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12wonderY
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/28/three-charged-vagrancy-act-food-s...
I've not personally collected discarded foods, but I've read about the trend.
Opinions?
I see the grocery chain is puzzled over the decision to press charges.
I've not personally collected discarded foods, but I've read about the trend.
Opinions?
I see the grocery chain is puzzled over the decision to press charges.
2razzamajazz
I am not a resident of this country.
Is this act of stealing from an "enclosed compound " of a supermarket , a crime?
When the grocery chain do not pressed the charges, the police should have dropped the case of stealing according to a vagrancy act,1824 ? It is more relevant at that time, but not now.
Maybe, the three guys unaware that they have trespassed into a "private" property, and not really stealing but merely to scavenger "food waste" that they feel it is alright to consume at their own health's safety. They are actually trying to sustain themselves with food waste. It is a sad situation. No one is injured or killed in the process of their actions. But, merely to survive.
Is it a crime to do scavenging when the "food waste" is going into a dumping area as landfill?
Let them go free and warned, and they should have ask for permission to request for the food waste from the supermarket in the first place, and not trespassing into their premises by climbing over the fence, a silly act.
Is this act of stealing from an "enclosed compound " of a supermarket , a crime?
When the grocery chain do not pressed the charges, the police should have dropped the case of stealing according to a vagrancy act,1824 ? It is more relevant at that time, but not now.
Maybe, the three guys unaware that they have trespassed into a "private" property, and not really stealing but merely to scavenger "food waste" that they feel it is alright to consume at their own health's safety. They are actually trying to sustain themselves with food waste. It is a sad situation. No one is injured or killed in the process of their actions. But, merely to survive.
Is it a crime to do scavenging when the "food waste" is going into a dumping area as landfill?
Let them go free and warned, and they should have ask for permission to request for the food waste from the supermarket in the first place, and not trespassing into their premises by climbing over the fence, a silly act.
3milotooberry
Actually trying them for a crime would have put a dent in Iceland's reputation as a progressive nation. Thankfully, the charges have been dropped. Let's hope this kind of thing does not happen more, or dumpster diving may become even more hazardous.
I know my library would not be the same if I was unable to hit the bins behind my favorite bookstores!
I know my library would not be the same if I was unable to hit the bins behind my favorite bookstores!
4jjwilson61
Actually the dumpster was in the UK, behind a supermarket called Iceland.
52wonderY
Yeah, I had that disorientation too when I first found the story.
Dumpster-diving is one of those odd not really legal activities because you pretty much have to be trespassing to do it in many places. Trash picking offends many people too, and there have been efforts to make it illegal. But once it's tossed, the owner has given up rights and declared its worthlessness to them. So I'm not sure how they're coming up with such a high value in the prosecution.
Growing up, there was an old bum who pulled a wagon behind him down the alleys on trash day. My mom once confided to me that he was actually a fairly wealthy man, made so by his salvaging and re-selling what others disposed of.
I personally keep my eyes open for scavenge items. I once furnished an entire apartment with just two weeks of looking.
Dumpster-diving is one of those odd not really legal activities because you pretty much have to be trespassing to do it in many places. Trash picking offends many people too, and there have been efforts to make it illegal. But once it's tossed, the owner has given up rights and declared its worthlessness to them. So I'm not sure how they're coming up with such a high value in the prosecution.
Growing up, there was an old bum who pulled a wagon behind him down the alleys on trash day. My mom once confided to me that he was actually a fairly wealthy man, made so by his salvaging and re-selling what others disposed of.
I personally keep my eyes open for scavenge items. I once furnished an entire apartment with just two weeks of looking.
6southernbooklady
Wouldn't dumpster diving for food be a health risk? Effectively a public safety issue?
72wonderY
Isn't hunger a public safety issue as well?
I see that the police have responded to the overwhelming outcry and decided not to prosecute.
It seems the incident has sparked some useful dialog about food waste.
I read recently that sold by dates are extremely arbitrary, with little science to back them. I know I've never gotten sick because of eating out of date foods.
I see that the police have responded to the overwhelming outcry and decided not to prosecute.
It seems the incident has sparked some useful dialog about food waste.
I read recently that sold by dates are extremely arbitrary, with little science to back them. I know I've never gotten sick because of eating out of date foods.
8razzamajazz
Are consumers protected by law from retailers selling expired canned foods or medicine?
I believe that these "cheaters" selling expired food, vegetables and etc..should be fined.
This apply also to defective goods. Consumer protection must be applied in these cases to get full refunds.
I believe that these "cheaters" selling expired food, vegetables and etc..should be fined.
This apply also to defective goods. Consumer protection must be applied in these cases to get full refunds.
9southernbooklady
>7 2wonderY: Isn't hunger a public safety issue as well?
Sure. But allowing people to eat out of dumpsters might not be the way to alleviate it. Seems kind of harsh to say, "go ahead, but you might get sick."
