Where should you begin your Louisiana dumpster diving adventure? Well! Understanding your state’s laws and regulations is a good place to start. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over a variety of trash diving strategies and rules in Louisiana. I’ll also give you some tips along the way on how to make the most of your treasure hunt.
Dumpster Diving in Louisiana
With 61 shopping malls and complexes, the Pelican State is one of the most popular dumpster diving sites in the country. The good news is that these retail centers and malls have 1529 stores. In more affluent Louisiana communities including Zachary, Mandeville, Youngsville, Covington, Broussard, and Addis, dumpster diving is also common. As a result, whether you want to go trash diving in affluent neighborhoods or buy at malls and retail stores, Louisiana has it all.
Related: Dumpster Diving in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, dumpster diving is not illegal. Dumpster diving is, in fact, perfectly permitted in this state. You must, however, follow your state’s trespassing laws as well as the ordinances and statutes of the city or municipality. In Louisiana, trespassing tickets can be issued for dumpster diving without authorization, as every company and private dwelling is considered private property.
There are no regulations forbidding you from diving into dumpsters on public property, such as garbage pickup curbs, in most Louisiana cities.
According to the famous United States Supreme Court case California v. Greenwood, a person or business has effectively renounced ownership rights to objects placed in public dumpsters across the country.
If you try to search through the dumpster while it is still inside a private residence in Louisiana, you could be prosecuted with trespass or theft. You may be prosecuted with trespassing if you enter private property to try dumpster diving despite a clearly visible ‘No Trespassing’ sign, and the business in Louisiana has the ability to permanently prohibit you from their premises. Disorderly behavior, illegal dumping, and littering are all possible charges.
As a result, you should think twice about trash diving near a fence, a gate, or private property if you need to open one. Those aren’t the finest spots to go trash diving in Louisiana, particularly if you don’t have all of the necessary permissions and licenses.
Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in Louisiana?
Dumpster diving at night is legal in Louisiana. In actuality, whether you dive dumpsters during the day or at night, the constraints remain the same. On the other hand, trash foraging in residential neighborhoods at night appears to be exceedingly dangerous. A police officer may be dispatched to your area. Furthermore, trash diving late at night in Louisiana attracts considerably larger competition. Most dumpster divers like to go dumpster diving at night because they seek privacy. In my opinion, dumpster diving in Louisiana is best done early in the morning or just after sunset.
Best places to go dumpster diving in Louisiana
In Louisiana, there are thousands of great dumpster diving spots. However, I’ve compiled a list of the best places in Louisiana to begin dumpster diving and earning money.
- Construction Sites
- Shopping Malls
- Electronic Stores
- Garage Sales
- Cosmetic Stores
- Bakeries and Cafes
Related: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?
How much money can you make dumpster diving in Louisiana?
The answer to this question is influenced by a variety of things. Many people in Louisiana go trash diving in order to find recyclable stuff to sell and profit from. Others may wish to begin garbage diving in order to obtain food or groceries for personal use. Many individuals dumpster dive for electronics, gadgets, books, and furniture to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
In Louisiana, dumpster diving as a full-time job will be incredibly tough to maintain. I’m not saying it can’t happen. This dumpster diving mama earns over $1,000 per week and has millions of views after only two years of dumpster diving as a side job. It proves that it is doable, but if you want to make a living in Louisiana through dumpster diving, you must devote yourself full-time.
So, how much money can you make in Louisiana trash diving? Seven full-time professional trash divers from Louisiana spoke with us. Working full-time as a garbage diver in Louisiana may pay up to $1800 per week, they all agreed. (Must put in at least 40 hours every week)
Final Thoughts
Dumpster diving is not unlawful in Louisiana. However, your city or county may have regulations preventing trash diving. As a result, make sure you double-check each municipality’s city code, which you can easily find online. Follow the “Trespass after Warning” statute in Louisiana, as well as municipal ordinances and some common sense.
