Dumpster Diving in Alabama: A Comprehensive Guide

If you are wondering where should you start your dumpster diving journey in Alabama, you’ve come to the right place. Understanding the laws and regulations in your state is a smart place to start. We’ll go over a range of trash diving tactics and laws in Alabama in this detailed guide. Along the way, I’ll give you some pointers on how to make the most of your treasure hunting quest.

Dumpster Diving in Alabama

The Cotton State is one of the most popular dumpster diving destinations in the country, with 21 shopping malls and complexes. The good news is that there are 2140 stores in these retail centers and malls. Dumpster diving is also common in more affluent Alabama communities such as Spanish Fort, Homewood, Helena, Chelsea, Madison, Trussville, and Pike Road. As a result, Alabama has it all, whether you want to go trash diving in affluent neighborhoods or shop at malls and retail stores.

Related: Dumpster Diving in Arkansas: A Comprehensive Guide

Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Alabama?

Dumpster diving is not prohibited in the state of Alabama. In reality, dumpster diving is entirely legal in California. You must, however, respect your state’s trespassing laws as well as the city or municipality’s policies and statutes. Dumpster diving without permission may result in trespassing fines in Alabama, as every firm and private dwelling is considered private property.

In the majority of Alabama cities, there are no laws prohibiting you from diving into dumpsters on public property, such as garbage pickup curbs.

A person or organization has effectively surrendered ownership rights to goods placed in public dumpsters across the country, according to the historic United States Supreme Court case California v. Greenwood.

You could be charged with trespass or theft if you try to search through the dumpster while it is still inside a private house in Alabama. If you approach private property to try dumpster diving despite a clearly visible ‘No Trespassing’ sign, you could be charged with trespassing, and the business in Alabama has the power to permanently ban you from their premises. Disorderly conduct, illegal dumping, and littering are all charges that could be brought against you.

As a result, if you need to access a gate, fence, or private property, you should think carefully about trash diving near one. Those aren’t the best places in Alabama to go trash diving, especially if you don’t have all of the appropriate permits and licenses.

Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in Alabama?

In Alabama, dumpster diving at night is legal. In reality, the limits are the same whether you dive dumpsters during the day or at night. Trash scavenging in residential districts at night, on the other hand, appears to be quite risky. A police officer may be sent to your location. In addition, trash diving late at night in Alabama attracts a much larger crowd. Because they prefer seclusion, most dumpster divers prefer to go dumpster diving at night. Dumpster diving in Alabama, in my opinion, is best done early in the morning or shortly after dusk.

Best places to go dumpster diving in Alabama

There are thousands of wonderful dumpster diving places in Alabama. However, I’ve produced a list of the top areas to start trash diving and earning money in Alabama.

  1. Garage Sales
  2. Parks
  3. Electronic Stores
  4. Hardware Stores
  5. Cosmetic Shops
  6. Grocery Stores
Related: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?

How much money can you make dumpster diving in Alabama?

A number of factors influence the answer to this question. In Alabama, many people go trash diving in order to find recyclable items to sell and profit from. Others may want to start garbage diving to get food or groceries for personal consumption. Many people rummage through dumpsters in search of electronics, toys, books, and furniture to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Dumpster diving as a full-time job will be extremely difficult to maintain in Alabama. I’m not denying that that may happen. After only two years of garbage diving as a side profession, this dumpster diving mama earns over $1,000 per week and has millions of views. It demonstrates that it is possible, but if you want to make a life dumpster diving in Alabama, you must devote yourself full-time.

So, how much money can you make trash diving in Alabama? We chatted with ten full-time professional trash divers from Alabama. They all agreed that working full-time as a garbage diver in Alabama could pay up to $1600 per week. (Must work a minimum of 40 hours each week)

Final Thoughts

Dumpster diving is not illegal in Alabama. However, your city or county may have laws that prohibit trash diving. As a result, double-check each municipality’s city code, which can be found for free online. Follow Alabama’s “Trespass after Warning” statute, as well as municipal ordinances and common sense.

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