, i spotted the elusive veggie booty!!!...i swear it!...cases of it....indeed, i was apt to plunder such a large amount of booty, but my trusty frequency modulator informed me the other day that this booty is infected with the salmonella....dirty booty!!!...i stood aghast!...all this booty laid wasted, when it should have been laid wasted upon!...such a tragedy, indeed...so now, it's 5am....i am back to wash the treasures...and to lament such a terrible loss... :-(

more info on the dunh, dunh, dunnnhhhh, Dirty Booty!!! can be found here:

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/roberts06_07.html

cheers...happy hunting!...
love, b

posted in dumpster diving - 4 replies

The MAFIA is offering a deal

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 06:30:32 GMT

Guaranteed safe passage to New Zealand. We have important people from every group here on hold and they know that if anything happens they will meet the reaper.

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

big wooden giraffes, anyone?

Ilana — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:06:56 GMT

there are a couple of cool looking wooden giraffes (4 or 5 ft high), plus some other household stuff like a cd tower and plastic bins (all of unknown condition), in the dumpster at polk and hayes. watch out for broken glass from an aquarium.

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Food Not Bombs

Sizzle — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:50:47 GMT

anyone in here part of the Food not Bombs mission?

if so - on what part of the globe are ya?
happy diving!!

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

Dumpster Chain Analysis

kobaltgreen — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:14:58 GMT

This is for entertainment purposes only.

I've noticed that certain chain stores are consistently either dumpsterable or not, most chains at least have certain tendencies that are worth noting. This kicks off with some theory, then I've written my experiences with different chains as well as described them (based on worthiness of checking) as RELIABLE, OK, COMPLEX, ANNOYING or USELESS for improved skim-ability. This is incomplete, please extend, expand and contradict me.

THEORY SECTION

Within each chain store, take into account that each dinosaur is a little different:
1.The bigger, yuppier or more metropolitan cathedrals of consumption are more likely to have compactors.
a)I think less profitable houses of god can't afford compactors (locks, however, are cheap).
2.Bigger cities are more likely to lock/fence everything.
3.If its fairly authentically hippy its probably dumpsterable, but if its too hippy the employees get the food!
4.The easier it would be to make money off dumpstering a place, the less they'll want you to.

FOOD SECTION

Wholy Foods-
COMPLICATED
Don't recall ever seeing a holey foods that is dumpsterable PERSAY. Food Not Bombs often gets their food from either a worker or from a place where they leave it for them. Its possible they leave a pallet of produce out to be picked up by pig "farmers" sometimes.

Traitor Joe's-
RELIABLE
Perhaps the most consistently easy, nation wide chain to dumpster mid-small quantities of food. Rarely locked, rarely a compactor (Towson, MD had a dumpsterable compactor!). The employees are always there till MONDO late though..

Pantera Bread "the most extreme heavy metal bakery!"
OK
In the 'burbs, so often a locked dumpster. Had a few good times... not a whitebread fan myself.

Phood Lion-
RELIABLE
Only in the South? gotten produce from their unlocked dumpsters at three locations.

Crogers-
USELESS
Only in the mid west? Are they in the North east? haven't seen a dumpsterable one yet.

Allbert's sons-
USELESS
West coast I think. Locks and compactors...

Safetyway-
OK
Is it westcoast only? They often have compactors, very unreliable. At least one used to leave a pallet out for pig farmers, homeless folks where diggin' it and Safetyway ended up putting it out unoften and behind other shit.

Raleyz-
PRETTY OK
I've only seen them in Nor Cal. At least one leaves a pallet of produce out for pig farmers every night, they had a compactor.

FoodMaxin' or any grocery store that large is:
USELESS.
Huge locked compactors. (although there is the possibility that this rumor about one up north that puts out a pallet of produce for pig "farmers" is accurate)

Androidicos and Pharmer Joe's
Are they just in Berkley and Oakganistan respectively? I have no idea. Andriod is a great guy, hes into fences but not locks he loves produce. Joe... this is a Joe I barely know.

STUFF SECTION

BiggerLots-
RELIABLE YET ANNOYING
Nationwide crappy stuff outlet, always seems to have a unlocked dumpster (prob'ly too small for compactors) FULL of crap that is just barely worth taking, some of its food, most of its plastic.

Wally-World or any store that large is:
USELESS. Huge locked compactors.

Wall Green cornerbore-
USELESS.... usually
Usually compactors or locked dumpsters, they occasionally have a dumpster (Dublin) and will have outdated or unmarketable stuff in huge quantities. Example: candy with Easter-bunnys on em'.. I think that the small Wall Green that have compactors, do so to keep up their image of biggest-capitalists-on-the-block.

