A Brisbane family has revealed how dumpster diving for discarded supermarket food has slashed their grocery bills by up to $10,000 a year. Emelie Watson, 41, and her husband Jon have made retrieving food from supermarket bins a key part of their lifestyle, alongside growing their own produce and reducing waste.
The couple, who run the blog Living More With Less, now spend just $40 a week on groceries for items not found in bins. Watson said they primarily dive on weekends, as charities like OzHarvest collect unused food from major stores during the week. Common finds include bakery goods like bread and muffins, and seasonal produce such as blueberries and strawberries.
Watson emphasized that they only access bins on public property, such as shopping centre carparks, and avoid entering private premises. Legal expert Avinash Singh, a criminal lawyer at Astor Legal, confirmed that dumpster diving is generally legal in Australia if items are in bins for disposal, as abandonment removes the risk of theft charges. However, entering enclosed private land to access bins could result in trespassing charges.
To ensure safety, Watson checks use-by dates and thoroughly washes all items. She avoids meat and animal products due to higher risks. The family donates the money saved to charities addressing global poverty and malnutrition.
Watson shares her dumpster diving tips on TikTok, receiving mixed reactions. While some criticize the practice, others have been inspired to try it themselves. She advises accepting both positive and negative feedback.
