dumpster diver

upcycle

Creatively reuse discarded materials

• repurposeAdapt for new use
• reuseEmploy something again
• recycleProcess for renewed use

zero waste · waste reduction · circular economy · eco-friendly · environmentalism · conservation · anti-consumerism · reduce · food rescue · composting

subsist

Maintain minimal existence

• make doManage with insufficient resources
• resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
• ingenuityClever, original thinking

necessity · poverty · homelessness · food insecurity · hunger · desperation · cope · scrape by · get by · improvise

frugal

Sparing with resources

• secondhandHaving had prior ownership
• bargainFavorable purchase price
• budgetPlan for spending

savings · economical · cheap · thrifty · penny-pinching · cost-cutting · found objects · free stuff · curbside finds

salvage

Recovering damaged goods

• rummageSearch unsystematically through clutter
• forageSeek food actively
• gleanCollect in small increments

scrounge · retrieve · reclaim · sift · sort · gather · hunt · search · pick · rescue

alleyway

Narrow urban passage

• back alleyPassage behind buildings
• commercial districtArea zoned for trade
• loading dockRaised platform for freight

sidewalk · retail strip · apartment complex · grocery store · restaurant · bakery · supermarket · strip mall · trash day · bulk pickup

• garbage workersroute driver, helper, dustman, binman, garbageman
• salvagersscrap dealer, auto wrecker, wrecker, reclaimer
• cleanerscleaner, cleaners, maids, maid, detergent
• scavengersvulture, vultures, scavenger, hyena, hyenas
• urban wildlifepigeon, house mouse, brown rat, house sparrow, rat
• penny pincherscheapskate, miser, penny pincher, penny-pincher, scrooge