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I'm new to the scrap business. Was going to go out this morning and hit up as many dumps i can find. I was just wondering how much you could make a week dumpster diving alone? I understand it depends, so let's just say I'm out everyday and doin it as smart as it gets, how much would i make? Also what's the best thing you've ever scored in a dumpster.
YOur right it does depend. If your looking for metal try looking in the business plaza dumpsters. Roll offs are good too for renovations of businesses. Best thing I got out of a dumpster so far is pete and I pulled out a 32 sony LCD tv from a store display. Then the next week got the remote :)
You can make a lot if you find the right stuff. I pulled 900 dollars worth of Retail Printers still in the box out of a dumpster outside of Staples. They all worked. One is on Ebay right now and the current bid is at $165.The one is worth 450 by itself.
I once found over 2500 lbs of computer wire and I also found a diamond ring one time as well
The best for me so far is out of one of them was about 15 lbs of wire, about 100 feet of 1/4 copper tube, and 100 feet of 3in copper pipe. Was a very good day for me I saw some of the pipe out of the top and went and asked the owner of the land and he told me what ever I wanted I could have BUT I have to be neat about it and make sure it is as clean or cleaner when I left.
I have 5 dumpsters I check regualy .and I yeild about 700 per month from them .the one three times I have pulled out close to 600 worth or memory and hard drive boards.so yes its worth it .and its odd you found those at staples.considering staples has a e-waste program
I don't understand why you would dumpster dive. Why not contact the manager and talk to them about recycling there Ewaste?
very simple answer the harder you want to work the more you will make
In business knowledge is power. The minute you ask the manager your going to eitherQuote:
Originally Posted by ResourcefulRecycling
1 - cause yourself to be prohibited
2 - tip your hand that the manager is throwing away money
Notice in neither response do you see me saying that the manager will let you. I have managed a business for almost 40 years. My job is to improve the bottom line.
Part of that is offsetting loss.
The answer to the Op's question here will vary based on how well you know your area, how hard you feel like working, and your ability to not care what others think of you. As well it also depends on how wasteful those around you are. In Ft. Hood I once pulled out a brand new gun safe that had been returned for something petty and useless. It was so heavy I had to pull it out with the truck, then take it by hand and load it from the top of a 40yd box down onto my already half filled pick up bed trailer. The best thing i found scrap wise was when my truck was brand new i saw a bunch of I beams a union jobsite dug out of the ground. The dumpster was filled with metal and concrete slabs. I was able to get out 2,000lbs of heavy steel beams. Sold for $5/100. There was still about 20,000 lbs more but i couldn't unbury it. After that container left the site switched carriers to one of those single stream recycling guys.
Since this OP was in 2012.. He either had the hustle or he didn't!
Fair to say.. one way or the other he has found out his answer!