Walsh 1

Quinn Walsh

English 102-110

Mr. Larry Neuburger

31 January 2011

On “On Dumpster Diving”

“On Dumpster Diving” is an article by Lars Eighner about one man’s thoughts on the action of

taking peoples garbage for personal use. In the essay he talks about how he started dumpster

diving and how he views the lifestyle. His beginnings came out of necessity. As money started to

run thin he began to collect the garbage of others to use for himself. “Boom boxes, candles,

bedding, dishes, furnishings, and change, sometimes amounting to many dollars,” (358) were

among the many things he mentions in his writing. He seems his experiences as pleasant, yet he

also acknowledges the risks behind what he does, such as the potential for diseases. He states

that he still contracts dysentery from time to time. This look at the dumpster diving is unlike

anything most people see. Mr. Eighner attempts to take the stigma off the lifestyle, and he does it

pretty well.