If you’ve never heard this word this word, it’s a combination (or if you wanna get fancy a “portmanteau”) of the words free and vegan. This doesn’t mean that all freegans are vegan – but freegans are definitely into getting things for free!
The basic premise of being a freegan is trying to get things for free – preferably things that would just be going to waste anyways. Freegans will do dumpster diving to “rescue” anything from cast off furniture, clothes, household items, and even food.
So, what are the basics of being a freegan?
- You avoid buying whenever possible. You make the most out of the clothing and other items you already have, and you certainly won’t be rushing out to get the latest Iphone.
- You try to get what you can for free by scavenging it. This doesn’t mean you steal things or get them illegally – you just find what would have been thrown away anyways, or has already been thrown out.
- You aren’t big on consumerism – you think it’s bad for society and for the environment.
- You want to minimize your environmental footprint on the world
Is being a freegan legal?
For the most part, yes. If you live somewhere there are anti-scavenger laws, this may not be true. A lot of stores try to discourage dumpster diving by not leaving out food in them – they’re concerned about being sued if people get sick.
So, is this something I should consider?
Good question. I don’t think I have the right personality to be a freegan. I’m a rather self-conscious person, and just can’t see myself jumping into dumpsters. I live in the same town as my parents, and if anyone I or they knew ever saw me, I’d never hear the end of it! I like to live a life style I’d consider a little less extreme than freeganism, but still environmentally and fiscally friendly (not wasting food, buying some clothes at thrift stores, taking public transit to work,etc.).
How about you? Would you ever consider being a freegan?
I don’t think I’d ever consider being a freegan. I am too self conscious to go jumping in dumpsters.
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You and me both!
Haha I would not be a freegan, however, I do tend to go cheap on my casual clothes and usually wear those out before buying new ones….I may just be a Scrooge not a freegan..
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Nothing wrong with being a Scrooge. Scrooges welcome here.
Great post Cat! No I don’t think I could go looking in dumpsters for food. The reality is that so many of these shops are tossing out tonnes of food with lots of life still left but no one wants to buy it. On the other hand I won’t run out to buy the latest and greatest and if I see something on the side of the road I like, I have no shame in taking it. I’ve picked up a $350 lawnmower, a lawn roller and many other items that work perfect! Mr.CBB
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Thanks MR. CBB. I understand about not dumpster diving for food, but sounds like you’ve picked up some great items for free !
I could never do it personally. I can’t even eat food in my fridge if I think it’s 1 day over the expiration date. I’m getting way better at not wasting food, but yeah it’s gotta be paid for from the store.
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I understand. I don’t even like eating food if I just think it’s been sitting too long!
We would definitely not be dumpster diving – I have a strong “eww” response. :/ However, we do happily scrounge the free section of Craigslist useful or resalable items.
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