Tennessee Dumpster Diving (Is it Legal or Illegal 2024)

Dumpster diving in Tennessee might sound like a strange adventure, but it’s actually a fascinating way to discover hidden treasures and reduce waste. 

Imagine you’re a detective, searching through large dumpsters outside stores or apartment buildings. 

Instead of solving mysteries, you’re finding items that people have thrown away, but that can still be useful. 

From cool gadgets and clothes to perfectly good food, you never know what you might find. This activity isn’t just about getting free stuff; it’s also about being eco-friendly. 

So, in this article you’ll see the dumpster diving laws in Tennessee, whether it is legal or not. 

Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Tennessee

Dumpster diving in Tennessee is not illegal. In this state, you can legally search through dumpsters, but there are important rules you need to follow. 

First, you must respect trespassing laws and the policies of each city or municipality. 

If you dumpster dive without permission on private property, like businesses or private residences, you could be charged with trespassing. 

In most places in Tennessee, there are no specific laws against dumpster diving on public property, like garbage pickup areas on the curb. 

According to a major court case (California v. Greenwood), once something is thrown away in public dumpsters, the original owner doesn’t have rights to it anymore. 

However, if a dumpster is still inside private property, searching through it could lead to trespassing or theft charges. 

Also, if there’s a ‘No Trespassing’ sign and you still go dumpster diving, you could be in trouble.

It’s also important to avoid dumpster diving near gates, fences, or private property without the necessary permissions. 

While dumpster diving at night is legal in Tennessee, it can be riskier, especially in residential areas, as it might attract police attention or a larger crowd.

Dumpster Diving on Private vs Public Space

Public dumpster diving involves searching through dumpsters or trash bins located in public areas or spaces accessible to the general public.

In many places, dumpster diving in public spaces is legal. However, it’s important to check local laws as regulations can vary.

People often find discarded items like food, clothing, electronics, and books in public dumpsters.

Private dumpster diving refers to searching through dumpsters on private property, like behind stores or in private housing complexes.

Dumpster diving on private property can be illegal without permission from the property owner. It’s often considered trespassing.

Private dumpsters may contain similar items to public ones, but accessing them can be riskier due to legal issues.

Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in Tennessee?

As for dumpster diving at night, it’s also legal in Tennessee. The rules are the same whether you do it during the day or at night. 

But, diving into dumpsters late at night in residential areas might look suspicious and could lead to the police being called. 

Many dumpster divers prefer to go at night because it’s quieter and there are fewer people around.

Even though dumpster diving isn’t banned in Tennessee, some cities or towns might have their own rules. 

So, I would suggest you check the local laws in the area where you plan to dumpster dive.

So, if you are planning to dumpster dive at North Carolina, Walmart, Dollar General or Illinois; you should check these state laws before going to your hunt.

What’s the best time to go dumpster diving?

There isn’t a universally best time to go dumpster diving. It can vary from week to week. What works one week might not work the next. So, it’s a bit of a guessing game.

A good time to try dumpster diving is the day before the garbage is picked up. This is when people are most likely to throw away items they don’t need anymore.

Going a couple of hours after stores close can also be effective. This is especially true for stores that throw away items that are still in good condition.

To be successful, you need to do some research. Find out the garbage days and delivery days for the places you want to dive. 

You should also remember to check the local laws regarding dumpster diving. In some places, it might be illegal or restricted.

Best Places to go Dumpster Diving in Tennessee

Places like Farragut, Collierville, Germantown, Lookout Mountain, Owasso, Brentwood, Oak Hill, and Belle Meade are known for their wealth, making them great spots for dumpster diving.

With over 40 shopping centers and 3909 stores, these locations are hotspots for dumpster diving. You can find a variety of items, from unsold merchandise to gently used goods.

Bookstores, bakeries, cafes, toy stores, shopping complexes, and strip malls are particularly good for finding specific types of items, like books, baked goods, toys, and more.

How much Money Can You Make Dumpster Diving in Tennessee?

The amount you can earn from dumpster diving varies. Some people do it for recyclable items to sell, others for personal use items like food or groceries. 

Many divers find electronics, furniture, and books, which they then sell on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. 

According to interviews with eight full-time professional dumpster diving couples in Tennessee, it’s possible to make up to $3,500 per month if you dedicate full-time hours (40+ hours per week) to dumpster diving.

What is a Dumpster Diving Threat?

Dumpster diving, while often seen as a harmless activity for finding reusable items, can pose several threats. 

Diving into dumpsters can be dangerous. You might encounter broken glass, sharp metal objects, or even hazardous chemicals. 

There’s also the risk of coming into contact with biohazardous materials, which can cause serious health issues.

In some places, taking items from a dumpster is considered theft, even though the items have been thrown away. 

This means you could get into legal trouble for dumpster diving. Plus, dumpsters are usually on private property, so you could be accused of trespassing.

This is a big one. People sometimes throw away documents with personal information on them. 

If someone with bad intentions goes dumpster diving, they could find these documents and use them to steal someone’s identity. 

This means they could potentially access bank accounts, credit cards, and more.

Some dumpster divers look for receipts to commit return fraud. They find a receipt in the trash, then steal an item from a store and use the found receipt to return the item for cash. 

While dumpster diving can be seen as eco-friendly because it’s reusing items, it can also lead to sanitation issues. 

If divers don’t properly sort through and dispose of the items they don’t take, it can lead to littering and other environmental concerns.