Sure. But allowing people to eat out of dumpsters might not be the way to alleviate it. Seems kind of harsh to say, "go ahead, but you might get sick."
10Helcura
I wouldn't have gotten through grad school without dumpster diving. There was an awesome bagel place that would neatly put all their bagels at the end of the day into a nice clean bag and toss it in the dumpster. I'm sure I'm not the only one who staved off a hungry night with those bagels. I also hope I'm not the only one who patronized the place once I got some money - I always felt like they deserved a reward for feeding me when I was really hungry - even if they didn't know they were doing it.
112wonderY
And conversely, I worked at a Starbucks shop in a bookstore which required us to buy lousy frozen foods from corporate, place a particular amount out at a time, toss after just hours, and first make sure it was inedible for scroungers.
12razzamajazz
Do you know that scavenging is a crime in LA?
The poor sold recycles from the trash for cash.
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/03/to_scavenge_or_not_to_scavenge.php
The poor sold recycles from the trash for cash.
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/03/to_scavenge_or_not_to_scavenge.php
13milotooberry
I don't think scavenging for food is a public safety issue. If people want to take the risk, that should be their choice. The seller already declared the food worthless (to them). Those expiration dates don't have anything to do with when the food goes bad anyway. It has much more to do with making sure products on the shelf are cosmetically pleasing to people who don't know what real food looks like.
Anyone skeptical about this should check out the reddit thread on it:
http://www.reddit.com/r/DumpsterDiving/
Dumpster diving has greatly improved many peoples' lives. It also highlights the massive amount of institutionalized waste in the corporate food system.
Anyone skeptical about this should check out the reddit thread on it:
http://www.reddit.com/r/DumpsterDiving/
Dumpster diving has greatly improved many peoples' lives. It also highlights the massive amount of institutionalized waste in the corporate food system.
14southernbooklady
>13 milotooberry: I don't think scavenging for food is a public safety issue.
I do. Anything in a dumpster is by definition outside the requirements communities put in place to ensure safe conditions. It's not just expiration dates, but issues of contamination, not to mention contending with other foragers--bugs, birds, bats, rats.
But in any case, I think that if the issue under debate is to highlight how wasteful our society can be (is there anything more wasteful than a restaurant?) then opening up the dumpsters to foraging is not the way to address the problem-- serving smaller portions, becoming more efficient at recycling, creating methods to cart away vegetable waste for compost, etc is the way to address it.
But if the issue is feeding people who are hungry, then once again, saying "hey, feel free to have at what's in the dumpster" is the exact wrong way to deal with the problem. Dumpster access is not a viable safety net for the hungry.
I do. Anything in a dumpster is by definition outside the requirements communities put in place to ensure safe conditions. It's not just expiration dates, but issues of contamination, not to mention contending with other foragers--bugs, birds, bats, rats.
But in any case, I think that if the issue under debate is to highlight how wasteful our society can be (is there anything more wasteful than a restaurant?) then opening up the dumpsters to foraging is not the way to address the problem-- serving smaller portions, becoming more efficient at recycling, creating methods to cart away vegetable waste for compost, etc is the way to address it.
But if the issue is feeding people who are hungry, then once again, saying "hey, feel free to have at what's in the dumpster" is the exact wrong way to deal with the problem. Dumpster access is not a viable safety net for the hungry.
15razzamajazz
Throwing waste food ,unsold food or near expired food in dumpsters/waste bins is the wrong way for getting rid of unwanted food.
Why not, the extra food ,near expired canned food or perishable food being unsold at cafes,restaurants,supermarkets,megamarts or any food outlets especially the franchise companies -MacDonald, Burger King, Wendy need volunteers to deliver these food to breadline outlets, children's homes(orphanages),charitable homes, needy families in low-income districts on free-of-charge basis to sustain their hunger for not being able to purchase these food due to lack of hard cash.
Maybe, the NGOs,( non-governmental agencies) should have more pools of volunteers willing to use their personal modes of transportation and time to deliver these food to the poor and needy families ,homeless people, poor individuals at their own expenses or expenses incurred being donated or foot by the rich individuals and charitable foundations.
Unwanted food can be put aside for collection instead of putting in dumpsters near to the end of business hours of food outlets and mega supermarkets. Collection to be done on first come,first served basis in person maybe with the use of food coupons issued to the poor and needy persons living nearby to avoid confusion and stampede at the queue lines.
Why not, the extra food ,near expired canned food or perishable food being unsold at cafes,restaurants,supermarkets,megamarts or any food outlets especially the franchise companies -MacDonald, Burger King, Wendy need volunteers to deliver these food to breadline outlets, children's homes(orphanages),charitable homes, needy families in low-income districts on free-of-charge basis to sustain their hunger for not being able to purchase these food due to lack of hard cash.
Maybe, the NGOs,( non-governmental agencies) should have more pools of volunteers willing to use their personal modes of transportation and time to deliver these food to the poor and needy families ,homeless people, poor individuals at their own expenses or expenses incurred being donated or foot by the rich individuals and charitable foundations.
