You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for some help in order to get you started dumpster diving in South Carolina. Well! Understanding your state’s rules and regulations is a great step to start. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over a variety of trash diving techniques as well as South Carolina’s law regarding 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 South Carolina
With 24 shopping centers and tens of thousands of residential units, Palmetto State is one of the most popular trash diving sites in the country. The good news is that these shopping complexes and malls have 2281 stores. Dumpster diving is common in wealthy South Carolina cities including Bluffton, Mount Pleasant, James Island, Fort Mill, Simpsonville, Lexington, Tega Cay, and Hilton Head Island. As a result, whether you want to go trash diving in affluent neighborhoods or shop at shopping malls and retail outlets, South Carolina offers it all.
Related: Dumpster DIving in North Carolina: A Comprehensive Guide
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in South Carolina?
There are no regulations prohibiting garbage diving in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina, as every company and private dwelling is considered private property.
In most South Carolina 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 trash 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 South Carolina, you could be prosecuted with trespass or theft. 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 South Carolina has the right to permanently ban you from their location. 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 areas in South Carolina to go trash diving if you don’t have all of the necessary permits and approvals.
Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, 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 South Carolina attracts a much larger crowd. Because they prefer seclusion, most dumpster divers prefer to go dumpster diving at night. Dumpster diving in South Carolina, in my opinion, is best done early in the morning or late at night.
Best places to go dumpster diving in South Carolina
In South Carolina, there are various trash diving locations. However, I’ve compiled a list of the best sites to start garbage diving for cash in South Carolina.
- Construction Sites
- Garage Sales
- Cosmetic Stores
- Apartment Complexes
- Shopping Malls
- Toy Stores
Related: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?
How much money can you make dumpster diving in South Carolina?
The amount of money you can make dumpster diving in South Carolina 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 devices, furniture, and books to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
Garbage diving as a full-time job will be difficult to maintain in South Carolina. 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 life dumpster diving in South Carolina, you must devote 100% of your time to the activity.
So, how much money can you make trash diving in South Carolina? Well! We spoke with five full-time South Carolina garbage diving couples. They all agreed that trash diving in South Carolina can pay up to $3400 per month if you devote full-time hours (40+ hours per week).
Final Thoughts
In the state of South Carolina, 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. Proceed with caution, keeping in mind South Carolina’s “Trespass after Notice” law as well as municipal limits.
