I know what a vegetarian is and I know what a vegan is. I’ve heard of the minimalistic movement and even subscribe to the 100 Things Challenge on Facebook (not that it does me much good).
But, until I was watching the 10th season of “Project Runaway” the other day, I had never heard of a freegan. Contestant Fabio Costa (who is originally from Brazil, but now lives in Brooklyn, New York) told another designer that he was a freegan. He explained to that designer that he gets his meals from dumpsters, to which everyone in the room went “Ew!”
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I was interested and immediately had to look it up. Freeganism is more than just dumpster driving. It is a philosophy that takes a poke at capitalism and consumerism while also supporting sustainable living. And, it is on the rise in the U.S. It’s like the ultimate in recycle and reuse.
But, I do have mixed feelings about this. People have joked about my father being a dumpster diver because if he sees something that looks useful on the side of the road that is obviously being thrown away and he thinks he can use it, he will pick it up. I think a lot of Americans throws out perfectly useful items to make room for the latest and greatest thing and that is very wasteful. I am always on my husband to donate something to the needy rather than throw it out.
But, the whole idea of getting my food from a dumpster seems a bit…well, ew. I know that restaurants throw out a lot of useful food, but I just don’t want to dig through other trash to get it. I’d rather they donate any unsellable but still good food to shelters and soup kitchens, but that’s just me.
One question you may have is “Is this legal?” Can you just go rummaging through someone else’s garbage? The answer, for the most part, is yes. Shop owners may not like you in there, so there may be some trespassing issues, but I am sure if you dig carefully and don’t scatter garbage everywhere, they won’t mind.