You’ve come to the right site if you’re looking for a guide to help you get started dumpster diving in Delaware. Well! Understanding your state’s rules and regulations is an excellent place to start. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over a variety of trash diving techniques as well as Delaware’s legislation on this side hustle. Along the way, I’ll give you some pointers on how to make the most of your treasure quest.
Dumpster Diving in Delaware
With 3 shopping facilities and tens of thousands of residential units, the Blue Hen State is one of the most popular trash diving sites in the country. The good news is that these shopping centers and malls contain 354 stores. Dumpster diving is prevalent in wealthy Delaware cities such as Greenville, Henlopen Acres, South Bethany, Dewey Beach, Fenwick Island, and Hockessin. As a result, whether you want to go trash diving in affluent neighborhoods or at shopping malls and retail stores, Delaware offers it all.
Read More: Dumpster Diving in Maryland: A Comprehensive Guide
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Delaware?
There are no regulations prohibiting garbage diving in Delaware. In fact, dumpster diving is entirely legal in this state. You must, however, adhere to your state’s trespassing laws as well as the city or municipality’s policies and statutes. You risk being prosecuted for trespassing if you go trash diving without permission in Delaware, as every business and private dwelling is considered private property.
Most Delaware communities have no laws prohibiting you from diving into dumpsters on public property, such as garbage pickup curbs.
A person or organization has effectively abandoned ownership rights to any rubbish left in public dumpsters across the country, according to the historic United States Supreme Court case California v. Greenwood.
If you try to search through the dumpster while it is still inside a private residence in Delaware, you could be prosecuted with trespass or theft. You could be prosecuted with trespassing if you approach private property to try dumpster diving despite a clearly visible ‘No Trespassing’ sign, and the business in Delaware has the right to permanently exclude you from their premises. Disorderly behavior, illegal dumping, and littering are just a few of the charges that could be brought against you.
As a result, if you need to enter a gate, fence, or private property, you should avoid trash diving near one. These aren’t the best places to go trash diving in Delaware if you don’t have all of the necessary permissions and approvals.
Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in Delaware?
In Delaware, dumpster diving at night is entirely legal. In reality, the limits are the same whether you dive dumpsters during the day or at night. Trash scavenging in residential neighborhoods late at night, on the other hand, appears to be risky. It’s possible that a police officer will be dispatched to your location. Furthermore, trash diving late at night in Delaware attracts a much larger crowd. Because they prefer seclusion, most dumpster divers prefer to go dumpster diving at night. Dumpster diving in Delaware, in my opinion, is best done early in the morning or late at night.
Best places to go dumpster diving in Delaware
Delaware offers thousands of excellent dumpster diving sites across the state. However, I have filtered and listed some of the best spots you can start your trash diving quest in the state of Delaware.
- Garage and Yard Sales
- Apartments
- Shopping Malls
- Cosmetic Stores
- Grocery Stores
- Hardware Shops
Read More: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?
How much money can you make dumpster diving in Delaware?
Several factors influence how much money you can make dumpster diving in Delaware. Some dumpster divers go dumpster diving solely for the purpose of finding recyclable items to sell and profit from. Others may wish to begin garbage diving in order to obtain food or groceries for personal consumption. Many dumpster divers go in search of electronics, furniture, and books to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
Garbage diving as a full-time job will be difficult to sustain in Delaware. I’m not saying it’s impossible. Dumpster diving is a side hustle for this New York couple that earns them over $3000 per month. It demonstrates that it is feasible; however, if you want to make a living dumpster diving in Delaware, you must devote your entire time to the activity.
So, how much money can you make trash diving in Delaware? Well! In Delaware, we spoke with five full-time garbage diving couples. They all agreed that trash diving in Delaware can pay up to $3700 per month if you devote full-time hours (40+ hours per week).
Final Thoughts
In the state of Delaware, dumpster diving is not illegal. Dumpster diving, on the other hand, might be illegal in your city or county. As a result, double-check each municipality’s city code, which can be found on the internet. Proceed with caution, keeping in mind Delaware’s “Trespass after Notice” law and municipal boundaries.
