Down in the dumps

Chelsea Zaft

A widening subculture of people known as freegans are doing all they can to reduce waste, decrease use of resources, and avoid contributing to a consumer economy.Even if it means eating food found in a trash can and using furniture from the dump.
Coming from environmentalist and anti-globalization movements, freeganism began in the 90s and has gained popularity in the last year, particularly in New York City and Los Angeles.

A common activity among freegans are “trash tours” in which groups gather after grocery stores have closed and travel from dumpster to dumpster gathering food thrown away that evening.

Most stores throw out damaged products and produce that has minor dents or bruises.
Common finds are bread, fruit, and vegetables.

Goods collected are “safe, useable, clean, and perfect or near-perfect condition,” according to a website dedicated to the freegan lifestyle, freegan.info.

However, Whole Foods customer service team leader, Rena Styborski disagrees.

She says Whole Foods donates damaged products and anything edible to food banks and spoiled produce gets composted or sent back to their supplier for credit.

“Food thrown out is deemed inedible at that point because of temperature reasons or expiration dates,” added Styborski.

Another aspect of the freegan lifestyle is to gather furniture and common household items from the dumpster.

And while most wouldn’t consider the thought of eating from a trashcan, this is an idea easier to support.

Chris Givrato, an Audio Production Technology major at MCC, took a coffee pot he found in his apartment complex dumpster, still in it’s box.

When it comes to food he says, “I would do it if it meant survival, but couldn’t now.”

Music Business major, Bekki Magenneim recently accompanied a group of friends to California who had learned about freeganism on an episode of Oprah and wanted to try out a trash tour.

“I didn’t eat for a week,” Magenneim said, “My theory is that it’s thrown away for a reason.”

While salvaging waste may have positive effects on the environment and economy, one thing to keep in mind is its legal ramifications.

It is illegal to dumpster dive in Tempe and in Mesa one can be cited for trespassing on private property.

Fahad Al-Riyami, a Construction Management major, said he has taken a piece of furniture he saw sitting on the side of the street and, if broken, would use other items found in the trash.

For now though, Al-Riyami would prefer not to waste his time.

“I have more important things to do than look in a dumpster.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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