Essay #29: Jeff Ferrell, ‘Dumpster Diving as Direct Action‘

In this essay, Jeff Ferrell discusses his lifelong practice of ‘dumpster diving’ (trash picking, skip diving) as a form of anarchist direct action. He argues that dumpster diving constitutes a direct intervention into consumer waste, environmental harm, and economic inequality, while also helping to shape networks of anarchist mutual aid.

Jeff Ferrell is a retired professor of criminology and sociology. His latest books are Drift: Illicit Mobility and Uncertain Knowledge, published by University of California Press, and the forthcoming Last Picture, a collection of dumpster dived photographs, published by Atopia Projects.

Our music comes from Them'uns (featuring Yous'uns). Hear more at https://soundcloud.com/user-178917365

Artwork by Sam G: https://www.instagram.com/passerinecreations