For those of us who have cast away the shame of scouring through bags of trash – colloquially known as dumpster diving – there are potential treasures aplenty.

And if you’re a gamer, Gamestop dumpsters can be a gold mine.

Video games, working controllers, strategy guides, store displays: all can be found strewn among the debris, ready to be snatched up by anybody willing to dive into a (moderately dirty) refuse bin.

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But how do these gaming treasures end up in dumpsters to begin with? The answer is simple - if you’ve seen the inside of a Gamestop, you know that shelf real estate is an incredibly hot commodity. Stores are packed wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling with games and gaming accessories. With Gamestop dealing in trade-ins as an enormous part of their business, those trade-ins are handled one of three ways: They’re sold as-is, they’re refurbished, or they’re tossed in the trash.

Video courtesy of TKsJohnsFilms

Gamestop’s 2012 Annual Report (released in March 2013), notes that the company runs a refurbishment center in Grapevine, TX that specializes in repairing games, consoles, and mobile devices. In fact, Gamestop boasts that in 2012 more than 12 million games and almost one million consoles were restored. The report for 2013 isn’t expected to show a decrease in those statistics either, if their annual trend continues as it has since the inception of their refurbishment center.

Despite those figures, Gamestop still throws away perfectly useful games and accessories. For the most part, as anybody in retail can tell you, the longer an item sits on a shelf unsold, the less valuable it becomes. It is these items, the ones you pass over time after time when you visit Gamestop, that end up in the trash. But as the adage (and Macklemore hit) goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” which is why some dumpster divers have amassed Smaug-like hordes of fantastic video game loot.

But like most things that have a reward, there is also an inherent risk.

Is there treasure inside? Or just broken glass?

Dive at Your Own Risk

Certain states and cities have regulations that exist to prevent “diving” in certain areas, making the risk of arrest a strong deterrent. To be more explicit - dumpster diving may not be legal in your town. Even when it is legal, there may still be laws which you have to abide by. For instance, if you have to access private property—which includes scaling a fence—you’re breaking the law and can be cited as such. Additionally, if you circumvent a lock or leave trash strewn about, you’re most likely breaking a law or city ordinance.

There’s also, you know, the whole ‘blindly scouring through dark bags and boxes with no easy way to determine what’s inside’ thing. While the possibility of stumbling across a dirty needle or sticking your hand into a ripe diaper is diminished at a place like Gamestop, there’s always a chance. We are talking about digging through garbage, after all. Potentially dangerous items like broken glass are also a distinct possibility.

But to those who take the risk, finding themselves knee-deep in a Gamestop dumpster may just land them a treasure or two. Or 20.

YouTube directors John H. and Richard G. fill their channels, “TksJohnFilms” and “OKChief420,” respectively, with videos of their excursions to local Gamestop stores. Many of their videos are wildly enthusiastic, like when John H. found unused Playstation Network and Microsoft Points cards or when Richard G. found an entire Xbox 360 Kiosk, television and all. Others are depressing; for instance, when Gamestop destroyed hundreds of dollars of gaming hardware and game discs before tossing them in the trash. John H., surprised by the findings, recorded them while sounding frustrated and annoyed at the unnecessary destruction. “It had the potential to be mega-haul number four, but it doesn’t even come close,” he says, a defeated tone to his voice.

When asked why he goes into dumpsters, John H. says the main reason is “to save perfectly fine video games, accessories, and even consoles being [placed] in a landfill where they would never be used again.” And while that's a great way to view it, it's not altogether altruistic.

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Video courtesy of okchief420

Dumpster diving, especially from Gamestop, is not without profit for the many who find usable hardware. Many divers have no issues placing their items up on eBay or Craigslist. “Making a little extra cash for something that [I] got for free!” is part of the allure, John told me. He estimates that he made more than $1,000.00 in 2013 from items he’s sold. And that’s only checking the dumpsters twice a month.

Potential Treasures

Look carefully - these discs are all cut. Many retailers destroy product before throwing it away.

A collection of Game Boy, GBA & DS carts saved from the landfill.

It isn’t just older Nintendo 64 or Sega Genesis carts turning up in Gamestop's trash. Multiple Xbox 360, Playstation 3 games, and some older console hardware routinely make an appearance. While you probably won’t find an Xbox One game in there yet, you may be able to find a headset, controller, or even a handheld console among the debris.Gamestop, aware of this growing trend, has issued a policy called “Field Destroy,” a directive that sees employees destroying the items prior to having them tossed in the trash. Games are scratched or broken, controllers have their cords cut, and strategy guides are ripped to pieces in an attempt to ensure people like John H. can’t take advantage. After all, each of the games and accessories that are thrown out are still accepted by Gamestop for store credit. So in order to prevent someone from getting “something for nothing,” the items are destroyed.But why waste the product?With organizations like Operation Supply Drop and Children’s Miracle Hospitals in need of donations, it would make more sense to simply send their unwanted products to them and not worry about dumpster divers at all. The question of whether used items would be accepted was answered by Kate Richardson of Maine Medical Center, “When it comes to toys & clothes, the Hospital generally prefers that they are new. As far as games go, it would be more open to accepting used items. Especially plastic items [which are] easier to wipe down and sanitize.”Not all Gamestop locations fully adhere to the “Field Destroy” order. Many locations simply toss products still in working condition. We reached out to Gamestop more than once to ask about their field destroy and refurbishment policies, but did not receive a response. For those who want to try their hand at dumpster diving, John H. offers up some veteran advice:“First and foremost, don't be nervous about it. I've [been] confronted by employees and managers before when I was searching through the dumpster, and each time they had no problem with me looking through it,” a sentiment echoed by most in the dumpster diving community.He continues, “Secondly, go any time of the day you feel most comfortable. I go during the day because that is the most convenient time to go, and less suspicious. And finally, respect the dumpster. It may sound silly, but after a few of my videos got a lot of views, I noticed I wasn't the only one [at] Gamestop dumpster diving. I've seen Gamestop bags ripped apart and thrown behind the dumpster, which is extremely disrespectful, and will likely cause that store to start destroying everything they throw out.”Before throwing caution to the wind and diving head-first into Gamestop dumpsters, you should certainly check the dumpster diving laws for your area. While cashing in on a beautiful collection of Playstation 3 games sounds magical, and replacing that headset which is held together with duct tape is a top priority for any gamer, being slapped with a fine or finding yourself in handcuffs isn’t worth the trouble when a simple phone call could help you avoid the hassle.Respect the dumpster.

Josh Smith is a freelance tech and video game writer/podcaster, as well as an olympic medal-winning hugger. He can be found on Twitter at @Sm1ttySm1t