Unwanted food can be put aside for collection instead of putting in dumpsters near to the end of business hours of food outlets and mega supermarkets. Collection to be done on first come,first served basis in person maybe with the use of food coupons issued to the poor and needy persons living nearby to avoid confusion and stampede at the queue lines.
172wonderY
To Cut Waste, U.K. Grocery Chain Will Sell Products Past 'Best Before' Dates
The Food Standards Agency says the U.K. throws away nearly 8 million tons of food and drink each year, with its manufacturing and retail sector wasting an additional 2 million tons. The co-op anticipates that its new program will save more than two tons of food waste annually.
The Food Standards Agency says the U.K. throws away nearly 8 million tons of food and drink each year, with its manufacturing and retail sector wasting an additional 2 million tons. The co-op anticipates that its new program will save more than two tons of food waste annually.
182wonderY
from February, another NPR story
For Food Manufacturers, 'Sell By' Labels May Have Reached Their Expiration Date
Two of the most influential groups in the food industry are asking companies to change those pesky "expiration" or "sell by" labels on packaged food.
The labels, you see, don't mean what they appear to mean. Foods don't "expire." Most foods are safe to eat even after that "sell by" date has passed. They just may not taste as good, because they're not as fresh anymore. Companies use the labels to protect the reputation of their products – they want consumers to see and consume their food in as fresh a state as possible. But those dates often have the perverse effect of convincing over-cautious consumers to throw perfectly good food into the trash.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute are hoping to prevent that. They're now advising their members, which include most major food manufacturers and retailers, to abolish many current labels, including "Expires on" and "Sell by."
Instead, they're asking companies to use just two labels. One would use the words "Best if used by" a particular date. This label would probably go on most foods. And companies could put a "Use by" date on products that could become less safe as they age. Brian Kennedy, a spokesman for the GMA, said the second label might go on packages of shucked raw oysters, for example.
Some environmental advocacy groups, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, have been pushing for such a reform for a long time. They say the existing labels have been an obstacle to reducing food waste. Last year, the USDA issued a guidance document that asked companies voluntarily to adopt one universal label, using the words "Best if used by."
Expiration dates on food are not required by any federal law, although some states require such dates on meat or milk. As a food product passes its "expiration" date, it may get stale, and some products, like milk, may go sour. But according to food safety experts, most spoiled foods, though unpalatable, aren't particularly hazardous.
For Food Manufacturers, 'Sell By' Labels May Have Reached Their Expiration Date
Two of the most influential groups in the food industry are asking companies to change those pesky "expiration" or "sell by" labels on packaged food.
The labels, you see, don't mean what they appear to mean. Foods don't "expire." Most foods are safe to eat even after that "sell by" date has passed. They just may not taste as good, because they're not as fresh anymore. Companies use the labels to protect the reputation of their products – they want consumers to see and consume their food in as fresh a state as possible. But those dates often have the perverse effect of convincing over-cautious consumers to throw perfectly good food into the trash.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute are hoping to prevent that. They're now advising their members, which include most major food manufacturers and retailers, to abolish many current labels, including "Expires on" and "Sell by."
Instead, they're asking companies to use just two labels. One would use the words "Best if used by" a particular date. This label would probably go on most foods. And companies could put a "Use by" date on products that could become less safe as they age. Brian Kennedy, a spokesman for the GMA, said the second label might go on packages of shucked raw oysters, for example.
Some environmental advocacy groups, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, have been pushing for such a reform for a long time. They say the existing labels have been an obstacle to reducing food waste. Last year, the USDA issued a guidance document that asked companies voluntarily to adopt one universal label, using the words "Best if used by."
Expiration dates on food are not required by any federal law, although some states require such dates on meat or milk. As a food product passes its "expiration" date, it may get stale, and some products, like milk, may go sour. But according to food safety experts, most spoiled foods, though unpalatable, aren't particularly hazardous.
192wonderY
A new business model in Berlin
Dumpster diving for those who don't like diving into dumpsters.
Put simply, SirPlus has agreements with major food producers and retailers to take edible food they would otherwise dump and sell it for a big discount at their small store in Berlin's Charlottenburg district.
It's a win-win situation. The companies get good PR for avoiding food waste and save on garbage disposal, while consumers get bread, soy milk, baby food or juice at a massive discount of up to 70 percent. SirPlus does plan to make a profit with the enterprise, although they are quick to point out that they will give 20 percent of that to charity.
Dumpster diving for those who don't like diving into dumpsters.
Put simply, SirPlus has agreements with major food producers and retailers to take edible food they would otherwise dump and sell it for a big discount at their small store in Berlin's Charlottenburg district.
It's a win-win situation. The companies get good PR for avoiding food waste and save on garbage disposal, while consumers get bread, soy milk, baby food or juice at a massive discount of up to 70 percent. SirPlus does plan to make a profit with the enterprise, although they are quick to point out that they will give 20 percent of that to charity.
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