Block dusters movie rental-
ANNOYING
Good if you want DVD CASES bad if you want DVDs, although some say they've gotten movies

RadioShaft electronics-
USELESS
Nothin' but packages.

posted in dumpster diving - 5 replies

SF - gourmet dumpster diving

thebrillianthen — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:09:42 GMT

My roommate recently graduated from the California Culinary Academy (625 Polk Street). The amount of waste that goes on in that place is mind boggling. There are a couple ROWS of green waste containers in front of the place, all filled to the brim with that waste. Some of it is veggie trimmings and such, but some of it is straight up gourmet dishes.

I went to a student buffet test event there, and crammed my body full of canapes and creme brulees. I filled up some plates to take home. Then, I watched in horror as pounds of remaining food were tossed away. Whole smoked salmons, rolled meats, desserts, everything under the sun. Some untouched, but be warned, most/all unwrapped when tossed.

My roommate said that the school is being frustrated by some bureaucratic reason that they can't donate the food to shelters or other organizations, and he told me they are VERY tolerant of having their waste rifled through.

Just a word to the wise. I can't handle eating unwrapped food, but if anyone gives this place a try, please post the results and let us know how it went!

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Where to dive good produce in Berkeley?

Pampelmousse — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:28:18 GMT

SO i just moved to Berkeley from SF and am wondering the best places to get produce here. Any pointers?

posted in dumpster diving - 16 replies

whole foods

aprilrose — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:22:25 GMT

my first experience dumspter diving was tonight,

...living in the niche of excess and waste

whole foods puts boxes and crates of food out that are wrapped in plastic on wood slats...not even in a dumpster. We found 3 boxes of the best tasting almonds I've ever had (they don't expire until november! they were marked "mispick"--whatever that means) We found coconuts and esparagus. 3 potted plants and two bouquets (they just need a little love) The best part: two boxes of vegan cookies! (expired yesterday)

it was relatively clean and easy and there was so much good stuff! I didn't know they tossed so many good things. Unfortunately a lot of it was cheese...it was a warm day today.

posted in dumpster diving - 3 replies

new to mission SF

marit — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 21:15:52 GMT

locals give me the word on best dumpsters in or around the mission in san francisco@ seattle was good to me... this place shall be better. xox

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

I need Free Materials For Some Remodeling...Help. [Home Depot]

Ramar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:13:39 GMT

Which Home Depot's in the East Bay are good to dumpster dive at? I already heard that the one in Emeryville is all locked up and inaccessible, so what other Home Depots in the East Bay (or even San Francisco area) can I hit up and dont have to worry about it being all locked up and inaccessible. Thanks... btw: heard that Home Depot throws away tons of expensive stuff on a regular basis. I need to do some remodeling and I need some free building supplies. Help please.

posted in dumpster diving - 8 replies

Ann Arbor dumpster divin'

Ollie — Tue, 15 May 2007 05:33:39 GMT

Just moved to SE Michigan, and I've heard wonderful things about diving in AA. Anyone know the dillio?

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

SCORE!!!!!

BroKe — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:02:50 GMT

I just found out that I have a friend that works security at a GINORMOUS mall right by me, and I asked him if he ever finds anything in the dumpsters that is good (duh, there must be TONS of stuff....) and he told me that I could call him whenever I wanted to look, and he would gladly let me into the dumpster room. I can't wait, I think I will go tonight. I am thinking anything that I may not use for craft projects I will just drop off at the Salvation Army. I am so EXCITED!!!!!!

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

The season is upon us

Linsey — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:09:26 GMT

This is for everyone who lives in a town/city with a college. I'm sure there are others out there who have experienced the wonderful waste of moving college students. the things they throw away (or most of the time leave by the side of the dumpster because they're to lazy to dispose of it properly) are incredible. I've gotten chairs, lamps, kitchen utensils, carpets, and book shelves, all of good quality and in good condition. I have friends that have found working computers, clothing, ipods, lots of furniture, a gas grill, sports equipment... The list goes on seemingly forever. I'm from Eugene, around here we call it hippie christmas, and I'm already beginning to feel the holiday spirit. I hope everyone else in a college town can enjoy as thoroughly as I do.

posted in dumpster diving - 5 replies

Any Freegans or experienced divers in the west burbs of Chicago??

Gill — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:53:27 GMT

I want to learn from a pro and eventually aspire to be a Freegan. I hate the wasteful consumeristic throwaway attitude of our society!!

