Dumpster diving can actually be fun when you’re finding things you can use or resell. It also opens up unique ways to earn money, which is why it’s becoming more popular today.
Dumpsters only hold waste for some people, but if you go through the right dumpsters at the right time, you can find valuable stuff, especially during dumpster diving at Petco.
Here you can find pet care products and supplies, but there is much to be careful about.
Dumpster Diving at Petco
Petco is one of the biggest pet retailer networks, with over 1500 stores across the USA. You can find all types of pet supplies, toys, and accessories here. At Petco, they ensure that every customer gets 100% satisfaction, which is why they throw a lot of items in the trash whenever a customer is not satisfied with their purchase.
While it enhances their customers’ experience, it also allows the dumpster divers here to find the most valuable items. Whenever a customer returns an item, the employees inspect it; if it is not resalable, they simply throw it out.
Sometimes these products include broken or damaged ones, while sometimes, the product itself is perfect while the packaging is damaged.
Dumpster Diving Laws at Petco
Petco itself has no dumpster diving laws and follows all the local and state laws. So, dumpsters on their private property are also their property, including the trash inside. According to the dumpster diving laws at most places, you have no right to go through those dumpsters.
If you dive into those dumpsters without permission, store owners or managers could call the cops, fine you, or even have you banned from the area.
So, for the best dumpster diving experience at the nearby Petco store, you must follow the local rules and refrain from breaking any. If you want to go through their dumpsters legally, then a good way is to ask for their permission.
Diving in the dumpster is not the only thing that may get you in trouble, as some other things to stay away from include:
- Littering
- Causing noise
- Disturbing the surroundings
Refrain from these even if you are on public property.
Is dumpster diving illegal at Petco?
You will mostly find the dumpsters at Petco present on their private property. However, when a Petco store is present inside a mall, the dumpsters are hard to access because they are mostly present indoors. In both these cases, the dumpsters are managed privately, so diving in them will be illegal unless you ask for the owner’s permission.
Sometimes you will find Petco stores throwing away their trash in the public dumpsters as they don’t have any at the back of the property. In that case, there will be no issue because as they throw out their trash, it becomes public property but abiding by your local dumpster diving laws is still important.
Whenever you find a dumpster near a Petco store, always look out for gated or fenced properties because you don’t want to go inside without permission. Also, look for the signs prohibiting trespassers.
Entering private property without permission is illegal and could get you charged with trespassing. Some good store owners and managers may give you a chance by asking you to go away, and that’s when you must leave immediately; otherwise, you will find yourself in trouble.
Is Dumpster Diving at Petco Worth It?
Yes, especially if you know what to look for and follow the rules. Dumpster diving at Petco can help you score:
- Useful pet products for your own animals
- High demand items to resell online
- A way to reduce waste by reusing what would otherwise be thrown out
The trick is knowing when and where to dive, and making sure you’re staying safe and legal.
Petco Dumpster Diving Earnings – How Much Can You Make?
Petco dumpster diving can help you earn well by picking up pet supplies and accessories. Although it depends on several factors, if you are determined to pick the most highly demanded products and work full-time, then going through the Petco dumpsters alone will help you make around $2000 a month.
Even part-time dumpster diving at Petco can bring in around $1,000 a month, which is a decent side hustle for many people. Remember that even with these higher chances of earning, the overall results will depend on the following factors:
- Your knowledge about pet products and luck in finding the right ones most of the time
- Visiting these stores at the right time
- Picking up the products with better resale value
- The time you invest and the number of Petco stores you visit
So, instead of relying on Petco dumpsters solely for your earning requirements, you should only take it as a side hustle. Otherwise, plan to visit all the dumpsters in your locality where you can find valuable stuff and visit the Petco stores.
Can You Sell Petco Dumpster Finds Online?
Yes, as long as the products are clean, undamaged, and safe to use, you can resell them online. Many dumpster divers flip their finds on platforms like:
- eBay
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- Local pet groups
- OfferUp
- Mercari
Just be transparent about the condition of each item. Clean the product well, take clear pictures, and write a simple, honest description.
Pro Tip: Group smaller items (like toys or bowls) into bundles for quicker sales.
