One person's trash is another's... dinner
If ever you've longed for a field guide to dumpster diving (er, freeganism) in Albany, this is your day. A clip from the piece on freegan.info:
Most commercial garbage is picked up everyday. Main sources for dumpster munchies are Dunkin Donuts and any bagel place. Avoid establishments that are open 24 hours because although they do thow out products they are more likely to harass you for picking through the garbage than an establishment that is already closed. A good place to start is the Dunkin Donuts in One commerce plaza on Washington Ave, they close at five pm, 7 pm would be a good time to start scouting, their garbage is right in front of their store just open the lid on the canister and pull out a bag of doughnuts.
When we see stuff like this it reminds us that there are whole other worlds and layers to this area -- we just don't notice them.
[via @AlbanyKelly]
photo: Flickr user Kamal H.
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Comments
You know, I got no problem with dumpster diving (hell, I was eyeing dressers on South Allen when I was getting ready to move), but I do have a problem with inconsistency.
Post September 11th the state has began to lock there garbage in locked trash containers, their garbage is picked up at around 5 am
REALLY? You can't just pick one and stick with it?
The meat vs meet thing? I just do not get it, my friends.
... said aj on Jun 12, 2009 at 2:41 PM | link
In college, a fellow resident of my dorm worked at Dunkin' Donuts. He convinced his manager (or maybe he never asked) to let him take the leftover donuts home. Periodically, we would wake up to find a garbage bag full of donuts on the kitchen counter.
... said LB on Jun 12, 2009 at 2:47 PM | link
I think someone should combine 'dumpster diving' with the World Naked Bike Ride so not only could you protest oil dependency and negative body image, but also get some day old baked goods in the process. Now that's something I'd be interested in.
Seriously though, it is a crime so much food is thrown away by these establishments so I am glad someone else is getting the goods.
... said Dawn on Jun 12, 2009 at 3:05 PM | link
do you know why they throw those donuts (or bagels) away? why not donate them to one of the shelters downtown?
... said Kristi on Jun 12, 2009 at 6:45 PM | link
do you know why they throw those donuts (or bagels) away? why not donate them to one of the shelters downtown?
... said Kristi on Jun 12, 2009 at 6:45 PM | link
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They do that in other cities. It's an organization called "Second Harvest".
... said Tommy on Jun 12, 2009 at 10:53 PM | link
Some eating establishments do donate their leftover food. Our church gets HUGE amounts of bread each week from Panera Bread; we distribute it to a local shelter, a home for the elderly, and to community people in need. Panera calls it their "Dough-Nation" program. You have to be a registered charity to take part in it. Granted, doughnuts aren't high on the nutrition scale, but just pitching them in the dumpster seems incredibly wasteful.
... said Chris on Jun 13, 2009 at 11:08 PM | link
I understand dumpster diving for books and furniture, but food....ouch.
... said Ajlouny on Jun 14, 2009 at 6:08 PM | link
Maybe she'll find a copy of The Elements of Style in one of those dumpsters.
... said Rob on Jun 15, 2009 at 10:33 AM | link
When the Latham Krispy Kreme was still in business they donated big bags of leftover donuts to the Regional Food Bank. I got to re-bag them into smaller quantities one Sunday.
... said Amy on Jun 15, 2009 at 11:59 AM | link