I am a Vegan environmentalist wanna be and I am a newbie, but I dream of doing more. Can you help me out? I am free most nights and some weekends. Peace & Blessings, Jill

P.S> If I ever want to work at Trader Joe's should I stay out of their dumpsters?

posted in dumpster diving - 2 replies

Last night's find

sharkgoddess — Sat, 05 May 2007 16:43:54 GMT

a perfectly good children's wading pool that has a few small cracks that I'm going to attempt to patch. I promised my daughter that if I can't patch it well enough for water, we'll plant our own meadow in it so that she can lay in the grass and stare at the clouds (we live in a second-story condo).

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

Each day, a new heart ach!

Chèvre — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:47:24 GMT

Let me just preface this story with a brief explanation . . .

I’m going to be going to Europe soon to backpack so I’m trying not to accumulate anymore material belongings. I also, while I save come cash, live with my Mom, and if I bring anything else into the house she’s going to kill me!

This said, I’ve got a new job as a chucker on a garbage truck. We work a lot in smallish cities and rural areas and I see the best stuff being thrown away each day! I’ve always known this was happening but it’s never broken my heart as much as having to be the guy to put otherwise perfectly useful stuff into the garbage hopper and crush it.

For instance today I saw someone throwing out two perfectly functional manual lawn mowers (the kind that don’t use gas, just a spinning cylinder of blades) and the other day I had to crush 6 fantastic wooden chairs! Yesterday was a couch bed and who knows what horror tomorrow will bring?

That’s not even mentioning the fortune people throw away or recycle in the form of beer and wine bottles! It seems every house throws out at least two wine bottles a week! And here’s a tip, if you see one beer bottle atop a bin of garbage, there’ll be at least 4 more inside! I saw one enterprising paperboy who was collecting recycling as he delivered his papers!

Just thought I would post that and let everyone know there’s tons of great stuff to find curbside as well as in dumpsters! You just need a truck to carry it and to get around while you scrounge.

posted in dumpster diving - 7 replies

minneapolis dumpster diving

JeremY — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:34:34 GMT

any minneapolis dumpster divers here?
if so perhaps we can combine our forces and resources ;)
.:JeremY:.

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

americas waste

James — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 02:01:29 GMT

I am so sick of this country, it is just ridiculous, waste, waste, waste, they say we beat the russians to the moon, but I say they starved the children to do it. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!its madness, I cant take this glass piercing off my brain and being anymore!!

posted in dumpster diving - 4 replies

methods

MickD — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 01:28:57 GMT

So, do you "organize" your diving, laying stuff out, separating wheat from chaff? Or do you just dive in and make like the tasmanian devil in your searches?

posted in dumpster diving - 9 replies

Algonquin, Il is holding a spring cleaning day

illuminated1 — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:31:05 GMT

This is for Illinois folks.

hurrry the town of algonquin is holding a spring cleaning day so we all clean out our basements and garges and places everything on the curb saturday waste magament comes saturday to clean the streets last year ive seen computer parts toys metal lot of knick knacks furniture old bikes lawm mowers i just feel anything that reuse doesnt end up in the land fills ok algonquin in nw burbs the area is between RT25 and the fox river south of algonquin also call RT 62 the zip is 60102

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

freegan

Katheryn — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:40:14 GMT

who here is a freegan?

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

EMERGENCY ALERT: F.C.C MEETING ON MEDIA CONSOLIDATION 4/29/07 TAMPA FLORIDA

Jay Shaft — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:43:18 GMT

EMERGENCY ALERT: F.C.C MEETING ON MEDIA CONSOLIDATION 4/29/07 TAMPA FLORIDA
Category: News and Politics

Official FCC Hearing on
Media Ownership
Monday, Apr. 30, Tampa, Fla.

http://www.stopbigmedia.com/=tampa

Tampa Speaks Out
OWNERSHIP HEARING 101:

Learn the FCC Basics
The FCC's rulemaking process and how you can make a difference.

What Should I Say?
Tips for testifying before the commissioners.

Four Points to Remember
Some important points to take to the hearings.

Read About the FCC's 'National Disgrace'
The FCC has abandoned its mandate to ensure diversity in U.S. media.

Recursos en Espanol

The FCC is holding its fourth official public hearing on media ownership issues in Tampa, Fla.:

Date: Monday, Apr. 30, 2007
Time: TBD (likely late afternoon)
Location: TBD

The hearing will feature panel presentations by local broadcasters and community leaders with opportunities for public comment after.

This public hearing is one of the public's few chances to speak out against Big Media before FCC Chairman Kevin Martin moves to lift the last significant limits to runaway media consolidation.

