Dumpster diving sounds more dramatic than it really is. You don’t need to cannonball into heaps of refuse to find free things in the trash. In fact, you’re probably better off just lifting the lid and peeking in. The UBC campus is full of garbage bins, but some yield sweeter fruits than others. Whether you’re seeking scrap for a DIY construction project or a new hobo chic outfit, or just lunch, this rundown of the best diving locations on campus should help you separate trash from treasure.

CLOTHING

Try hitting the dumpsters by Totem and Vanier near the beginning and end of the term, when people are cleaning out their wardrobes. Even on an off day, I managed to find a pair of pants covered in what was, hopefully, tartar sauce. Your new threads may not fit perfectly, but beggars can’t be choosers. Oh, and make sure you wash the clothes before you try them on.

FURNITURE

Fairview and Acadia are the destinations of choice for battered bureaus and dilapidated side tables. It’s worth trying faculty buildings as well, though. I found a pristine Ikea bookcase­—shelves and all—by the Biological and Chemical Engineering Building on East Mall. The loading dock at Vanier is lined with residency chairs. They may not technically be “garbage,” though, so proceed with caution. The same goes for the milk crates stacked on the SUB loading dock.

FOOD

Don’t even try. The only places on campus where potentially useable food gets discarded use trash compactors, and getting moldy bread for free isn’t worth the risk of being pressed into a bloody cube of flesh. You’d be better off hitting up Sprouts on Friday between 11:30am–1:30pm for Community Eats (free or by donation).

APPLIANCES

As with clothing, the beginning and end of term are the best times to find culinary accoutrements. I got my toaster oven from a dumpster not far from Rits. The labels are in Chinese, but it has worked fine all year. Behind Macmillan, I found a charcoal grill. Right now, the pickings are slim. Just wait until everybody goes home and hit the bins.

TIME MACHINE COMPONENTS

Aspiring Tony Starks should be able to find all the parts they need for their basement projects in the UBC dumpsters. There are vats by the Brimacombe Building filled with discarded pipes, valves and assorted mechanical–looking things.
In a small bin by the Manufacturing Automation Lab (near Applied Sciences), I dug up a busted shop vac and a couple pairs of still–useable work gloves. The dumpster by the Ponderosa Annex yielded server racks and ethernet cables. By Hugh Dempster I found a bin full of scrap wood and PVC piping. And behind the bookstore, there is a laboratory incubator with its guts hanging out. With a little creativity, I’m sure you could use these items to brew up a pneumatic tube system or some sort of ultra-complex sex toy.

TIPS

Do your diving at night to avoid strange looks from passersby, and bring a partner to help haul off heavier items. If you plan on digging deep, dress in something you don’t mind getting covered in garbage juice, and wear gloves. Do your best to avoid anyone in a uniform or a labeled vehicle. Digging in the trash may not be technically against the rules, but you’ll avoid a lot of hassle by keeping your activities discrete. At the same time, if someone stops you, stick to your guns. You’re not doing anything wrong—just finding a use for something otherwise destined for the landfill.
That’s the point, right? You’re helping out Mother Earth, and picking up some free swag at the same time. It may involve getting your hands dirty, but the old cliché is true: Beggars can’t be choosers.