Notes on Skipping

Couple things to think about when dumpster diving. Have a look around the dumpster for cameras. Finding out when they empty the dumpster is good to know. Some places do it every day, some don't. If you go the day after it is easier to sort through because there is less in the dumpster. The dumpsters here almost always have real trash burying the "treasure." So we have to take out the rubbish bags, put them next to the dumpster, get the good stuff then clean up. Clean up is VERY important. If the dumpster isn't already locked they will start to lock it if you leave a mess. You mustn't make it obvious you were there. Even if they know people dumpster dive employees often don't care as long as they don't have to pick up after you.

Knowing when they empty the dumpster is also good to know because then you can go when it is fresh. This is particularly important when the weather is hot. Imagine it like an oven. It can get REALLY gross with meat and even more so with seafood. They usually put stuff in bags but not always. Depending on the dumpster it may or may not matter how big of a mess you make inside the dumpster. Sometimes they just throw stuff in there so ripping open bags doesn't matter. But perhaps they are careful to put everything in bags to keep down smell or whatever. In that case you should try to untie the bags, look through them and retie afterwards. BE VERY CAREFUL not to open a bag with seafood in it! You might vomit from the smell. Then you have to sort through your vomit as well. Not fun.

It is best to bring at least one other person with you. That way one person can be in the dumpster finding the goods while the other person is the helper. The helper takes the stuff from the diver to pack it in the bags you brought. Remember not to put bananas on the bottom, especially when you find canned goods. Sometimes we put a large plastic bag inside the backpacks so they don't get REALLY gross, but they still get dirty. There is always something broken in the dumpster, be it shampoo, yogurt, lotion, or something unknown. Therefore when you get home you have to wash everything. Be careful not to just put everything into the bathtub or sink of cold water because some things are open. For example, maybe someone in the store opened up a container of hummus, then didn't buy it. The store throws it away. It is still suitable for eating, but the container isn't sealed so you don't want to submerge it. And naturally you don't want to submerge bread in water. I'm sure you know that though.

We haven't figured out a best time to go. The grocery store we go to is open till midnight. We were going sometime past 11pm. Employees often don't go out the back door so late so we weren't worried, though we did keep an ear open for anyone stumbling upon us. Then we got caught a couple times. The have both told us to just take what we needed and get out and they have made us put the food back. Of course, we still cleaned up before we left. You must not forget to clean up! Even if you get excited or afraid or whatever. Last time I went someone came out while I was in the bin. I froze, the helper hid and we waited until the store employee was done with whatever he came outside to do and went back inside. As soon as the door shut I jumped out, we hurriedly cleaned up, grabbed the goods and swiftly walked away.

When I was walking home last time I was thinking about how much skipping is a part of my current life. I wondered if I would continue when I leave my current house. One thing though, it sure will be strange when I go back to shopping for ALL of my food. At least for a little while.