Martin has promised to "hold public hearings in diverse locations around the country to fully involve the American people" in the FCC's review of media ownership rules. The Tampa event will be the fourth of "half a dozen" proposed hearings.

At the first official hearing, held in Los Angeles, more than 1,000 members of the public attended and overwhelming expressed their opposition to any rule changes that would let Big Media companies swallow up more local outlets. Similar sentiments were expressed in Nashville and Harrisburg, Pa..

..

The F.C.C. wants to change the rules to let multibillion dollar media companies like News Corp, Viacom, Disney and Time Warner get even bigger. They're preparing to let giant media corporations buy up more local TV channels, radio stations and newspapers across America.

http://www.stopbigmedia.com/=fcc
Learn about the FCC's rules
..

The largest media conglomerates rake in billions by owning TV stations, cable channels, newspapers, radio stations, publishing houses and more.
Check out our interactive ownership chart
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/chart.php
What's at Stake
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/=learn

The Federal Communications Commission is once again taking up the issue of media ownership and deciding how media ownership rules should be changed. As FCC Commissioner Michael Copps has warned: "They screwed it up once. Believe me, they're 100 percent capable of screwing it up again."

That's why it's crucial for the public to weigh in now. Here's what's at stake:

* Big Media stifle viewpoints: If a corporation like News Corp. can buy multiple media outlets in a single city or town, it gains immense influence over what information is available. Consolidated corporations strip local newsrooms of staff, while pushing aside competing points of view. That means less diversity of voices and a narrower range of debate.

* Big Media don't serve local communities: In exchange for their free and exclusive use of the public airwaves, broadcasters such as Sinclair are supposed to serve the public interest. Yet they frequently ignore important local issues, pander to sensationalism, provide biased coverage of elections, and stifle diverse viewpoints.

* Big Media ignore diversity: Corporate media conglomerates like Tribune Company are more concerned with profits than responsible programming. Coverage of issues important to people of color, the working class and rural citizens are squelched or ignored because these people aren't advertisers' target audiences.

Without ownership limits, giant national corporations can buy up local stations and newspapers, eliminate diverse, local and independent programming. If the FCC is serious about fostering localism and diversity, it must enact protections against consolidated corporate ownership.

For decades, the biggest media companies have had the ear of the FCC and Congress, while the public has been ignored. As the FCC rewrites is ownership rules and Congress debates legislation that will shape the entire media system for years to come, it's time our policymakers listened to the public, not just the corporate lobbyists.
Costs of Consolidation
In 2003, the Federal Communications Commission attempted to loosen media ownership rules that would have unleashed a massive wave of corporate consolidation of radio, television and newspapers entities across the country.

The courts sent these rules back to the FCC for a rewrite. Now, as the FCC embarks upon writing new rules, the stakes are even higher:

* A handful of media companies dominate what you watch on television. As their influence spreads to other outlets, the diversity of what you see diminishes.

Five media conglomerates — Viacom/CBS, Disney, Time Warner, News Corp. and NBC/GE — control the big four networks, 80 percent of the primetime television market share, most cable channels, as well as vast holdings in radio, publishing, movie studios, music, Internet and other sectors. (To learn more, visit StopBigMedia.com's ownership charts)

Minority ownership — a crucial source of diverse and varied viewpoints -- has declined significantly over the past decade. Today, only 3.3% of television stations are minority-owned.

* Media conglomerates now stand to make incredible new profits from the public airwaves with no accountability to the public interest.

Over the next few years, television conglomerates will begin broadcasting digitally. This means that in the space it used to take to broadcast the local affiliate of ABC, NBC or CBS, these corporations will now be able to fit six or more stations — ABC-1, ABC-2, and so on. This opens up countless new revenue streams, and indeed, plans are already in the works to have infomercial-driven new channels pump up corporate profits.

The total worth of the publicly owned airwaves that U.S. broadcasters utilize has been valued at $367 billion -- more than the GDP of many nations — but the public has never been paid a dime in return. Now, these conglomerates claim they can't afford to be accountable to the public interest.

* Media consolidation has stifled independent voices and threatened public access to information.

Consolidation is killing local media choices. Since 1975, two-thirds of newspaper owners have disappeared, and one-third of television owners have vanished. There are less than 300 unique owners of the nation's 1,500 daily newspapers, and more than half of all U.S. markets are dominated by one paper.

Moreover, the number of radio station owners has plummeted by 35 percent since 1996, when ownership rules were gutted. That year, the largest radio owners controlled fewer than 65 stations; today, radio giant Clear Channel alone owns over 1,100.

