A Portsmouth man has turned dumpster diving into a surprising source of income, rescuing thousands of pounds worth of discarded items from shop bins and earning around £600 every month.
From Trash to Treasure
Jake Stevens, 34, dedicates roughly four hours each night to scouring commercial rubbish bins. What started as a curious habit has evolved into a profitable venture, with his most remarkable finds including a £1,500 Gucci bag, antique jewellery, and a historic World War One Christmas tin.
"It's like an addiction," Jake admitted. "Some of the stuff they throw away is beyond me. I found £1,500 of jewellery in one night. There were gold rings and bracelets."
The Business of Bin Raiding
The volume of rescued items is so substantial that Jake now rents a storage unit the size of a shed, costing him £70 per month. He converts his finds into cash at car boot sales, with the monthly earnings of approximately £600 helping to cover household bills.
"We're not well off," Jake explained. "I sell everything at a car boot and it helps with bills. I've provided to friends and family. I give dog food to my friend."
His efforts have also significantly reduced his living costs. By rescuing edible items, he has cut his food shop by £50 a week, regularly finding bread, biscuits, flour, and eggs that are still perfectly good.
A Mission Against Waste
Beyond the financial gain, Jake is motivated by a desire to combat unnecessary waste. He is sharing his story to shed light on the vast quantity of usable products discarded by retailers.
"The amount we waste is not normal, and I'm breaking that cycle by making sure things go to use again," he stated. He suggests that charity shops, which are often overwhelmed with donations, could sell excess items for as little as £1 rather than discarding them.
While he has faced challenges, including being confronted by security, Jake is undeterred. He asserts that once items are in the bin, they no longer belong to the shop. He plans to continue his nightly rescues for as long as shops throw away "perfectly good stuff."
