Are you considering dumpster diving in Arizona for a side gig? Have you concluded but do not know how to go about it? Is your fear about its legality or the laws surrounding it as a whole?
I will answer all these questions and many more in this thorough article. So, why don’t you hang around to see what I have for you in this post?
Good! Let’s begin.
Dumpster Diving In Arizona
The Grand Canyon State, which is the sixth-largest state in the United States, is a very reasonable area in the country to go for trash diving.
Asides from the size of the state being a factor, the Copper state ( a nickname earned due to its abundance of minerals) has roughly sixty malls and complexes.
Moreso, let it not shock you when I say there are approximately five thousand, four hundred and ninety(5,490) stores in these shopping malls.
Additionally, there are opulent neighborhoods in Arizona such as Fountain Hills, Queen Creek, Marana, Paradise Valley, and Scottsdale. These places are top-notch jackpots for the dumpster diving business.
Therefore, we can draw a conclusion that Arizona is a rich ground for trash diving, regardless of where you choose to dumpster dive, residential or commercial areas.
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal In Arizona?
Trash diving in Arizona is not in any form against the laws of the state. However, there are certain rules you must comply with such as the state’s trespassing laws, and/or city’s regulations or policies.
You may be wondering why you need to adhere to these policies if any. It’s simple, and here is it: every commercial or residential property is privately owned.
So you can violate the trespassing law if you trash dive without the consent of the property owner, and subsequently, get punished for it. I bet you do not want this in your course of business.
Contrastingly, you can dumpster dive on a public-owned property and no one will hold it against you since there are no laws opposing that.
It is worthy of note that you know your rights, especially those that protect your interests. One of these is the abandoned ownership rights that an individual or company has to products deposited in public dumpsters across the country according to the landmark United States Supreme Court Case, California Versus Greenwood from 1988.
With that in mind, you should steer clear of any region that requires you to open a gate, climb a fence, or enter a private-owned property, most especially one that bears the “No Trespassing” sign.
Trash diving in such a place could warrant a trespassing case, and you could be charged with theft, littering, illegal dumping, or disorderly behavior in some cases.
Any of these could get you a ban from the premises of whoever sues you, and that’s not too good for business, I guess.
Is Dumpster Diving At Night Illegal In Arizona?
No, dumpster diving is not illegal at night in Arizona. There is no law that rules against trash diving at night in Arizona, the limitations remain the same regardless of the hour you decide to trash dive.
Other than the potential risks of garbage gleaning at night, nothing else restricts you from doing so.
Despite the risks involved, some trash divers still prefer to go out at night due to personal reasons such as isolation. So, the decision is solely yours to make.
However, I highly suggest very early in the morning or dusk for dumpster diving in Arizona.
Best Spots For Dumpster Diving in Arizona
Earlier in this article, I mentioned that Arizona is such a great place to trash dive due to its size and commercial prowess.
However, there are still major hotspots I think you should look out for if you are a beginner in this field.
Worry not, I have a list here for you:
- Grocery stores
- Cosmetic stores
- Shopping malls
- Construction sites
- Bakery and Cafes
- Yard sales
- Garage sales
- Video Game stores
How Much Can I Make As A Dumpster Diver In Arizona?
There is no absolute answer to this question, as there are many factors that contribute to how much one realizes in a business, with the principal factors being the amount of effort and time you put into the business.
Also, it depends on what you are trash diving for in the proper sense and perhaps the goal you set for it, or let me say, what you see it as.
If you trash dive to just eat, then that will just be it; if you look out for valuables that you could probably resell, then that also will be it.
It depends on you but know for sure that it is worth a side-hustle. If you would like to dwell on it fully, then you have to be dedicated and give it all it takes.
Moreover, from a survey carried out on a few professional trash divers in Arizona, we realized that it could fetch you Six Thousand, five hundred dollars($6,500) in a month on an average but you must have worked at least 40hours weekly.
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal Near Tucson, Arizona?
No, it is not illegal to search trash near or in Tucson, Arizona. There is no law that rules against that as long as you adhere strictly to the regulations of the state and city on trespassing.
Once you comply with all the State’s policies, you are good to go.
Related: Dumpster diving in Maine
Is Dumpster Diving Legal In Phoenix, Arizona?
Trash diving in Phoenix, Arizona is legal, provided you do not violate the city’s regulations, especially the trespassing law.
There is a ruling that protects your rights as a dumpster diver that a property is no longer private as soon as it has been dumped on public property.
Although some cities, like Mesa and Scottsdale, Arizona rules it illegal but it is for hygienic purpose, they believe it is unsafe and unhealthy for divers as individuals.
You might want to check closely on the policies of your city before setting out completely on the trash diving business.
Final Notes
Above all, dumpster diving in Arizona is not illegal. However, you might still have to certify that your county’s policies or city’s regulations completely support garbage gleaning.
Therefore, you should check out the city code for your area. That is not much of a big deal as you can easily find this on the internet.
Lastly, follow Arizona’s law on “Trespass after Warning” righteously to be on the safe side, as well as your intuitions and every local policy surrounding what you do.
And you are good!
