Every dumpster diving destination offers a different experience since you can find different things in their dumpsters. If you want the best experience, choosing a retail store chain to dumpster dive will be the best option.
Because of the variety of items you can find there to use personally and sell for profitability. Dumpster diving at Meijer offers such an experience, and this is our guide on how you can be efficient at it.
Dumpster diving at Meijer
Meijer is a retail store chain known for its supercenter concept. It provides general merchandise and a grocery store under one roof and operates in the Midwestern United States.
These stores have multiple categories, including electronics, household items, home improvement products, kitchen items, apparel, etc. Additionally, other departments inside these stores contain pharmacies and optical departments.
Since these stores are open 24 hours daily, your dumpster diving experience can be much better than other retail chains because more items are thrown in the dumpsters.
Meijer is known for its customer service that focuses on providing customers a premium experience through discounts and promotional products and keeping its store stocked with the latest and highly-demanded products.
With more than 250 store locations, it can be your perfect dumpster diving destination for finding items to use personally and to sell to make a profit through dumpster diving.
Related article: All you need to know about Dumpster diving
Dumpster diving at Meijer: Pros and Cons
Dumpster diving at Meijer may seem attractive initially, but you must know both sides of the story before you start.
A. Pros
1. Costly products available for free
Stuff you must pay for inside the stores is free inside the dumpsters. Whatever you find is yours to keep. So, it means huge savings your way.
2. Lots of items to choose from
The dumpsters can surprise you with a range of items in them. You can find an unexpected range of products. The best part is that most of these items are still usable.
3. Better for the environment
You will stop a lot of garbage from ending up in landfills. More dumpster divers mean a cleaner planet. Moreover, it will be profitable for you.
B. Cons
1. Injury chances
There could be sharp, heavy, or pointy objects inside the dumpsters. Little carelessness can cause severe injury. On top of that, dumpsters have lots of germs in them.
2. Legal issues
Some areas have legal issues, while sometimes, the store does not allow dumpster divers. So, you may welcome unwanted issues your way. It is better to stay updated with the law.
3. Germs and pests
Not everything you find in dumpsters is good for taking. It is due to the germs and pests in the dumpsters. The consumable items must be left there if the packaging seal is broken.
How does Meijer handle their waste?
Meijer has great waste management policies that ensure that stuff is used as much as possible. There are multiple ways waste is handled at Meijer. For example, the consumables are given to the donation program, where they are donated to needy communities.
Similarly, some Meijer stores categorize waste and provide organic materials for waste-to-energy programs.
Apart from these, there are trans bins inside the stores that contain the daily waste and are emptied into the dumpsters outside the store. In this way, Meijer stores make the most out of their trash since they focus on utilizing waste as much as possible.
How does Meijer handle the returned products?
Meijer has a customer-friendly product return policy; anything you return is thoroughly tested first. If it is good, then it is sold as new. Otherwise, it is donated or goes to waste, as discussed above.
Dumpster diving laws at Meijer
Meijer stores are usually located on private property, so they follow the dumpster diving laws at Meijer and private property laws. Although most Meijer locations don’t have strict laws against dumpster drivers, private property laws are strictly followed.
So, it is very important to stay aware of all the latest updates in your local laws. If you fail to meet the regulations, you may face severe charges against you, which can include:
- Prison time
- Ban from the location
- Fine
In the worst case, the court will order all three of these against you depending on the area and the charges against you.
Is dumpster diving illegal at Meijer?
Is dumpster diving illegal at Meijer? No, it is not illegal, but there are certain things that you must be careful about.
For example, if the dumpsters are protected inside private property by means of a sign or a gate, you must stay away from them. Only approach the dumpsters that are present on public property.
If you still want to dive into a dumpster on private property, ask for permission or wait for the officials to move that dumpster to public property.
In this way, you can be safe while diving inside those dumpsters. It is important to note that you must leave the property if an official asks you to leave, even after you get permission from someone.
What can you find inside the dumpsters at Meijer?
Meijer stores sell many things, and items from multiple categories are present inside their dumpsters. Here is a list of items that you may find:
- Groceries
- Personal care items
- Apparel
- Accessories
- Home décor and interior design
- Household essentials
- Pet supplies
- Automotive accessories
- Baby care products
- Office Supplies
- Toys, electronics, and gadgets
Apart from these, there are many other things like books, arts and crafts products, pharmaceutical items, etc. So, visiting Meijer dumpsters with a clear mindset of what you will be finding is important.
How much can you earn through Meijer dumpster diving?
Since Meijer is a chain of retail stores, you can expect many items in the dumpsters here. Some items with huge price tags can give you huge profits. Similarly, items with small price tags will provide you with small profits.
Multiple factors will affect your earnings through dumpster diving, for example:
- The time that you put into dumpster diving
- Your vision about what you will be picking from the dumpsters
- Dumpster diving experience
- The locality that you visit for dumpster diving
If all these go in your favor and you take dumpster diving as your full-time hustle, you can earn around $150 weekly. Multiple examples of similar earning results from competitor retail store chains like Costco exist.
However, to earn this much through dumpster diving at Meijer, you need more than just knowledge and experience. You must stay focused and determined about your pick and how to sell it.
The most important thing about earning from dumpster diving at Meijer is understanding that every day will not be the same. Somedays, you may hit the jackpot inside the dumpsters; other days, you may return empty-handed.
So, the only thing that will help you earn is dedication and focus. This way, even if you don’t earn, you will find items for personal use that will bring you savings so that it will be a similar experience.
Is earning from dumpster diving at Meijer enough to replace your job?
Visiting Meijer dumpsters only is not enough. That will not be enough to replace your job. However, if you create a route plan and visit multiple dumpsters on every trip, you may earn up to $4000 monthly or even more which will be enough to replace your job.
Best time to dumpster dive at Meijer
Since these stores are open 24 hours a day, finding the best time to dumpster dive there can be tricky. The right way to find the best time is to look for when the employees throw the trash into the dumpsters.
It may happen once, twice daily, or at the end of every shift. Going there when they empty their trash cans will be the most beneficial time since you can find most stuff then.
Tips for safety: Dumpster diving at Meijer
Many things could go wrong even when Meijer stores sell the most basic items. That’s where our safety tips can be helpful.
- Be careful when consuming something; leave it immediately if it has a broken seal.
- Don’t take consumables that are expired. You can’t even feed them to your pets.
- Always stay aware of state, local, and store dumpster diving laws
- Be careful about your safety and hygiene. Wearing gloves, reflective clothing, and goggles are essential
It is essential always to follow these tips whenever you dumpster dive at Meijer. Find out more dumpster diving safety tips here.
Final Words
Dumpster diving at Meijer can be both fun and exciting. You never know what you may find inside the dumpsters. Moreover, the chances of profitability are amazing if you have a clear mindset about what you will be looking for.
So, start with a plan and implement it to make the most out of your dumpster diving trips to Meijer.
