Dumpster Dialing

Steven Averett, Content Director, Waste Group

February 1, 2007

1 Min Read
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Dumpster diving is a hobby that those in polite society would do well to avoid. However, should you find those odiferous metal treasure troves too tempting to resist, at least take time to properly equip yourself before you go under.

Consider the plight of a 41-year-old Detroit trash bin enthusiast who fell asleep while searching for recyclable cans and bottles. The unidentified man was awakened when he, along with the container's load of trash, was emptied into a garbage truck. As the truck began to compact its load, the man used his cell phone to dial 9-1-1. Dispatchers alerted police to be on the look out for all garbage trucks on the road. An officer eventually located the victim by banging on the side of a stopped truck and getting a response. The truck's load was dumped on a driveway, freeing the traumatized trash treasurer with only a scrape on his hand.

Cellular service providers are in the midst of a fierce bidding war to sign him to a promotional contract.
Source: Houston Chronicle

About the Author

Steven Averett

Content Director, Waste Group, Waste360

Steven Averett joined the Waste Age staff in February 2006. Since then he has helped the magazine expand its coverage and garner a range of awards from FOLIO, the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) and the Magazine Association of the Southeast (MAGS). He recently won a Gold Award from ASBPE for humor writing.

Before joining Waste Age, Steven spent three years as the staff writer for Industrial Engineer magazine, where he won a gold GAMMA Award from MAGS for Best Feature. He has written and edited material covering a wide range of topics, including video games, film, manufacturing, and aeronautics.

Steven is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned a BA in English.

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