When I was a youngster my brother's girlfriend, Karen and I would rummage through people's trash.  She was a good Karen.

I was already on the hunt for hidden treasures when I stumbled upon a gem: a green machine just sitting there, waiting to be tossed out. No way was I letting that beauty go to waste!

The green machine was mine, and I couldn't have been happier. If you're unfamiliar with the Green Machine it was a type of big wheel. See it in all its glory.

I didn’t mind having Karen join me on my trash runs because she had wheels and could take me all around town. I didn’t do it every day, but I definitely made a point to hit the streets on big trash days.

Living in the suburbs of Washington, DC meant that people were always renovating and putting brand-new items out on the curb.

You could find all sorts of treasures—everything from brand-new appliances and furniture to toys, books, and records.

I’ve always had a soft spot for rescuing vinyl records, no matter what they were! After moving hundreds of them a few times, I eventually donated most of my collection to my buddy Matt so he could lug them around the country.

Can You Dumpster Dive in Iowa?

Are you able to do the dumpster dive in Iowa?  When you say it like that it sounds like a dance step or a look back at my life.  There is an answer to that question and it's short, YES!  You can dumpster dive in Iowa to your heart's content, there are no restrictions except if there are.

That would be all the dumpsters or trash bins on public property.  The receptacles on private property would be subject to the rules of the business or property manager that oversees the land those bins sit on.

That's also where the illegality comes in.  The dumpster diving is not illegal but stepping onto private property to retrieve those items from the garbage is where a company or individual could have you prosecuted.

No Judge Judy here: If you find yourself on the wrong side of Iowa's trespassing laws, be ready for a wild ride! Depending on whether it’s a simple misdemeanor, serious misdemeanor, aggravated misdemeanor, or even a class D felony, you could be looking at fines or some time behind bars.

For a simple misdemeanor trespass, your wallet might take a hit: it’s a $200 fine for your first misstep, $500 for a second, and a whopping $1,000 for every time after that! So, think twice before you wander where you shouldn't—your bank account will thank you!

What are the laws in the U.S. Regarding Dumpster Diving?

If we're looking at laws, according to Findlaw.com it's legal to dumpster dive in all 50 states. In 1988, the Supreme Court ruled in State of California v. Greenwood that searching trash is legal as long as it does not conflict with any city, county, or state ordinances. So it's legal unless it's not.

Also, remember when YOU put out trash someone can look through it unless on your property.

That includes law enforcement who can pick through your trash for what they call evidence. I'd suggest you stop committing crimes and leaving evidence in the trash in front of your home but that's me.  Why do that when you could put the trash in front of your neighbor's home and frame them?  We always knew they were trouble, those neighbors.

Can You Survive Dumpster Diving?

There are those out there who make their living dumpster diving.  Ya never know if it's something you might want to dive into.  (<---See what I did there 😊)

I've heard that some of these videos might be staged, but that's just the nature of the internet. Keep in mind that things aren’t always as they seem.

Let me know if you do any dumpster diving or if you have and you've found anything good.  Be safe!

Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area Photos

A collection of photos taken during trips to Wickiup Hill Learning Center in Toddville, IA.

Gallery Credit: Sloppy Joe

Photos of The Iowa Hawkeyes Vs. Troy Trojans September 14, 2024

The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Troy Trojans, 38 to 21, on September 14, 2024. I took these pictures with my first press pass, thanks to U of I. After reviewing over 3,000 pictures I think these are decent enough to share. I hope you enjoy them.

Gallery Credit: Sloppy Joe