Minnesota might be an attractive place to dumpster dive, but there are a few things that you need to prepare before starting. Understanding the local laws is on the top of the list, as abiding by the laws will keep you legally safe, and you can start dumpster diving well.
Is dumpster diving illegal in Minnesota? No, it is not, but here we will share some dumpster diving laws in Minnesota that you must follow.
Dumpster Diving in Minnesota
Minnesota is the state that attracts lots of dumpster divers because of how much stuff you can find here. There are 17 huge shopping malls in Minnesota and thousands of apartments, making it a great destination for dumpster divers.
These shopping malls have over 2900 stores, significantly increasing the chances of finding some good stuff.
In Minnesota, there are lots of locations and places where the North Star State is the most popular. Some others include:
- Downtown East
- Fulton
- Linden Hills
- Saint Paul
- Duluth
- Rochester
- East Isles, etc.
The best part is that dumpster diving is not prohibited anywhere in the state, so you can go for it wherever you are. You just need to be careful about the local rules and regulations because some localities have changed rules.
Also, be very careful about trespassing because that’s the only thing that can get you in trouble.
Dumpster Diving Laws in Minnesota
When it comes to dumpster diving laws in Minnesota, there are no specific laws about dumpster diving itself. However, there are laws about things that are related to dumpster diving, and the most common one is trespassing.
To understand it, you must understand how the ownership of trash in the dumpsters works here.
- Ownership of trash on private property
In most cities and localities, there will be no laws restricting you from dumpster diving, but they will restrict you from going on private property.
Remember that whenever a dumpster is present on private property, everything present inside is also private property. If you take anything from it, that will be considered theft.
- Ownership of trash on public property
If someone has their dumpster and its trash on their private property, it is theirs. As soon as they move it out and place it on public property, they abandon any rights of ownership to the stuff present in that dumpster. Diving in such dumpsters is legal.
Is Dumpster Diving illegal in Minnesota?
No, Dumpster Diving is not illegal and is completely allowed in the whole state. While dumpster diving itself is allowed without any restrictions, there are some trespassing rules and local city policies that you must adhere to. It is because dumpster diving will never get you in trouble, but getting on private property can get you in trouble.
One common thing you may get will be a trespassing fine regardless of you being caught on residential private or commercial private property. Considering the rules about trespassing into private properties, another thing that you can be charged for is theft because, technically, you are stealing from private dumpsters.
As long as a dumpster is present on private property, there is no way by which you can go in and check the stuff without the owner’s permission. To clarify, private properties with dumpsters inside often have fences and “NO TRESPASSING” signs at the entrance.
So, when you get inside such a property, you can get charges like:
- Illegal dumping
- Bad behavior
- Trespassing
- Theft
- Littering
It means a bad action from your end can turn something legal into an illegal act because you were not following all the details. While dumpster diving is not illegal in Minnesota, it is still necessary that you avoid diving near a fenced or gated property.
Even if the property is open, it has or does not have a trespassing sign, and you are aware that it is not public property, you must not let the dumpster dive there.
In such circumstances, the safest way to dumpster dive is to get permission from the owners, licenses, and permits for dumpster diving on private property. Another way where you will always stay safe is to only dumpster dive on public property.
Is dumpster diving illegal in Saint Paul, Minnesota?
No, dumpster diving is not illegal in Saint Paul, Minnesota, because it is legal in the whole state. However, you must look out for any trespassing signs.
Is dumpster diving illegal in Rochester, Minnesota?
No, it is allowed to dumpster dive in Rochester as long as you are doing it on public property. If you want to go on private property, permissions are necessary.
Is dumpster diving illegal in Duluth, Minnesota?
No, dumpster diving is legal in the whole Minnesota state, so it is also legal in Duluth. However, there could be changes in your local rules, so be careful.
What happens if you get caught dumpster diving in Minnesota?
Going inside any private property without permission and dumpster diving means that you are trespassing and stealing stuff from private property. So, you can get trespassing fines, but if you take permission before going inside, there will be no such issues.
For the stores and malls, you can get banned from there permanently.
Additionally, if you are dumpster diving on public property and a cop catches you causing littering and disturbance, you can also be charged for this bad activity. So, knowing all the rules and good practices for both public properties and private properties is necessary.
Best places to go dumpster diving in Minnesota?
Minnesota is the state that provides rich destinations for dumpster diving. If you are dumpster diving to find the best stuff, then make sure that you never miss any of these places:
- The retail stores here
- Video game stores
- Construction sites
- The grocery stores
- Yard sales
- Cosmetic stores
You need to know all this information before visiting any of these places.
How much can someone make from dumpster diving in Minnesota?
Dumpster diving can be a great side hustle if you have all the time you need to invest. Some people consider it their full-time job, which is not impossible, but it is extremely hard to manage. However, if you put in all the time and effort, you can earn around $3000 to $4000 weekly in a good month.
Remember that it will not work like any other mode of earning.
Some days may go too rough, while some may go too well. Similarly, you may end up stocking up on stuff that nobody is buying on the online marketplaces. How much you earn from dumpster diving also depends on the factors like your goals from dumpster diving.
The earning chances will change depending on what you pick and what you are picking it for.
- Are you looking for stuff to consume
- Do you want to find stuff you will personally use
- Are you purely looking for sellable items
With that said, managing dumpster diving as your full-time career will not be easy, and it is not something that you should rely on in the long run.
Best time to dumpster dive in Minnesota
The best time to dumpster dive here while legal is the whole day. So, there will be no issues whether you dumpster dive during the night or the day. However, if you consider the performance aspect, you need to go during the early morning or late night as most places throw out their trash during this time.
You can attract a crowd during the other hours, and most dumpster divers are out at that time. So, the chances of finding something good will be less.
Tips for dumpster divers in Minnesota
It’s important to do dumpster diving in Minnesota in a good way to get the maximum out of it.Here are a few that you can rely on while you are out diving.
- It is a great idea to carry a cutter when going dumpster diving. It helps in cutting the bags and boxes open easily.
- Always get proper permission before going inside any private property for dumpster diving.
- Whether you are dumpster diving on public or private property(with permission), it is advised that you stay low and make as little noise as possible.
- Never cause littering around the dumpsters because even if you are doing everything legally, you can get charged for this misconduct.
- While diving dumpsters, try to cover as many locations and dumpsters as possible. It will increase your chances of finding something good easily.
With all of these things, carrying a bag will be very helpful because you can carry whatever you find in your bag easily.
Final Words
When you consider dumpster diving in Minnesota on a state level, it is not illegal. However, some differences in your locality, city, or country may restrict you from it.
So, the most important thing is to stay up to date with your local rules, as this way, you will learn much more about how you can use efficiently dumpster dive in Minnesota.
