Is Dumpster Diving Legal in New Hampshire?

Dumpster diving is a unique hobby, isn't it? You know what they say: one man's trash is another man's treasure. But I don't know about you, all of the dumpsters I have seen in my day are filled with mostly trash and very little treasure.

Why do people dumpster dive?

People dumpster dive for items such as clothing, furniture, and similar items in good working condition. Some people do it out of necessity due to poverty/food instability which is extremely heartbreaking.

The people of Reddit had some interesting takes in the Dumpster Diving Subreddit group. A common theme I saw in the comments is that it's all about the thrill of the hunt. It's exciting not to mention lucrative. Many commenters have had dives where they made $1k+. Some people exclusively dive for wood to reclaim. One guy said he has been dumpster diving since he was a kid and started at the dumpsters behind Blockbuster, Gamestop, Best Buy etc. for movies and video games and stuff like that. OKAY, now that's just smart.

According to bizarrehobby.org, New Hampshire is one of the most popular dumpster diving destinations in the country.

LIVE FREE OR DIVE, am I right!?

Dumpster diving is extremely common in wealthier New Hampshire towns like Londonderry, Hampton, Portsmouth, South Hooksett, Milford, and Exeter. However just because people do it doesn't mean it's legal, so this begs the question:

Is Dumpster Diving Legal in New Hampshire?

The site goes on to state that in New Hampshire there are no laws preventing garbage diving. Dumpster diving is, in fact, perfectly permitted in this state.

However it's not so free and easy as it sounds. If you go dumpster diving at a business or home without getting permission you risk getting charged for trespassing, as every business and private residence is considered private property.

If you try to search through the dumpster while it is still inside a private house in New Hampshire you could be charged with trespass or larceny. If you approach private property to try dumpster diving despite a clearly visible ‘No Trespassing’ sign, you could be charged with trespassing, and the business in New Hampshire has the power to permanently exclude you from their premises.

What about dumpster diving at night in New Hampshire?

It's perfectly permitted! Whether you dive dumpsters during the day or at night, the constraints are exactly the same however trash diving in New Hampshire late at night draws a considerably larger crowd. And according to the author on bizarrehobby.org, dumpster diving in New Hampshire is best done early in the morning or late at night.

If you are interested in the world of dumpster diving in New Hampshire, these are (according to bizarrehobby.org) the best spots to dive:

• Construction Sites
• Grocery Stores
• Toy Stores
• Cosmetic Stores
• Electronic Shops
• Bakeries and Cafes

How much money can you make in New Hampshire by dumpster diving?

The author stated that if you actually want to make money diving, it must be treated like a fulltime job. He spoke with five couples in New Hampshire that dive full time (40+ hours per week) and they agreed that dumpster diving in New Hampshire can pay up to $3400 per month.

In conclusion dumpster diving in the Granite State is not forbidden however it may not be permitted in your city or county. You should always double-check the city code for each municipality before getting your dive on. Keep in mind New Hampshire’s “Trespass after Notice” law as well as municipal limits as you proceed.