About us
DumpsterDiving101 was founded in 2015 by Ramona Caldwell after her personal dumpster diving blog exploded in popularity.
Our Mission
At DumpsterDiving101, our mission is to promote sustainable living by rescuing valuable discards and reducing waste. We educate and equip our community to dumpster dive safely, responsibly, and successfully. By diverting still-usable items from landfills, we lighten environmental burdens while providing access to free food, goods, materials and more.
Our Roots
DumpsterDiving101 was founded in 2015 by Ramona Caldwell after her personal dumpster diving blog exploded in popularity. As a lifelong San Franciscan passionate about zero-waste initiatives, Ramona saw an opportunity to take her DIY dumpster diving advice to the next level. She assembled a team of experts and hobbyists to create the ultimate online dumpster diving resource.
The DumpsterDiving101 Team
Our diverse team combines decades of academic expertise with real-world dumpster diving experiences from contrasting backgrounds. Get to know the passionate folks behind the scenes:
Ramona Caldwell
Founder & CEO
Paloma Quintana
Managing Editor
Tallulah Kingsley
Senior Writer
Rufus Hartfield
Lead Researcher
Spreading the Dumpster Diving Gospel
From its San Francisco headquarters, DumpsterDiving101’s content reaches a global audience through the website, social media channels, books, videos, presentations and workshops.
Our educational efforts cover:
- Dumpster Diving Basics
- Laws and regulations
- Diving etiquette and safety
- Locating prime dumpster spots
- Best practices for finding quality discards
- Dumpster Diving in Action
- Real-world dives and hauls
- Cooking with dumpster foods
- Up-cycling and repurposing finds
- Celebrating the dumpster diver lifestyle
Locating prime dumpster spots
Kids participate in
our camps
Counselors certified
for work
Locations all
over country
Square feet for your kids
The Dumpster Diving Movement
We’re part of a growing global movement embracing environmental stewardship through urban harvesting.
Our advocacy work includes:
- Lobbying for dumpster diving rights
- Protesting food waste
- Promoting freegan philosophies
- Building community solidarity
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a longtime dumpster diver or just dumpster curious, DumpsterDiving101 welcomes you to our ever-expanding community. Browse our free resources, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on social media. Our team is always here to answer questions and share inspiration for living more with less waste.
Let’s roll up our sleeves, open those dumpsters, and change the world – one reclaimed treasure at a time!