Scavengers Capitalize on College Move-Out Season, Salvaging High-Value Items

High-end Valentino sneakers priced at $980, a Tovala toaster oven retailing for $390, and a Clear Home Design Lucite table worth $899 were among the unexpected treasures found discarded at no cost.

Lena Geller discovered these and many more valuable items in the trash room of her Durham, North Carolina apartment complex after numerous Duke University students moved out at the end of the spring term.

Expressing dismay at the volume of discarded goods, Ms. Geller documented approximately 70 items in a detailed spreadsheet and estimated their combined retail value at around $6,600.

She noted that friends suggested turning her finds into a business venture, highlighting the potential profitability of collecting unused, high-value items left behind by students.

Every year during graduation season, many students abandon or throw away expensive household goods and luxury products instead of donating or taking them home. Local scavengers have stepped in to reclaim these items for reuse or resale, often sharing their discoveries on social media platforms.

Peter Valley, a 47-year-old software entrepreneur, has long made a side income by collecting and reselling discarded college textbooks. He views campuses as an abundant source of valuable items that can be reused, sold, or donated.

Reflecting on his early experiences dumpster diving at Caltech, he recalled acquiring thousands of dollars’ worth of books from the campus recycling center, an eye-opening moment that revealed a viable business opportunity.

While currently focused on his primary software business, Mr. Valley continues to earn a modest monthly income from book resales, with occasional months yielding five-figure returns.

Social Media Haul Videos Spotlight College Dumpster Finds

Spring move-out season triggers a surge in social media videos showcasing scavengers’ hauls from college dorm dumpsters. One TikTok video by user @bethanytaylorr, featuring rescued household items, has amassed nearly four million views.

These posts act both as advertisements for items and as practical guides for others interested in scavenging.

Megan Godinez, whose TikTok account boasts nearly 500,000 followers, emphasizes that her goal is to divert usable goods from landfills, passing them on to people who need them. She differentiates college scavenging from dumpster diving behind large retail stores, noting that college finds often include essential household supplies like cleaning products and laundry detergent.

Carla Manlapaz, 62, also recovers numerous household items near a Texas college. Among her finds was a Fender guitar she hopes to sell online. She markets other goods on platforms such as Etsy and Poshmark.

Ms. Manlapaz describes the activity as exciting and fulfilling, noting that even in retirement, the thrill of finding valuable or usable items remains strong.

Dumpster diving around college campuses is a longstanding practice, but social media has elevated its visibility. Traditions like "Hippie Christmas" at the University of Wisconsin and "Allston Christmas" in Boston mark periods when students leave unwanted belongings on lawns and streets.

Historically, scavengers have timed their efforts around academic calendars to maximize their finds, a strategy noted by writers chronicling experiences with homelessness and resourcefulness.

In recent years, colleges have adopted upscale amenities resembling luxury brands, including high-end housing and athletic facilities. While these features raise costs, many parents invest heavily in decorating dorm rooms with premium goods.

Meanwhile, growing environmental concerns motivate young people to embrace secondhand items as a way to reduce waste and combat pollution.

Lisa Beiswenger, an assistant professor who has taught courses on dumpster diving, describes the practice as a form of resistance against consumerism. Her students learned that much of the 300 million tons of annual American waste includes perfectly usable items that could be reused or repurposed.

The Challenge of Excess and Equity in Scavenging

Rosalie E. Kerr, Dartmouth College’s sustainability director, attributes the surge in discarded goods to the "Amazonification" of consumer culture, where inexpensive, disposable products are just a click away.

The urgency of college move-outs compounds the problem, as students often accumulate more possessions than they can manage, leading to large quantities of items being thrown away.

Ms. Kerr acknowledges the significant amount of excess goods in this category.

Dumpster divers often astonish others with their finds, but the practice raises concerns about inequity. Not everyone has equal access or ability to scavenge safely, and some may face legal or social risks. There are also troubling accounts of racial bias affecting those who engage in dumpster diving.

Some universities have taken steps to reduce waste through organized donation drives. For instance, one institution recently diverted over 49,000 pounds of material valued at nearly $334,000 through coordinated collection efforts.

However, many campuses lack comprehensive programs to facilitate reuse or donation, leaving scavengers to fill the gap. Critics note that restricted access to campus areas hampers efforts to recover bulky items like mini fridges.

One waste expert described the annual sight of discarded goods as disheartening. Even while nearing the end of her pregnancy, she actively scavenged items including maple syrup and witnessed friends uncovering luxury clothing valued at over $2,000.

Experienced scavengers advise newcomers to target colleges with large international student populations, where certain bulky items are less likely to be taken home. They also recommend going in groups for safety and camaraderie and remind participants to prepare for sorting through trash.

Basic precautions like bringing hand sanitizer are encouraged to maintain hygiene during scavenging activities.