COLUMBUS — Many area businesses are trying to make the practice more difficult, but their efforts haven't been enough to stop people from diving into trash bins for food and other items.

        Stores have locked lids, attached containers to buildings to prevent outside access, and obtained receptacles nearly 8 feet tall so trash can be lobbed in but not fished out.

        Even so, people such as Joel Kalson continue to go through the bins.

        Mr. Kalson says it's the ultimate in recycling.

        “Stores dump millions of dollars worth of merchandise each year,” he said. “It blows my mind the level at which they're putting stuff in the trash.”

        Whatever Mr. Kalson can't use, he passes along to others or sells.

        He said that last year, he made $15,000 from items he snagged from the trash.

        On one expedition, he pulled out four 12-packs of beer, 30 bouquets of flowers, a case of strawberries and a dozen roasted chickens that still were warm.

        From other bins, he has retrieved a new table, 5,000 greeting cards and 50 used books at a time.

        Divers “use what we find or we store it. We live like kings but make money like paupers,” he said.

        Food bank officials frown on eating food that's been thrown away.

        “It's very disturbing to hear about that,” said Lisa Hamler-Podolski, executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks.

        “I don't even want to think about the rodents. Once it's dropped in there, the chance that the food is contaminated is great.”

        Tom Jackson, president of the Ohio Grocers Association, said trash bin diving hasn't been a major problem for grocers in recent years.

        But some people who live near open containers say the free feast can be attractive.

        Jackie Sharpnack, an area minister, picks up food at a Kroger store two or three times a week before it hits the trash heap and distributes it among several food pantries.

        “If I didn't take it, it would end up going into the Dumpster,” he said.

        Kroger spokesman Nick Rees said that if Mr. Sharpnack didn't pick up the food, it would go to a food pantry, not into the trash.

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