Dumpster Diving

In preface, over the last few weeks I have gleaned some remarkable trasures. Coincidentally, all but a few of these treasures came from a large metal container behind a thrift store. So far the list includes: 6 bikes, 1 wheel chair, 2 mirrors, 3 crab traps, 1 aquarium, 1 pair of dress pants, a kayak spray skirt, a dish rack, a dresser, a coffee table, and a few other odds and ends.



First, here is a nice How To on dumpster diving
http://www.wikihow.com/Dumpster-Dive


Second, I am not convinced that dumpster diving is illegal, but this blog cites some relevent law.


When I introduce friends to the pleasures of the dive, everyone will sooner or later ask is this really legal? I am, as the obligatory disclaimer goes, no lawyer, but to the best of my knowledge, the answer is Well, mostly, yes. Oregon state law prohibits the removal of recyclable materials from collection containers (ORS 459A.080), and recyclable material is defined as any material or group of materials that can be collected and sold for recycling at a net cost equal to or less than the cost of collection and disposal of the same material (ORS 459.005, paragraph 19). The intent of the law is clearly to keep scavengers from highgrading recyclables—from which the hauler can sometimes realize a profit—out of their presorted containers. Retrieving garbage, which costs money at all phases of disposal, would appear to be well outside the scope of this law. I'm not aware of any equivalent statute that applies to solid waste.
http://bodger.org/dumpster


And last, here are some people who want to go "skip diving" as well.
http://dumpsterdiving.meetup.com/cities/us/or/portland/