Wondering the best stores for dumpster diving in 2023? You’ve come to the right place.
Dumpster diving is the act of salvaging the waste from the dumpsters and hunting for items that still have some value to it. People used to dumpster dive solely to find free stuff for personal use. However, the time is changing and now dumpster diving has become a way to make extra income on the side.
Dumpster diving has its own risks and benefits. It is surely not for someone with a faint heart. It’s a risk – but you can reap big rewards if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and try out your luck.
If you are a beginner dumpster diver, retail stores are one of the best places to start your treasure hunting adventure. It is less risky and rewards can be really good for the amount of work you put out.
Without further ado, I present to you the 10 best retail stores for dumpster diving in 2023.
1. Ulta Beauty
If you are a beauty or makeup fanatic, Ulta stores should be at top of the list for your next dumpster diving quest. You can find all sorts of cosmetics, makeup, and fragrances while dumpster diving at Ulta.
You can either use the products yourself or sell them on eBay or Facebook Marketplace for lucrative cash. One of the great things I like about dumpster diving at beauty stores like Ulta is that cosmetic products usually have a longer expiry date and it is really easy to flip these items online for cash.
If you are lucky and got some experience, you can easily salvage $1500 worth of items from the dumpsters of Ulta every month.
2. Best Buy
If you are not into beauty and makeup products, I highly recommend you start your dumpster diving adventure at Best Buy stores. Whether you are dumpster diving to make some quick bucks or looking for free stuff for your personal use, electronics and gadgets are always the best options. They do not only retain high resale value but also are really easier to sell in online domains.
The dumpsters of Best Buy could be filled with every type of electronic gadget you could think of. This makes Best Buy a great place to go dumpster diving if you want to find a variety of electronic gadgets or accessories.
If you are experienced and got some luck on your side, you should usually be able to salvage $2000 worth of items from Best Buy’s dumpsters per month.
3. Bath and Body Works
Fragrances, candles, skincare, and body care products are usual suspects at Bath and Body Work’s dumpsters. Bath and Body Work usually throws away all the returns with damaged packaging, so their dumpsters are rarely empty and there is always a chance you get your hands on a huge find.
You can either use the findings yourself or sell them online since they retain their value pretty easily. If you are in luck, you can easily score items worth $1500 monthly from Bath and Body works dumpsters.
4. Walmart
Walmart is one of the best places to go dumpster diving as a beginner. You can find a variety of unexpected things in the dumpsters of Walmart. Dumpster diving at Walmart is great for finding free items like clothing and accessories, furniture(especially tables and chairs), and even electronics.
The thing about dumpster diving at Walmart is that the items you find in the dumpsters are great for personal use but not so good for resale.
Another good news about dumpster diving at Walmart is that the dumpsters are never empty. The employees are constantly restocking shelves and all the waste is sent straight to the dumpsters.
If you are experienced and got some luck on your side, you should usually be able to salvage $800 worth of items from Walmart’s dumpsters every month.
5. Costco
Costco is one of the largest American Multinational Corporations operating a chain of membership-only wholesale-priced retail stores.
Before jumping into a dumpster in Costco, be sure you know exactly what you’re searching for and that you’ll be able to use it or sell it. Check the trash cans inside the locations and near the front of Costco as well; managers regularly throw items they believe are unsalvageable rather than waiting for a waste company to take them up.
Always be cautious while dumpster diving at Costco. Some items that are frequently thrown, such as foams of any kind, beverages (even bottled water), and edibles may not be safe to consume or handle. You may also check for containers at your local large box store; these containers are well worth picking up.
6. Gamestop
Video games and consoles are always great options, whether you are dumpster diving for a quick buck or for personal entertainment. In the dumpster diving industry, video games are regarded as highly valuable commodities. This makes dumpster diving at Gamestop a highly lucrative prospect.
You can easily salvage items worth more than $1200 every month from dumpsters of Gamestop if you have a bit of luck and experience on your side.
7. PetSmart
Pet products have become some of the most expensive products in recent times. If you have a pet in your household, there is no better place to dumpster dive than a PetSmart. Since all the products you’ll find in PetSmart dumpsters are related to pets, there will be no re-sale value on them. However, you can save a lot of money by utilizing the finds for your own pets.
8. Target
Target dumpster diving is always an adventure. You never know what you’ll come across. As a result, Target is one of the finest sites for a beginner to go trash diving. Target’s dumpsters include a wide assortment of unexpected items.
Dumpster diving at Target is a great way to collect free apparel and accessories, as well as furniture (particularly tables and chairs) and electronics. Most Target locations, however, do not have an exterior dumpster. They have a trash compactor that is located within the building and is not open to the public. And anything they can recover is sold to other resale shops. So, for the most part, nothing is actually available to explore.
9. Sephora
Sephora stores should be at the top of your list for your next dumpster diving expedition if you are a beauty or makeup addict. When dumpster diving at Sephora, you can find all kinds of cosmetics, makeup, and fragrances.
You may either utilize the products yourself or sell them for a profit on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. One of the things I appreciate about dumpster diving at beauty stores like Ulta and Sephora is that cosmetics usually have a longer expiration date, making it easy to sell them online for cash.
Every month, if you’re lucky and have some experience, you can easily retrieve $1400 worth of waste from Sephora’s dumpsters.
10. Dollar General
Dollar general is yet another fantastic store for dumpster diving fanatics. It is a wild adventure because you never know what you’ll find. Although you can’t make money flipping dumpster dive finds from Dollar General, it is a great place to learn and gain experience for better dumpster diving adventures.
Dollar General usually has the dumpster back of the property, so please make sure you read the signs and understand your state’s law before diving into Dollar General dumpsters.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, dumpster diving has become a popular way to make extra income on the side or find free stuff for personal use. Retail stores are an excellent starting point for beginners as they are less risky and rewards can be good for the amount of work you put in.
Ulta, Best Buy, Bath and Body Works, Walmart, Costco, Gamestop, PetSmart, and Target are some of the best retail stores for dumpster diving in 2023.
While dumpster diving has its own risks, it can be highly lucrative for those who are willing to get their hands dirty and try their luck. With the right amount of experience and luck, you can salvage items worth thousands of dollars from these retail stores every month.
