A 24-year-old has made more than £78,000 from rescuing and flipping other people’s rubbish.
Jonas Fernandez persuaded his dad to help him rummage through skips in his neighbourhood when he left school after being inspired by a fellow dumpster diver on YouTube. It is now his full-time job.
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Jonas said that he was looking for a quick way to make money when he left school and now he has made $100,000 (£78,000) selling items he finds on Facebook Marketplace and eBay.
Jonas, from Chicago, told https://whatsthejam.com/ he would often gift things he found to friends and family, or even give to those who were needy in the local community. He said he did not come from a wealthy family, so he knew what it was like not to have much, that was why he liked to be able to give back as much as he could.
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One of his biggest hauls was a skip full of unopened crisps which clocked up more than 7 million views on TikTok.
Jonas has found a vintage handbag that sold for more than £1,000, toys, electronics, gold coins, jewellery and an Olympic medal.
In an extension of his business, Jonas also checks the back of shops to see what has been thrown out.
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He warned anyone wanting to give dumpster diving a go to make sure they were aware of their surroundings, to take a torch and to take someone with them for safety.
Jonas added: “Once trash is put outside, it becomes public domain and anyone can grab it.”