Dumpster Diving in New York: A Comprehensive Guide

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a guide to help you get started dumpster diving in New York. Well! Understanding your state’s rules and regulations is a good place to start. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over a variety of trash diving techniques as well as New York’s legislation regarding this side hustle. Along the way, I’ll give you some pointers on how to make the most out of your treasure hunting quest.

Dumpster Diving in New York

With 68 shopping centers and tens of thousands of residential units, the Empire State is one of the most popular dumpster diving sites in the country. The good news is that these shopping complexes and malls have 8857 stores. Dumpster diving is common in upscale New York cities like West Village, Lincoln Square, Turtle Bay, East Midtown, Little Italy, Tribeca, Carnegie Hill, and Soho. As a result, whether you want to go trash diving in affluent neighborhoods or shop at shopping malls and retail stores, New York offers it all.

Read More: Dumpster Diving in Pennsylvania: A Comprehensive Guide

Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in New York?

There are no regulations against dumpster diving in New York. In fact, dumpster diving is entirely legal in this state. You must, however, respect 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 New York because every business and private house is considered private property.

In most New York cities, there are no laws prohibiting you from diving into dumpsters on public property, such as garbage pickup curbs.

A person or corporation has effectively abandoned ownership rights to all rubbish dumped 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 New York, you could be prosecuted with trespass or theft. You could be prosecuted for trespassing if you approach private property to try dumpster diving despite a plainly visible ‘No Trespassing’ sign, and the business in New York has the right to permanently ban 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 areas in New York to go trash diving, especially if you don’t have all of the necessary permissions and permits.

Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in New York?

In NY, 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 New York attracts a much larger group of people. Because they prefer seclusion, most dumpster divers prefer to go dumpster diving at night. Dumpster diving in New York, in my opinion, is best done early in the morning or late at night.

Best places to go dumpster diving in New York

In New York, there are various dumpster diving locations. However, I’ve compiled a list of the best areas to start garbage diving for cash in NY.

  1. Construction Sites
  2. Garage Sales
  3. Cosmetic Stores
  4. Clothing Stores
  5. Apartment Complexes
Read More: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?

How much money can you make dumpster diving in New York?

The amount of money you can make dumpster diving in New York depends on 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 look for electronic things, furniture, and books to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Garbage diving as a full-time job will be difficult to maintain in New York. I don’t mean to imply that it’s impossible. Dumpster diving is a side hustle for this New York couple that makes them over $3000 each month. It demonstrates that it is possible, but if you want to make a living dumpster diving in New York, you must commit 100% of your time to it.

So, how much money can you make trash diving in New York? Well! We spoke with four full-time New York garbage diving couples. They all agreed that trash diving in New York can pay up to $4200 per month if you devote full-time hours (40+ hours per week).

Final Thoughts

In the state of New York, dumpster diving is not prohibited. In your city or county, however, dumpster diving may be forbidden. As a result, double-check each municipality’s city code, which can be found on the internet. Keep in mind the “Trespass after Notice” statute in New York, as well as municipal limits, and use caution.

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