Whether you are a rookie or a veteran dumpster diver, a comprehensive guide on dumpster diving at your local Aldi store always comes in handy. And I would like to present you with one. In this article, we will discuss all the legalities, and strategies and also highlight some expert suggestions and tactics in order to make the most out of your next dumpster diving quest at Aldi. Without wasting much of your time, let’s get straight to the point.
Dumpster Diving at Aldi
Aldi is a common German-based discount supermarket, with over 10,000 stores worldwide. They sell everything from household products to gadgets and toys, as well as a vast range of food and other pet items. Furthermore, Aldi tailors the assortment of each of its stores to the community and local customers. This makes Aldi dumpster diving a superb experience in and of itself, as you never know what you’ll find in their dumpsters.
Customer happiness is frequently the key to this retail behemoth’s success. And, as we all know, giving a superior return and refund policy is one of the best methods to gratify customers. Most items sold by Aldi come with Twice and Nice Guarantee, according to Aldi’s return policy. This means, except for alcohol products, all the items will be guaranteed a refund or return if you do not like them. If you’re wondering what happens to broken packaging and returned merchandise, the majority of it ends up in the dumpster. Dumpster diving at Aldi is a fantastic experience because of this. Aldi’s dumpsters frequently contain fully-functional products with damaged packaging alongside fresh food and bakery items.
Aldi mostly operates its stores in two ways. The majority of their stores are standalone, while some are located within a mall or shopping complex. If your local Aldi store is located inside a shopping complex or mall, finding and diving into their dumpsters will be quite difficult. If your Aldi store is a standalone location, the dumpster is normally placed towards the back of the property.
Related: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?
Is it illegal to Dumpster Dive at Aldi?
Although dumpster diving will not be entertained on Aldi’s premises, it is not illegal. When dumpster diving at Aldi, bear in mind that the majority of Aldi sites are considered private property. This means they could trespass on you if they don’t like you being in their store.
As a result, always check for trespassing restriction signs that are clearly visible in the Aldi store. If you don’t see such a sign, it’s a green light. If, on the other hand, you went into Aldi’s dumpster despite the No Trespassing sign, you could be punished with trespassing. This could result in a permanent ban. In the worst-case situation, you could also be charged with disorderly conduct, illegal dumping, and other offenses.
As a result, if you’re dumpster diving at Aldo and someone from management asks you to leave, you must obey their request and leave right away.
I also recommend that you understand the dumpster diving guidelines and restrictions in your jurisdiction and/or state. This will ensure that you don’t breach any laws while dumpster diving at your neighborhood Aldi. You may look up the law in your state using the search box below.
What is the best time to Dumpster Dive at Aldi?
Aldi locations are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the most part. As a result, the best times to go dumpster diving at Aldi are either shortly before the shop opens or right after the store closes. There are fewer personnel working at this time, therefore the odds of disturbance are low. Furthermore, several Aldi employees indicate that they refill the shelves almost every day of the week. Restocking takes place either before or after 8 a.m. Some of the things that are not sold during the replenishing of shelves are discarded in dumpsters or compactors.
Weekends are also great days for raiding the Aldi’s trash. Aldi expects a higher amount of returns and refunds on weekends since the store is busiest then. On weekends, you may expect to see a lot of returned products at Aldi’s dumpsters, as we know Aldi discards returns with altered packaging.
What to look for while Dumpster Diving at Aldi?
The items you should look out for while trash diving at Aldi is largely determined by your needs. Some people go Aldi garbage diving with the aim of selling electronics and other household gear, found in their dumpsters. While some people are looking for these products for personal use, others are looking for them for commercial purposes.
In general, scan for merchandise that has either a high resale value or some practical application for you. When dumpster diving at Aldi, groceries, bread and cakes, pet products, chocolates, and simple electronics are all considered treasures.
Does Aldi throw away groceries?
Yes, it may sound weird but Aldi does actually throw away a lot of groceries in the dumpsters. If a certain grocery item is not selling or is about to go bad, the employees have no option but to chuck them in the dumpsters. Furthermore, if any particular product is returned by a customer but the packaging is damaged, it will, too, find its way to Aldi dumpsters.
How much money can you make from Dumpster Diving at Aldi?
To be honest, there are a lot of better stores to go to for dumpster diving if your intention is purely making money. Dumpster diving at Aldi is great for finding food or food products that are in great condition. This is not to say that dumpster diving at Aldi does not make you any money. We surveyed 10 full-time trash divers from Kansas, and the results were surprising, to say the least. According to our survey, these dumpster divers were making an average of $136.86 per week from Aldi alone. This is not a lot of money but the amount of money you’ll be saving on food will definitely be worth it.
All in all, dumpster diving at Aldi is a great way to get some extra cash and free food, provided you don’t mind getting your hands dirty. However, if you’re just getting started, dumpster diving at Aldi might not be enough to replace your full-time job. Stores like Best Buy, Target, and Gamestop are great for making a nice income. As a result, I strongly advocate starting dumpster diving as a side hustle. Once you’ve developed enough experience and are earning a nice and consistent income, you might choose to consider dumpster diving full-time at better stores.
Final Thoughts
When dumpster diving at Aldi, always be cautious. Avoid beverages because they are generally expired or old. When diving into dumpsters, wear long-sleeved clothing and keep an eye out for shattered glasses or rusted iron. Furthermore, disinfect an object thoroughly even if it appears to be clean. Always remember that if someone from management orders you to leave, you should leave right away. Not only will having a plan and approach in place save you time, but it will also make your Aldi trash diving more productive.
