You don’t have to be in poverty to take advantage of the many things found in dumpsters, as long as you take the right pre-cautions. But what is dumpster diving? It is simply rummaging or going through dumpsters to find things of use such as food, clothing, or any other items that could be of use. Although, the writer prefers the term “scavenging” or “scrounging”.
“Even respectable employed people will sometimes find something tempting sticking out of a dumpster or standing beside one.” This quote, coming from the text, was written for the purpose of dealing with the reader’s emotion. It notifies the reader that there is nothing wrong with going in the trash if you see something you like. You will never know because one man’s trash may be your treasure.
Even though you may feel degraded by going through a dumpster, Eighner uses the method of pathos to convince the reader that there is nothing wrong with taking something you like. Although, it is your choice, Eighner is still convincing the reader that there is no problem with it. But there are still pre-cautions you should take before picking something up and eating or using it…
Dumpster diving may seem very care-free and more like “whatever you find, you take”. Eighner mentions throughout his essay about the precautions that must be taken when diving through dumpsters. He includes that, “Eating safely from the dumpsters involves three principles: using the senses and common sense to evaluate the condition of the found materials, knowing the dumpsters of a given area and checking them regularly, and seeking always to answer the question ‘why was this discarded’.
This information all seems completely credible knowing that it’s coming from a dumpster diver with much experience and knowledge. As an employed person wouldn’t be as educated in the art of dumpster diving. But who says employed people may not go through a dumpster in his life, or has never ate spoiled food?
Eighner showed examples about employed people being more careless than a dumpster diver by saying, ”Perhaps everyone who has a kitchen and a regular supply of groceries has, at one time or another, made a sandwich and eaten half of it before discovering mold on the bread or got a mouthful of milk before realizing the milk had turned.”
The reason for this is that “Nothing of the sort is likely to happen to a dumpster diver because he is constantly reminded that most food is discarded for a reason.” This statement seems logical because, yes, employed people may or may not check the expiration date or smell the odor of a specific product, thinking that it is perfectly fine because it was refrigerated. While a smart dumpster diver, such as Eighner, uses his three rules before indulging the food.
There are, indeed, many good things that could be found in dumpsters. Even though it’s not the ideal place to go food shopping, there are its perks, as well as flaws. But the only way to know if something is good or not is by using Eighner’s three logical rules. If there is something you like that you see in the dumpster, you are better off taking it, it is free. You don’t have to be in poverty to go through a dumpster. Another man’s trash may be your treasure. I think Eighner explains and proved that accurately.
