true dumpster diving question

[amazona]

I read the old thread on dumpster diving and I was interested to see that a lot of the posts were really about residential trash-picking, not true dumpster-diving. In my area, true dumpster diving has been at an end for over a decade because almost every dumpster is a compactor type that destroys the goodies. I wondered if anyone else has experienced this issue. It seems that many businesses would rather destroy the goodies than take a chance that anyone could be helped for free. Free groceries in particular are a thing of the past. :-(

[Lorien]

1. I know that it's tough in Columbus Ohio

they have these GIANT trash bins that are delivered by the city. It's meant to cut down on feral pets and wildlife, I guess, but they can also hold a dining room chair and many other items that would be appealing to dumpster divers. I don't know about the compactor type, though. What area do you live in?

[amazona]

2. south east Louisiana

It's a well-to-do area and EVERY store has a compactor so that anything good will be instantly crushed. :-( I actually had much better diving when I still lived in a suburban slum.