Before this week, I never thought of “freeganism” as a particular ideology or lifestyle with valid reasons behind it; rather, I tended to look at “dumpster diving” as simply a gross and disgusting practice since it involves searching through trash, which can be quite unsanitary and possibly dangerous due to sharp objects, broken glass, and germs and bacteria that might be present in the dumpsters. However, as we discussed in class, I am now seeing that dumpster diving can be a positive practice in some ways, especially with regard to the reduction of waste; it can allow for the recovery of potentially usable items (including, but not limited to, food) that would otherwise end up in landfills. For some people, particularly those with limited financial resources, dumpster diving can be an effective way to secure necessary goods without needing to purchase them new. I also found it interesting that dumpster divers are often doing this willingly, and many also want to avoid working in jobs to earn money. It was surprising to learn that a significant portion of freegans are not dumpster diving out of desperation, but rather have the choice to live in this way or not. Therefore, while the practice may seem weird or unusual to many of us, it can also be viewed as a resourceful way to reduce damage to the environment when done safely and responsibly. I have never recovered food or any other material from a dumpster before, and I still do not see myself doing so, since the idea that I have always had of the “grossness” of dumpster diving is difficult to completely erase from my brain. However, after this week, I will be less prone to viewing the practices of all dumpster divers as merely “dirty” or “off-putting,” and will instead be more understanding and able to see the potential environmental benefits of their actions, even if I am too reluctant to do the same myself.