Is Dumpster Diving Illegal In Alabama? Dumpster Diving Tips

Dumpster diving involves sifting through the commercial or residential dumps to look for items discarded by owners. The dumpster diver can search for ‘valuables’ in residential containers or small dumps. 

Norman Demeo, founder of Star Porta Potty Rentals, comments on a key safety concern related to this activity, “It’s important to remember that dumpsters are not just receptacles for everyday waste. They also serve crucial roles in contexts such as construction and outdoor events, where the discarded material can potentially be sharp or hazardous. As industry professionals, our team takes extensive precautions and uses specific gear to clean up these containers safely, a level of protection not usually available to the casual dumpster diver.”

Dumpster diving has different slang terms describing this action. For instance, curb shopping involves picking things along the curbs. Likewise, a dumpster diving in search of metal is scraping.

Stringent measures are active in many states. These states enforce the laws in how divers carry out their activities. Is dumpster diving illegal in Alabama? Click here to learn more. 

Is Dumpster Diving Illegal In Alabama?

Dumpster diving is legal in all 50 states. From this backdrop, it is evident that dumpster diving is legal in Alabama. One can dive into any waste provided it is within the public domain.

Despite dumpster diving being legal in Alabama, there are areas where certain rules apply. Confirm with your county or city laws. Also, be keen on what laws apply to the waste from restaurants and businesses.

Things To Consider Before Dumpster Diving

Albeit dumpster diving is legal in all the states, you need to beware of some things. Such include the laws and signs you must consider before going through someone’s trash. These factors will prevent you from being on the wrong side of the law.

1. Trespassing Laws

Your first step is to find a dumpster. Lots of stores have compactors rendering their dumpsters inaccessible. 

You don’t have to break the locks, as that is intentional trespassing. Instead, look for another dumpster, even if you’ll have to travel for miles.

Trespassing is a criminal offense in most states, including Alabama. Dumpster diving in a restricted zone will land you into trouble. You don’t have to jump over a private property’s fence to dumpster dive.

Most stores in Alabama have a specific region for dumpsters. These back areas are normally restricted. However, if the trash is in the public domain, you have all the rights to perform the dumpster dive. 

If you have to dumpster dive on private property, ensure that the owner permits you. Staying away will save you from potentially getting a ticket to jail.

2. What Local Law Applies?

The case of California versus Greenwood in 1998 ruled that dumpster diving is legal in public spaces. 

Additionally, dumpster diving is legal if it doesn’t undermine local laws. Confirm with the laws in your local street before diving into someone’s trash.

Performing proper research about the laws in your city or country will point you in the right direction. The research is important, especially since it varies from state to state.

Knowing the law will familiarize you with the ordinances you have to follow. It is crucial to know what you’re up against to defend yourself when confronted by store employees.

Moreover, a proper grasp of the law will help you understand what you’re up to. It is crucial, especially when planning dumpster diving in illegal places.

What regions are public domains? When you find trash on the driveway, it’s legal to search it. Moreover, trash on a curb that trash collectors are yet to pick is also within the public space. The fourth amendment doesn’t apply in such areas.

Anyone can search for the trash that is in a public space. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a detective investigating a crime, a neighbor, or a stranger. You can search for trash from restaurants, pawnshops, or domestic trash.

3. Disorderly Dumpster Diving

It would be best to be careful with handling trash in a public space. Intentional littering around the dumpster is not advisable. A concerned individual may rightfully file a complaint if your action seems inappropriate. 

Laying items around during your sorting action may attract fines. You should, therefore, be orderly when dumpster diving. 

At times, the feds may be performing an investigation. As a requirement, there may be signage denying access to the trash. 

Therefore, be mindful of the signs and labels on dumpsters lest you get on the wrong side of the law.

You also need not meddle with dumpsters bearing locks. This act is outright illegal and may result in fines, or the police may arrest you. Tampering with dumpsters may compel the businesses to prosecute you in a court of law.

