You’ve come to the perfect place if you want to start dumpster diving in Missouri. In this detailed guide, we’ll go over various dumpster diving tactics and laws in the state of Missouri. Along the way, I’ll give you some pointers on how to get the most out of your treasure hunt.
Dumpster Diving in Missouri
The Show-Me state has 39 shopping complexes and centers, making it one of the greatest places to go trash diving. The good news is that these shopping centers and malls house a total of 3169 stores. Furthermore, wealthy areas such as Eureka, Chesterfield, Glencoe, Grover, and Ballwin are regarded as Dumpster diving hotspots in Missouri. Consequently, whether you want to go trash diving in these affluent districts or shop at malls and retail stores, Missouri has it all.
Related: Dumpster Diving in Michigan: A Comprehensive Guide
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Missouri?
In the state of Missouri, dumpster diving is not Illegal. In fact, dumpster diving is completely legal in Missouri. You must, however, adhere to your state’s trespassing laws as well as the city or municipality’s policies and statutes. Because every corporation and private dwelling is normally private property, dumpster diving without authority may result in trespassing citations.
In most cities in Missouri, there are no laws forbidding you from diving into dumpsters that have been put on public property such as curbs for pickup.
According to the historic United States Supreme Court case, California v. Greenwood from 1988, an individual or a business has effectively relinquished ownership rights to objects left in dumpsters in public places across the country.
You could be charged with trespass or theft if you try to search through the dumpster while it is still inside a private property in Missouri. If you go inside a private property to try dumpster diving despite a clearly visible ‘No Trespassing‘ sign, you may be charged with trespassing, and the business in Missouri has the ability to permanently prohibit you from their site. You could be charged with disorderly conduct, illegal dumping, or littering.
As a result, you might want to reconsider dumpster diving in that region if you need to unlock a fence, a gate, or enter private property. Those aren’t Missouri’s best trash diving places, especially if you don’t have all of the necessary licenses or permissions.
Although the state of Missouri has decided that trash left on the curb becomes public property, allowing dumpster diving, a number of cities disagree and have passed their own regulations. As a result, it’s crucial to not only stay safe while dumpster diving but also to be familiar with the area and the rules.
Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in Missouri?
In Missouri, dumpster diving at night is not illegal. In truth, the restrictions are the same whether you dive dumpsters during the day or at night. Going trash scavenging in residential areas at night, on the other hand, appears to be fairly risky. There’s a good chance a cop may be dispatched to your location.
In addition, trash diving late at night in Missouri attracts a lot more people. Because they prefer seclusion, most dumpster divers prefer to go dumpster diving at night. Dumpster diving in Missouri is best done early in the morning or just after sunrise, in my opinion.
Best places to go dumpster diving in Missouri
There are several great places to go trash diving in Missouri. However, I’ve compiled a list of the 7 finest places in Missouri to start your trash diving journey and earn money along the way.
- Shopping Centers and Malls
- Rich Neighborhoods
- Florists
- Bakeries and Cafes
- Video Game shops
- Retail stores
- Construction sites
Related: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?
How much money can you make dumpster diving in Missouri?
The amount of money you can make dumpster diving in Missouri is determined by a number of factors. Some people 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 also look for goods to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, such as electronics, furniture, or books.
Garbage diving will be difficult to sustain as a full-time job in Missouri. I don’t mean to imply that it’s impossible. This dumpster diving mama makes over $4000 per month from this side hustle. It is proof that it is possible, but if you want to earn a full-time living dumpster diving in Missouri, you’ll need to put in full-time effort and attention.
So, how much money can you make trash diving in Missouri? We discussed with a few full-time professional dumpster divers from Missouri. And they all agreed that trash diving can pay up to $1400 per week in Missouri if you work full-time (40+ hours per week).
Final Thoughts
Dumpster diving is not illegal in Missouri. However, depending on your city or county, there may be regulations prohibiting dumpster diving. As a result, double-check each community’s city code, which is freely accessible online. Also, follow Missouri’s “Trespass after Warning” statute, as well as local ordinances and common sense rules.
