Why don’t stores like dumpster diving?

[redskulldangerzone64]

[WindAtMyBack]

Because some people leave a mess and because of liability.

I used to dumpster dive. When I was doing remodeling work I sometimes sold the stuff I pulled out of houses. When I realized how well some things sold I started getting more by dumpster diving. For example used carpet sold well if it was in good condition. So I'd go behind carpet stores and get carpet out of their dumpster and sell it. Adjusted for inflation, I could easily make $100-150 from one dumpster. Plus there is no nasty stuff in those dumpsters. It's just a bunch of carpet.

[NamerOfStars]

Bluntly, because it attracts homeless people, and that drives customers away. I once worked in a fast food place after spending months surviving off plasma donations, and it disgusted me the amount of food I saw people throw away. When I discovered just how much stuff we as a business would throw out, my heart broke; I asked the boss if there wasn't anything we could do to be more productive with it, and he explained that no, corporate policy was very clear on the subject.

I think it was only a few days after that that he stopped putting me on the closing shift, for fear I'd swipe the stuff we threw out. In fairness to him, I would've. Having to go to bed hungry makes you think that NOBODY should have to.

I would later wind up homeless myself (relative briefly, thankfully), and that just drove home the point further.

[Flower7]

Because they don’t make any money from it. They’d much rather have people come in during business hours and purchase the items rather than wait until the store is closed and grab the same stuff for free.

[exitseven]

The people that dumpster dive usually leave a mess behind and if they should somehow fall in the dumpster and get stuck there they could die and the store could face some liability.

[ShiftingMonke]

It's a risk if the person gets injured and sues the company or place of business.

[slatyb]

Because it's hazardous. If they permit it, they could be liable if someone is injured.