Dumpster Diving At Burlington Coat Factory (Guide)

Dumpster diving at Burlington Coat Factory reveals a fascinating, often overlooked aspect of consumer culture.

This practice, though unconventional, provides a unique window into the world of retail waste and consumerism, unveiling the vast amount of products that are discarded daily.

Engaging in dumpster diving at Burlington Coat Factory might not only yield surprisingly valuable finds but also spark insightful conversations about sustainable consumption and waste management.

Dumpster Diving At Burlington Coat Factory

Burlington Coat Factory, known simply as Burlington, is a national off-price retailer offering high-quality and name-brand merchandise at significantly reduced prices.

The company boasts a wide variety of goods, including women’s ready-to-wear, menswear, youth apparel, baby products, footwear, accessories, home decor, and coats.

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in New Jersey, Burlington has grown from a single store to a retail powerhouse with over 700 locations across the United States.

While dumpster diving at Burlington Coat Factory is an activity that has gained some attention.

According to the EPA, Americans generate about 292.4 million tons of waste annually, with approximately 69 million tons of this waste being recycled and 25 million tons composted.

Interestingly, retail stores like Burlington Coat Factory contribute substantially to this waste generation, discarding unsold or slightly damaged goods.

Is It Illegal to Dumpster Dive at Burlington Coat Factory?

Dumpster diving laws greatly depend on your location. In the United States, it can often be considered legal due to a 1988 Supreme Court Ruling (California vs. Greenwood).

Which states that the “expectation of privacy in trash left for collection in an area accessible to the public… is unreasonable.”

However, this ruling does not override local ordinances or state laws.

However, diving into dumpsters located on private property, like Burlington Coat Factory, could potentially be considered trespassing.

Therefore, even though the act of dumpster diving itself may not be illegal, the act of trespassing is.

What Is The Best Time to Dumpster Dive at Burlington Coat Factory?

If you are considering dumpster diving at Burlington Coat Factory for discarded items, the best time would be early in the morning, around 7-8 AM, before the store opens.

This is typically when businesses dispose of excess stock to make room for new shipments, which usually arrive during or just after regular business hours.

Tuesdays can be a particularly fruitful day as many retailers receive their largest shipments at the start of the week.

What to Look for While Dumpster Diving at Burlington Coat Factory?

When embarking on a dumpster diving endeavor at Burlington Coat Factory, you should keep a few key things in mind.

First and foremost, always adhere to local laws and regulations; dumpster diving legality varies significantly.

Only attempt this activity during store hours to avoid trespassing.

Burlington Coat Factory often discards items that are slightly damaged or out-of-season.

Hence, you may find clothing articles, accessories, or home goods, which, with a little TLC, could be as good as new.

Often, stores have to create space for new merchandise, resulting in the disposal of perfectly fine goods that went unsold. Be on the lookout for these hidden gems.

Occasionally, you’ll stumble upon cosmetic items or perfumes in dumpsters. Remember to check expiry dates and packaging integrity before use.

Burlington Coat Factory also sells non-fashion items like home decor, kitchen gadgets, and toys. These can be valuable finds if they are in good condition.

So here is the list of things to look at while diving:

• Clothing items with minor defects or damages.
• Accessories like belts, scarves, and hats.
• Shoes with slight imperfections.
• Home goods and decor.
• Returned items in good condition.
• Seasonal merchandise post-holiday or season.
• Beauty products and cosmetics.
• Jewelry and watches.
• Handbags and wallets.
• Children’s clothing and toys.
• Bedding and linens.
• Overstock items.
• Store fixtures and displays.
• Electronics and gadgets.
• Gift items and novelty products.

Does Burlington Coat Factory Throw Blankets?

While it’s a common misconception that retail stores like Burlington Coat Factory routinely throw away unsold blankets, this is generally not the case.

Burlington, known for its variety of coats and home décor items, including blankets, has a policy in place for managing its unsold inventory.

They typically mark down prices of these items to clear stock, and any items that are still unsold often get donated to charitable organizations.

Does Burlington Coat Factory Throw Pillows?

Burlington Coat Factory, like many retail businesses, does its utmost to manage inventory in a responsible and economical manner.

While there’s no public data specifically about Burlington’s practices with unsold pillows, it’s common in the retail industry to first mark down prices or donate unsold items to charity.

According to the NRF, in 2015, the retail industry as a whole donated about 15.3 billion pounds of products.

It’s also becoming increasingly common for companies to recycle or repurpose unsold stock, given the growing emphasis on sustainable business practices.

Does Burlington Coat Factory Throw Away Returns?

Burlington Coat Factory is a well-respected retailer known for its stringent return policy.

It’s common practice among large retail chains not to simply discard returned items, especially if they’re in resalable condition.

The company, which boasted $6.67 billion in sales in 2019, has a vested interest in minimizing waste to maintain profitability.

Returned goods, depending on their condition, may be restocked, sold at a discount, or donated to charity.

So, if you are planning to dumpster diving at Ace Hardware, Whole Foods, Advance Auto Parts, or Menards; first you should check the state laws before going to your hunt.

How Much I Can Earn From Dumpster Diving at Burlington Coat Factory?

Those who partake in dumpster diving at retail stores such as Burlington Coat Factory have reported varying levels of success.

Much of the success depends on factors like location, frequency of diving, and pure luck.

On a good day, divers have reported finding items like clothes, shoes, and household goods worth anywhere from $50 to $200 at retail price, which, when sold at a lower, second-hand price, could fetch about 50% of the original value.

Considering someone diving consistently, let’s say 4 times a week, they could potentially make around $400 to $800 per month.

However, these figures can fluctuate greatly. Also, bear in mind that the condition and salability of the found items play a significant role in their resale value.

However, dumpster diving should not be viewed as a reliable source of income but rather as a way to potentially find useful items and, in the process, reduce waste.