If your first reaction towards the phrase “dumpster diving” is “eewwww”, Xin Yi is here to prove you wrong. The 33-year-old first forayed into freeganism three years ago, and hasn’t looked back since. Find out what keeps her motivated and what are some of her best finds. (P.S. You’ll be surprised!) 

What sparked your journey to becoming a freegan? 

An open invitation to dumpster diving, which I saw in the Facebook group Journey To Zero Waste. I have been interested in reducing waste and avoiding single-use packaging. But with that comes a mindset of scarcity, because not many shops at that point were open to the idea of me bringing my own container. 

Being a freegan introduced another way of reducing waste. Rather than creating demand for new products and trying to reduce packaging, why not consume existing items that would have been thrown away if not diverted from the bin?

“Rather than creating demand for new products and trying to reduce packaging, why not consume existing items that would have been thrown away if not diverted from the bin?”

What were some of your best finds? 

• A brand new Muji mirror from an art exhibition at work
• An almost-new and discontinued Ikea sofa cover that is the same colour and model as the one I have at home.
• A pair of new pirated Adidas shoes that fit me – such a Cinderella moment!
• A clear cantilever-style Ikea chair
• A new-ish bean bag 
• A Kenwood breadmaker from a friend that I gave to my brother. 

Follow me on Instagram (@freegangirlsg) to stay updated on what I freegan!

What was your most memorable freegan experience?

Going dumpster diving with a friend and finding four brand new reams of A4 paper in a recycle bin. It’s technically the right place to put them but they are completely unused! I was mind blown that this is how some people deal with things they don’t want. My friend on that same trip found a PlayStation 4!

“My friend on that same trip found a PlayStation 4!”

What keeps you motivated in this journey?

Getting free things, saving money, trying out products or food I would not have spent money on, being challenged in preparing different kinds of food, reducing my environmental impact, and being a part of the freegan community. It’s a lot of wins!

What are some popular expedition spots?

I used to take part in a food rescue activity at Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre, but have since stopped due to Covid-19 restrictions. Void decks in general are a pretty good place. People who dispose of useful items tend to put them in a more prominent spot so that others can take it.

Do you have any tips for aspiring freegans?

You can start by bringing containers to occasions where food waste might occur, then ask for permission to tabao the extra food that would be thrown away. You can also ask friends and relatives if you can look through the items they get rid of during spring-cleaning. Alternatively, join Buy Nothing groups where people give away unwanted but useful items. 

Facebook groups Freegan in Singapore and SG Food Rescue were where I got to know more people in the freegan space. The more you reach out, the more opportunities you will find to practise freeganism.

“The more you reach out, the more opportunities you will find to practise freeganism.”

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A part of freeganism lies in the hope to reduce waste as much as possible, and to appreciate the value of everything. At TSSP, we aim to do the same in various ways: 

● Our scorecards talk about the species, source, process and mileage of each product, to help consumers make informed and more sustainable choices.

● Our products are vacuum-packed in plastic to seal in freshness, with the aim of extending their shelf life to minimise food waste. Plastic is an interim packaging option, and we are committed to sourcing earth-friendly alternatives!

Find out more about our commitment to sustainability, as well as how we organise our scorecards to help you become a more informed consumer.

All photos provided by Xin Yi.