* If the current ownership rules are eliminated, local communites will be turned into "company towns," where one media conglomerate dominates the public discourse.

Big Media wants the FCC to lift the restrictions on newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership and allow one company to own two or more television stations in a single market. If the rules are changed, the largest conglomerates will immediately begin swapping newspaper and television properties. Then the radio giants like Clear Channel will begin selling off their already consolidated radio holdings for billions to the other dominant companies, creating local and regional media fiefdoms.

If FCC Chairman Kevin Martin tries to push through changes similar to those rejected in 2003, one company could potentially own the major daily newspaper, eight radio stations and three television stations in the same town. Once the digital television transition is completed in 2009 – allowing stations to broadcast multiple signals – one company could control 12 or even 18 television channels in a single city.

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

what percentage....

H.P. Meow Meow Meow — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 00:29:21 GMT

....of your stuff was thrown out by somebody else? Almost all of my clothing did. I live in this building where people are constantly throwing out clothes -- it's amazing. I think I have a clothing fairy or angel or something, cuz I'm really short and it's hard to find pants in stores, but they just turn up by the recycle cans in my building. I have friends on a couple of other floors, and when they see small stuff, they bring it to me. I found a suave fake leather coat that went to a neighbor one floor up, glasses that went to another friend, tons of good clothing. Clothes from the trash may also seem to fit better, because I'm not fretting about what I paid for them. My couch was also tossed by somebody in my building. I only have a few pieces of furniture besides that -- the futon I bought, under which is a box spring I found, and some bookshelves I bought second hand for next to nothing. Yay my wasteful neighbors!

posted in dumpster diving - 12 replies

I'm not kidding!

Alyssum — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 04:31:37 GMT

Never fails, I go diving alone and fill my car with awesome, new, sometimes expensive, cool stuff. Someone hears about it, wants to join me, we go, and all we find is legitimate garbage. My boyfriend especially has started joking with me that the rad stuff I give him (which he knows I actually get from dumpsters and wouldn't or couldn't pay for otherwise) is actually stuff I've bought for him and tried to play off as being dumpster finds.

What a funny ironic thing to be kidded about.

"You're just trying to be cool, saying your a dumpster diver, but I know it's all pretend."
"No! I'm not kidding, I really did get this from a dumpster!"

Ha ha ha.

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

dumpster diving friends

jody — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 04:55:44 GMT

heh i after people to join me in dumpster diving in south east queensland. i have no real experience, but i am keen to hook up with either an experienced or inexperienced diver.

cheers thanks, and happy diving.

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Recyclable?

Arion — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 08:42:55 GMT

I scored a half-dozen Idaho potatoes today while looking through a cardboard recycling bin in search of cardboard boxes. Why they were in a cardboard bin, I don't know!

But, I washed them off, scrubbed them down, and cooked them up for supper, mashed with butter and sour cream. Delicious!

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

Disinfecting dumpstered produce: necessary?

Pampelmousse — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 09:13:43 GMT

hey yuall, im new to dumpstering though my roomates and friends do it all the time. tonite we scored a bunch of apples and tomatoes, but they were in a dumpster with all kinds of stuff, inclding raw meats(chicken). so my concern is that my bounty might be contaminated with stuff that could be bad. would a simple soap washing do, or should i disinfect wiht a bleach solution? would this harm the food? i figure theyve already been coated with wax, etc.. your opinions/expereince invited!

posted in dumpster diving - 21 replies

Rochester, NY Divers?

Christina — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:03:10 GMT

I'm new to this whole business (but poverty may keep me in the game for some time to come). I was wondering if there were any divers in Rochester that primarily sought out food? I'd love someone to go out with, for companionship and knowledge transfer. Let's Be Friends!

posted in dumpster diving - 0 replies

dumpster divers in vancouver?

icarusdajulian — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:10:51 GMT

hey, anyone here know or is someone in vnacouver who goes dumpstering, ???

if you are, lets collaborate and find some good stuff :P

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply

dumpster crew in ABQ

Lewy — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 07:53:32 GMT

Anyone in New Mexico, or in Albuquerque? If so lets get a crew together, it's a big town I am a little bored of going by myself. I got chased by a mean security guy with black pants tucked into his black miltary boots. Need a look out, plus my old crews in Philly and Tampa, don't want to live in New mexico, the bastards, so i want new ones. Possible ideas, like hitting all the bike shops in one night, hastings and of course only a couple months to the big college exit and there is always more than one person can handle. message me yo. Lewy

posted in dumpster diving - 1 reply