Dumpster Diving in Maine: A Comprehensive Guide

You’ve come to the right site if you’re looking for a guide to help you get started dumpster diving in Maine. Well! Understanding your state’s rules and regulations is a great place to start. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over a variety of trash diving techniques as well as Maine’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 Maine

The Pine Tree State is one of the most popular trash diving destinations in the country, with 6 commercial shopping complexes and tens of thousands of residential units. The good news is that there are 699 stores in these shopping centers and malls. In rich Maine towns like Saco, Ellsworth, South Portland, Auburn, Biddeford, and Brewer, dumpster diving is common. As a result, Maine has everything in abundance, whether you want to go trash diving in affluent districts or buy at shopping malls and retail stores.

Related: Dumpster Diving in New Hampshire: A Comprehensive Guide

Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Maine?

There are no regulations prohibiting garbage diving in Maine. 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 Maine, as every business and private dwelling is considered private property.

In most Maine 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 abandoned ownership rights to any waste 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 Maine, you could be prosecuted with trespass or larceny. 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 Maine has the right to permanently prohibit you from their premises. You could be charged with disorderly conduct, illegal dumping, and littering, to name a few.

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 Maine if you don’t have all of the necessary licenses and certifications.

Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in Maine?

In Maine, 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 Maine attracts a much larger crowd. Most dumpster divers like to go dumpster diving at night because they prefer to be alone. Dumpster diving in Maine, in my opinion, is best done early in the morning or late at night.

Best places to go dumpster diving in Maine

Thousands of fantastic rubbish diving spots may be discovered around Maine. I have, however, discovered and highlighted some of the best spots in Maine to begin your trash diving adventure.

  1. Construction Sites
  2. Apartment Units
  3. Posh Communities
  4. Hardware and Electronic Shops
  5. Grocery Stores
  6. Cosmetic Stores
Read More: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?

How much money can you make dumpster diving in Maine?

The amount of money you can make dumpster diving in Maine is governed by a variety of factors. Some dumpster divers are only looking for recyclables that they can sell and profit from. Others may wish to begin trash diving in order to obtain food or groceries for personal consumption. Electronics, furniture, and books are among the items that many dumpster divers hunt to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

In Maine, garbage diving as a full-time job will be challenging. That isn’t to suggest it won’t happen in the future. Dumpster diving is a side hustle for this New York couple that pays them over $3000 each month. It demonstrates that it is doable; nevertheless, if you want to earn a living dumpster diving in Maine, you must commit 100% of your time to the sport.

So, how much money can you make trash diving in Maine? Well! In Maine, we spoke with five full-time garbage diving couples. They all agreed that trash diving in Maine can pay up to $3400 per month if you devote full-time hours (40+ hours per week).

Final Thoughts

Dumpster diving is not prohibited in Maine. In your city or county, however, dumpster diving may be prohibited. As a result, double-check each municipality’s city code, which can be found on the internet. As you proceed, keep in mind Maine’s “Trespass after Notice” law as well as municipal boundaries.

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