She Eats Only From Dumpsters and Says It's Changed Her Life

For most people, grocery shopping is a weekly chore — one that involves checking lists, comparing prices, and hauling bags of food home. But for 30-year-old Sofie Juel-Anderson, grocery stores are a place she rarely visits. Instead, she finds all her food in dumpsters and hasn't spent more than $99 in grocery stores in the last year.

The Unexpected Beginning of a Lifestyle Change

Juel-Anderson, originally from Aarhus, Denmark, first discovered dumpster diving in October 2020 while living in Sydney, Australia. A friend introduced her to the idea, and she was immediately intrigued. She had heard about the concept but had never tried it herself. When she finally explored a supermarket dumpster, she was amazed at the quality of food that was being thrown away.

At first, Juel-Anderson focused on fresh produce, picking up discarded fruits and vegetables that were still in good condition. But as she continued, she realized she could essentially gather an entire week's worth of food from supermarket bins. The sheer volume of edible food being wasted convinced her to commit to dumpster diving as her primary means of obtaining groceries.

Financial Freedom Through Waste Reduction

Many people turn to dumpster diving out of necessity, but Juel-Anderson wasn't struggling to afford groceries. Instead, she saw it as a way to save money while also fighting food waste. The savings allowed her to work less and travel more, visiting places like Kenya, Argentina, Italy, Spain, and Dubai over the past four years.

Since moving back to Denmark in 2022, Juel-Anderson has continued her unconventional grocery routine. She now only buys non-food essentials like toilet paper and dishwashing soap from the store. She calculated her total supermarket expenses for 2024 and found that she had spent only $99 on non-food items.

She estimates that she saves thousands of dollars each year, allowing her to live a more flexible lifestyle. The money she saves on food goes toward experiences she values, like visiting friends across the globe and exploring new cultures.

What's Really in the Dumpster?

While some may assume that dumpster diving means eating spoiled or unsafe food, Juel-Anderson insists that's not the case. She carefully inspects all food before taking it, checking expiration dates and ensuring items are still fresh. Many items are discarded simply because of damaged packaging, nearing sell-by dates, or surplus inventory.

Supermarkets discard food for a variety of reasons, from damaged packaging to sell-by dates that don't necessarily indicate spoilage. Many products, including dry goods and canned items, remain perfectly safe long after their printed dates. Refrigerated items such as dairy and meat require more careful evaluation, but dumpster divers often rely on sight, smell, and texture to determine safety.

The growing popularity of dumpster diving communities on platforms like TikTok has highlighted the extent of this waste. Divers frequently find entire cases of packaged snacks, fresh produce, and even high-end goods like Apple AirPods and designer clothing — most of which were discarded simply due to store policies.

Turning Dumpster Diving Into a Family Activity

Juel-Anderson's passion for dumpster diving has spread to her family. Her parents, siblings, cousins, and even grandparents have joined her on dives. When they travel together, they even dumpster dive on family vacations, collecting and preparing meals entirely from discarded food.

She often prepares meals for her loved ones using rescued food, proving that high-quality, nutritious meals can be made entirely from discarded ingredients. Her family supports her efforts and appreciates the impact she is making in reducing waste.

Beyond personal benefits, she sees dumpster diving as an act of activism. She wants to challenge society's perception of waste and encourage more people to rethink how food is valued. By raising awareness, she hopes to push for better food waste management and encourage businesses to donate surplus food instead of discarding it.

A Growing Movement Against Food Waste

Dumpster diving is no longer a fringe activity — it has become a movement. Influencers on social media have built massive followings by showcasing their hauls and exposing wasteful practices. Hashtags like #DumpsterDiving have gained billions of views, further fueling discussions on sustainability.

Some cities and organizations have taken steps to combat food waste by encouraging grocery stores to donate surplus food instead of discarding it. In certain places, laws have been introduced to prevent supermarkets from throwing away edible food. However, the problem persists, making dumpster diving a practical, albeit unconventional, solution for many.

The Future of Food Shopping Without the Supermarket

Juel-Anderson's lifestyle may not be for everyone, but her experience challenges the idea that grocery shopping is the only way to get food. With food prices rising and waste levels at an all-time high, more people are considering alternatives like dumpster diving, community food sharing, and urban foraging.

For Juel-Anderson, the freedom and financial benefits outweigh any stigma attached to her unconventional lifestyle. She has embraced a way of life that allows her to travel, work less, and live sustainably. As the movement grows, the conversation around food waste and alternative food sources is changing.

Whether or not you're ready to dive into a dumpster yourself, Sofie's story makes one thing clear: our relationship with food — and what we consider waste — might need a second look.

References: Dumpster Diving Saved Me from Grocery Shopping for Four Years | Dumpster Divers Are Sharing Their Hauls of Everything from Gucci Ties to AirPods