4. Take Responsibility Of Your Action

Turning trash is a good form of recycling, and most business owners are okay with that. However, what you do with their waste may be of concern to them. Use their waste products in a way that won’t make them liable afterward. 

Also, it would help if you were careful with how you handle the trash. It would help if you did it in an orderly manner that doesn’t litter the place. Moreover, be careful not to hurt yourself in the process. 

If the constituents of the dumpster make you sick, the business won’t be liable. However, you can consult your injury attorney if the injury is quite significant. Ultimately, you can file a lawsuit if you think the trash may be detrimental to others.

Alternatively, you can accept the consequences of your risks. Moreover, it would help to be extra careful next time to prevent unforeseen accidents. 

You should also note that the business owners may prosecute you. They may opt for this move if they catch you dumpster diving. To be on the safe side, consult your local authorities. 

You can inform them of your dumpster diving motives. Doing this will ensure that you’re safe in case anything goes south. 

5. Get Some Tools

Dumpster diving isn’t a total walk in the park. You’ll need some tools that will make your diving easier. More so, select tools that will protect you as you flip the lids of dumpsters.

First, you’ll need a good pair of gloves. It is important to have access to several gloves if you’re up for consistent dumpster diving. It will prevent you from contracting disease-causing germs.

You’ll also need some sturdy totes. You can make do with a cardboard or a plastic torte when starting. Large grocery bags will also help you in storing the items you pick. 

Additionally, it would help if you got a step ladder. Step ladders come in handy in situations where the dumpster is quite higher.

Best Places To Dumpster Dive

Dumpster diving is one of the great ways of acquiring items. As you’re aware, not every dumpster contains relevant items. Below are some places you can dumpster dive and acquire worthwhile drops. 

1. Banks

Dumpster diving at the banks can be risky. It is one of the less explored areas. However, dumpster diving in banking areas will surely pay off. Although not often, you can stumble upon many valuables, including money. 

Loads of change and foreign currencies are in the bank’s waste. It would be best to be careful when dumpster diving in the banking area. Don’t do anything that may prompt the guards to alert the police. 

If you’re going dumpster diving late into the night, don’t get too close to the bank premises. You don’t want to look like a low-budget burglar trying to rob the place.

2. Fashion Store Front

This tip goes for any shoe or apparel store in Alabama. It is one of the places you can find that lucrative merchandise that goes for premium prices. You can find the coveted Air Jordans in these dumpsters. 

Sometimes the fashion stores may have excess supplies. This excess results from overstocking and merchandise that customers return. The stores will then put these merchandise in dumpsters.

One thing to note about top fashion brands is that you won’t find merchandise in good shape. You’ll find incisions and cuts in their shoes and clothes. Therefore, you’ll need to spend some cash upfront to patch them up before rocking them. 

3. Game Stop

The game spot is huge, and many dumpster divers consider it one of their favorites. You’ll always find free games, game stickers, and ultimately free X box and PlayStation games.

Game Stop is the place to go if you’re a games fanatic. Aside from games and gaming consoles, you’ll find other gaming sets that’ll improve your gaming ergonomics. 

The employees at GameStop can’t take home any of the gaming merchandise at home. So basically, everything is up for grabs, and as you can see, they’re pretty insane stuff.

4. Apple Store

Apple stores dispose of lots of high-end electronics. These items range from iPhones, iPods, Apple Watches, and other classy Apple products.

Apple is a wealthy company and can afford to get rid of these products. The products disposed of may lack the quality necessary to penetrate the market. As you know, Apple prioritizes quality in its products and nothing less.

Conclusion

Dumpster diving is legal in Alabama. Therefore, you can pick up valuable items from the dumpsters without worrying about breaking the law.

It would be best to learn the laws and ordinances that apply in different cities of Alabama. This knowledge will save you from lawsuits and other dire consequences.

This post covers the tips for new dumpster divers. It also recommends some places to perform dumpster diving and valuable items you can find.