20+ Cool Things That Were Once Thrown Away but Got a Second Life

Food products that are about to expire usually get thrown away in developed countries without much thought. And the amount of such waste is impressive. In the US alone, food waste constitutes about 30% to 40% of the food supply. That’s why in the US and in many European countries, dumpster diving has been popular for many years. At first, the divers, who are the people who try to find useful things in the trash, were looking for food that was still edible but was thrown away by supermarkets and restaurants. But later, people started to pick up not only food, but clothing, furniture, beauty products, and various devices as well.

Of course, some people have to do this because of a low income, but others see this process as a hobby that can bring in some additional income too. There’s even a Reddit group where users share the things they managed to find in the dumpsters and on the side of the road. We at Bright Side looked through some photos and were actually surprised to realize how picky our consumerist society is. People actually throw away real gold and cash. Just have a look at the amazing objects that people wanted to get rid of. Picking up this extra stuff is good since it helps to save our planet from becoming completely cluttered.

“I found these Gucci shoes in the dumpster near my college. The dirt on the toe easily came off.”

Reddit users noted that a pair of new shoes similar to these cost $1,150.

“I found this 14K handmade gold ring. It’s worth $200 (the stone is glass). I also found those tiny hands with it.”

“I found this Carol Brass trumpet that costs about $400.”

“I took these brand new things from the dumpster near the pharmacy. I donated them to charity.”

“My husband and I went dumpster diving for the first time. That was fun!”

“I found these mid-century American Tourister suitcases near the dumpsters.”

“I had a nice haul today.”

“I found an old set that contains a compass, a telescope, and a magnifier.”

“I found this beauty in a jewelry box. This is 14K yellow gold with a tanzanite gem in the middle, surrounded by 23 genuine diamonds.”

“I noticed this set on the side of the road with the note: ’Free, I’m vegan now.’ Thank you, vegan stranger!”

“I found this miniature iJuke music box in an apartment complex dumpster.”

“I found 6 IKEA chairs on the side of the road.”

“I found this 65” TV that works perfectly. The previous owners even taped a remote to it."

“My first finding — we’re both thrilled.”

“I found a 150-year-old book of medical text today.”

This ashtray is almost 100 years old.

“My boyfriend found this in the dumpster at work. I cleaned the leather with vinegar and applied linseed oil to the wood.”

This MacBook Pro and iPod that both still work were thrown away. But people who understand the value of things picked them up.

These amazing vintage furniture pieces also got a new home.

“I found 2 gift cards in the dumpster at a local thrift shop. I just checked the balance on them and each one has $100 on it.”

“I found a saxophone. I’m going to sell it for $200 and pay off some of my class fees with it.”

“I found money in an old backpack that was thrown in the dumpster.”

“This is one of the craziest hauls in my 8 years of dumpster diving. Everything is new. I sold it all for $800.”

Have you ever picked up anything valuable that was thrown away because a person didn’t need it anymore?