dumpster
Large waste container
A dumpster is a large metal container for trash, typically with a hinged lid, designed to be lifted and emptied by a garbage truck.
The word comes from Dempster, the brand name of the company that patented the design.
To dumpster dive is to scavenge discarded items from such containers—for food, furniture, or other usable goods.
Discarded worthless material
- garbageDiscarded waste material
- refuseReject or garbage
- rubbishWaste or nonsense
- junkWorthless discarded items
debris · litter · scraps · detritus · leftovers · discards · spoilage · clutter
Cleanliness for public health
- waste managementRefuse collection and disposal
- haulageCommercial goods transport
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
- collectionGathered set of items
hauler · waste removal · curbside · municipal · landfill · transfer station · tipping · garbage truck
Storage or disposal vessel
- trashcanContainer for refuse
- skipTo deliberately exclude
- receptacleContainer for items
- compactorMachine that compresses materials
Ingrained surface dirt
- stenchPowerfully offensive odor
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- maggotsLarval flies
- fliesWinged buzzing pests
vermin · rats · raccoons · odor · slime · mold · leachate · putrid
Arranging into sequence
- recyclablesItems for reprocessing
- cardboardRigid paper for containers
- plasticsMoldable petroleum-based materials
- bottlesNarrow-necked liquid containers
cans · paper · composting · diversion · single-stream · contamination · separation
Gathering discarded or dead material
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
- salvageRecovering damaged goods
- treasure huntingSearching for hidden valuables
- curb shoppingTaking discarded items from sidewalks
gleaning · urban foraging · food rescue · picking · scrounging
Company's product line name
- genericizedMade into common term
- proprietaryLegally owned, restricted use
- trade nameCommercial product label
- BFIBritish cinema archive organization
trash
Discarded worthless material
junk · debris · litter · scraps · detritus · leftovers · discards · spoilage · clutter · castoffs
sanitation
Cleanliness for public health
- waste managementRefuse collection and disposal
- haulageCommercial goods transport
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
collection · hauler · waste removal · curbside · municipal · landfill · transfer station · tipping · garbage truck
bin
Storage or disposal vessel
- trashcanContainer for refuse
- skipTo deliberately exclude
- receptacleContainer for items
compactor · wastebin · lid · wheels · enclosure · corral · chute
grime
Ingrained surface dirt
flies · vermin · rats · raccoons · odor · slime · mold · leachate · putrid · rancid
sorting
Arranging into sequence
- recyclablesItems for reprocessing
- cardboardRigid paper for containers
- plasticsMoldable petroleum-based materials
bottles · cans · paper · composting · diversion · single-stream · contamination · separation
scavenging
Gathering discarded or dead material
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
- salvageRecovering damaged goods
- treasure huntingSearching for hidden valuables
curb shopping · gleaning · urban foraging · food rescue · picking · scrounging
brand
Company's product line name
- genericizedMade into common term
- proprietaryLegally owned, restricted use
- trade nameCommercial product label
- constructionconstruction site, building site, hammer, building, beam
- construction sitehard hat, hard hats, foreman, cones, cranes
- waste managementwaste, trash, garbage, rubbish, refuse
- construction equipmentbackhoe, bulldozer, excavator, crane, forklift
- urban neighborhoodneighborhood, block party, corner store, sidewalk, stoop
- wastetrash, garbage, rubbish, refuse, debris
dumpsterwastebasket
Container for refuse
trash can · wastepaper basket · litter bin · pedal bin · bathroom bin
dumpstersafe
Free from peril
vault · archive · hope chest · time capsule · museum case
dumpstertreasure chest
Locked box for valuables
jewelry box · trophy case · reliquary · treasure vault · strongbox
- dumpster fireHopelessly botched situation
- dumpster divingSalvaging from discarded refuse
- dumpster diveRummage through refuse containers
- dumpster diverPerson salvaging from waste containers