dumpsters
Large waste containers
Dumpsters are large metal containers for trash, typically found behind businesses and apartment buildings.
The word comes from the Dempster Dumpster, a trademarked waste container, though the lowercase form now functions as a generic term.
To dumpster dive is to search through dumpsters for discarded items—whether for food, furniture, or sellable goods.
Discarded waste material
- trashDiscarded worthless material
- refuseReject or garbage
- disposalAct of throwing away
- landfillWaste burial ground
rubbish · discarded · hauling · compactor · collection · bins · lids · pickup
Narrow urban passage
- parking lotOutdoor vehicle storage area
- loading dockRaised platform for freight
- commercialPaid broadcast promotion
- restaurantPlace serving meals
retail · industrial · construction · demolition · enclosure · graffiti · streetscape · back lot
Gathering discarded or dead material
- salvageRecovering damaged goods
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
- reclaimedTaken back; salvaged
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
finds · discards · edible · rescue · gleaning · surplus · urban foraging · haul
Gradual reduction in level
- construction siteWhere edifices get erected
- renovationRestoring to good condition
- cleanoutThorough emptying or removal
- haul awayRemove by transporting
cubic yards · delivery · removal · temporary · project · debris removal · contractor · demolition
garbage
Discarded waste material
landfill · rubbish · discarded · hauling · compactor · collection · bins · lids · pickup · sanitation
alleyway
Narrow urban passage
- parking lotOutdoor vehicle storage area
- loading dockRaised platform for freight
- commercialPaid broadcast promotion
restaurant · retail · industrial · construction · demolition · enclosure · graffiti · streetscape · back lot · service area
scavenging
Gathering discarded or dead material
treasure · finds · discards · edible · rescue · gleaning · surplus · urban foraging · haul · donation
rolloff
Gradual reduction in level
- construction siteWhere edifices get erected
- renovationRestoring to good condition
- cleanoutThorough emptying or removal
haul away · cubic yards · delivery · removal · temporary · project · debris removal · contractor · demolition · moving
- trash binstrash cans, garbage cans, rubbish bins, wheelie bins, recycling bins
- waste facilityrecycling bins, trash compactor, metal recycling, glass recycling, plastic recycling
- construction sitehard hat, hard hats, foreman, cones, cranes
- sanitationsewage, sewers, cleaning, sewer, disinfecting
- waste managementwaste, trash, garbage, rubbish, refuse
- Community Cleanuptrash bags, garbage bags, gloves, rakes, shovels
dumpstersrecycling bins
Containers for reprocessable waste
recycling centers · compost bins · donation bins · composters · salvage yards
dumpsterstreasure chests
Containers for stored valuables
vaults · safes · display cases · jewelry boxes · bank vaults
- dumpster fireHopelessly botched situation
- dumpster divingSalvaging from discarded refuse
- dumpster diveRummage through refuse containers
- dumpster diverPerson salvaging from waste containers