If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to get you started dumpster diving in Virginia, you’ve come to the right spot. Well! Understanding the rules and regulations in your state is an excellent way to start. We’ll go over a number of trash diving techniques as well as Virginia’s legislation in this step-by-step article. Moreover, I’ll give you some tips along the road on how to make the most of your treasure hunt.
Dumpster Diving in Virginia
The mother of States is one of the most popular trash diving destinations in the country, with 95 shopping centers and tens of thousands of residential units. The good news is that there are 7220 stores in these shopping centers and malls. In posh Virginia towns including Vienna, Leesburg, Falls Church, Herndon, Alexandria, Warrenton, Fairfax, and Bridgewater, dumpster diving is prevalent. As a result, Virginia has it all, whether you want to go trash diving in affluent neighborhoods or buy at shopping malls and retail stores.
Related: Dumpster Diving in West Virginia: A Comprehensive Guide
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Virginia?
In Virginia, there are no laws against trash diving. 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. If you go trash diving without permission in Virginia, you risk getting charged for trespassing, as every business and private residence is considered private property.
There are no regulations forbidding you from diving into dumpsters on public property, such as garbage pickup curbs, in most Virginia cities.
According to the landmark United States Supreme Court case California v. Greenwood, a person or company has effectively relinquished ownership rights to all trash placed in public dumpsters 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 house in Virginia. If you approach private property to try dumpster diving despite a clearly visible ‘No Trespassing’ sign, you could be charged with trespassing, and the business in Virginia has the right to permanently prohibit you from their premises. Disorderly conduct, illegal dumping, and littering are just a few of the offenses that you could face.
As a result, you should avoid trash diving near a gate, fence, or private property if you need to enter one. These aren’t the finest places to go trash diving in Virginia, especially if you don’t have all of the appropriate permits and approvals.
Is Dumpster Diving at night illegal in Virginia?
Dumpster diving at night is perfectly permitted in Virginia. In actuality, whether you dive dumpsters during the day or at night, the constraints remain the same. Trash scavenging late at night in residential areas, on the other hand, appears to be dangerous. A police officer may be deployed to your area. In addition, trash diving late at night in Virginia draws a considerably larger crowd. Most dumpster divers like to go dumpster diving at night because they seek privacy. Dumpster diving in Virginia is best done early in the morning or late at night, in my opinion.
Best places to go dumpster diving in Virginia
There are several trash diving places in Virginia. However, I’ve put together a list of the top places in Virginia to start garbage diving for cash.
- Yard Sales
- Construction Sites
- Apartment Complexes
- Grocery Stores
- Retail Stores (Walmart, Target, etc.)
- Toy Stores
Related: Dumpster Diving at Walmart: Legal or Illegal?
How much money can you make dumpster diving in Virginia?
In Virginia, the amount of money you can make dumpster diving is determined by a variety of criteria. Some people go dumpster diving simply to uncover recyclable stuff that they can sell and profit from. Others might want to start garbage diving to get food or groceries for their own usage. Electronics, furniture, and books are among the items that many dumpster divers hunt to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
It will be difficult to keep garbage diving as a full-time career in Virginia. I’m not implying that it’s impossible. For this New York couple, dumpster diving is a side hustle that earns them over $3000 per month. It shows that it is possible, but if you want to earn a living dumpster diving in Virginia, you must devote 100 percent of your time to the endeavor.
So, how much money can you make in Virginia by trash diving? Well! Four full-time Virginia garbage diving couples spoke with us. They all agreed that if you dedicate full-time hours (40+ hours per week), trash diving in Virginia can pay up to $3800 per month.
Final Thoughts
Dumpster diving is not illegal in the state of Virginia. Dumpster diving, on the other hand, maybe prohibited in your city or county. As a result, double-check the city code for each municipality, which may be accessed on the internet. Keep in mind Virginia’s “Trespass after Notice” law, as well as municipal boundaries, and proceed with caution.