Best time to dumpster dive at Petco
Usually, Petco stores stay open from 10 am to 9 pm. Most of these stores will throw out their trash during the opening or closing of the store. So, you need to see when the store throws out its trash that you will be visiting.
Visiting during that time will be the best because you will not find a lot of other dumpster divers, so you can peacefully go through all the trash. Visiting the Petco dumpsters when other divers have been through them means you won’t find much good stuff.
How to Avoid Getting Caught While Dumpster Diving at Petco
First, know your local laws. While dumpster diving is legal in many states, some local areas may have restrictions.
If it’s legal in your area, stick to public dumpsters. If the Petco dumpster is on private property, always ask for permission first.
To avoid problems:
- Don’t litter
- Don’t make noise
- Don’t block any doors or loading areas
- Respect the space
Following these tips helps you stay under the radar and out of legal trouble.
Are Petco Employees Allowed to Stop You?
Yes. If you’re on private property or violating any local laws, employees or store managers can ask you to leave. In some cases, they may call local authorities.
What to do if confronted:
- Stay calm and polite
- Respect their request immediately
- Don’t argue or make a scene
- Apologize and leave if asked
Being respectful might even lead to permission in the future. Some divers report that certain employees are understanding, especially if you’re polite and not making a mess.
Is Dumpster Diving at Petco Safe?
Yes, it can be safe but only if you take the right precautions.
Petco products are meant for animals, so you must be careful when picking up anything edible or that comes in contact with pets. Safety tips include:
- Wear gloves to avoid cuts or contamination
- Sanitize products before use or resale
- Check packaging for signs of damage or tampering
- Never use broken items that could injure pets
- Don’t feed pets expired food or supplements
Staying safe means you’re not only protecting yourself but also the animals that will use the products.
What Can You Find While Dumpster Diving at Petco?
If you are diving into the dumpsters at Petco to find stuff for use with your pets, then your requirements will decide what you find and pick. However, when you look for stuff that you can sell to others, you will find many other products as well. Some common items include:
- Pet food
- Pet skincare products
- Toys
- Leashes
- Feeders and bowls
- Beds
- Cameras and trackers, etc.
So, whenever you are going through these dumpsters, pick the items with a high resale value and high demand. These sell quickly compared to other products, and you may end up with a good profit from selling these products.
Whether you pick products for personal use or to sell, never go for the expired ones or those too close to their expiration date, as they will not be good for pets.
When does Petco throw away items into its dumpsters?
You will see that dumpsters at Petco have new products. These products are thrown away when they don’t sell, and the store needs to remove them from shelves to place new products. So, these are usually thrown away as the store opens or closes because that’s the time when most shelves are restocked at Petco.
When it comes to returned products, Petco throws products that return with open or broken packaging. Such products are usually thrown out at the weekends because that’s when the Petco stores are the busiest.
If you plan to visit these stores during the weekend, note their opening and closing times, as they may vary on weekends compared to the normal routine.
Tips for Dumpster Diving in Petco
Petco dumpster diving will be a different experience than other types. So, if you want the best results from every visit to Petco dumpsters, follow the tips below:
- Always pick a consumable product after checking its expiring date. Consumables include food, medication, cleaning, and bathing products; expired ones can harm pets.
- Always take a sharp box-cutting knife because some products will be on boxes, and you don’t want to waste any time opening those boxes.
- Every Petco store near you will have a routine of throwing out their trash. See when they move their trash to the public dumpsters and visit them.
- If the Petco store you visit has a dumpster in its private location, you should ask for the owner’s permission to dive in it to find the best stuff before any other diver.
- If your city or municipality forbids public dumpster diving, you must avoid it at all costs.
Following all these tips will make you efficient at Petco dumpsters. Even if you dive through other dumpsters, you may follow these tips for better results.
Final Words
Petco is one of the largest pet supply retailers in the USA. They often throw out items they no longer need, but some of that stuff can be valuable to you.
So yes, dumpster diving at Petco can be worth it as long as you follow the law and stay respectful. You might find great products for your pets or items that resell well online.
Just be smart and avoid anything that could harm animals, like expired food.
