They gather in packs at night, usually just past dusk, and assemble behind buildings and alleyways. Empty bags in hand, they move at a steady pace, stalking large dumpsters and garbage cans for food, clothing and other treasures to be found. Often, they take home enough to sustain them for weeks on end.
Meet the freegans: a group of crusaders dedicated to saving the environment and saving money at the same time. They may have started as an underground community, but these days the group could include your next-door neighbor, roommate, or your boss. Their cost-cutting approach may be unconventional, but experts say it’s paying off and catching on.
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“The whole idea of ‘green economics’ and cheap living has led to a renewed interest in freeganism,” says Jeff Ferrell, a professor of sociology at Texas Christian University and author of the book Empire of Scrounge. “It’s a great way to decrease harm on the environment while also keeping your costs down.”
What Is Freeganism?
A freegan is someone who avoids using money to acquire food and other goods. Spun out of the anti-globalization movement of the mid '90s, freeganism began as a reactionary lifestyle to consumerism, gluttony and greed. Freegans believed they could obtain food and other necessities for free, thereby avoiding big businesses and reducing their consumption of resources.
The word “freegan” takes its name from the word “vegan,” as members support a "cruelty-free” agenda that avoids meat and dairy. Today, freeganism also extends to non-vegetarians, as well as non-edible things like clothing, books and furniture.
Most freegans find things by dumpster diving or gathering outside a store and sorting through the trash. Others use a barter system to obtain goods and services, while some rely on collectives that promote the sharing of things like bicycles and cars.
