Dumpster diver discovers destroyed soaps and products outside Bath & Body Works

One dumpster-diving video is drawing attention online for a reason that goes well beyond the thrill of the find. 

In the clip shared to TikTok, the dumpster diver climbs into a Bath & Body Works dumpster and uncovers dozens of products that appear to have been thrown away after being destroyed.

Here's what to know

In the video posted to TikTok, dumpster diver GlamourDDive (@GlamourDDive) shared what looked like countless usable hand soaps and bags of broken candles in one dumpster behind a Bath & Body Works store. Another nearby container held lotions, body scrubs, and perfumes that appeared to have been intentionally ruined.

@glamourddive Found a HUGE jackpot but someone caught me INSIDE THE DUMPSTER 😭 #dumpsterdiving #bathandbodyworks #caught #insane #jackpot ♬ original sound - GlamourDDive

While in the first dumpster, the woman said it was "so insane to see because there's so much product," saying employees had "squeezed and dumped it all out." 

Inside the dumpster, the diver said they were briefly alarmed when a woman from another store noticed her. She initially described the moment as frightening but later added that the woman was "super friendly and just curious."

In the second dumpster, she noted that "there's at least 50 hand soaps in here." 

Commenters were largely horrified by the video.

"It's so sad that they don't donate anything," one wrote.

Another added, "The employees should be able to take it home or donate it to homeless/women shelters."

More background

In this case, the footage appeared to show untouched hand soaps mixed in with other discarded goods, even as another batch of products had been intentionally destroyed.

Retail waste is costly in more ways than one. When personal-care products are trashed, all the water, energy, ingredients, packaging, and transportation used to make and ship them are wasted as well.

And if those items end up in a landfill, their plastic packaging, chemical ingredients, and any broken glass can contribute to an even bigger mess.

Where can I learn more?

Bath & Body Works isn't the only retailer drawing criticism for tossing products that still appear usable. Other finds involving soaps, detergent, shoes, and café supplies show how often valuable goods get trashed instead of donated, discounted, or redistributed.

• An Earth Breeze dumpster held a giant pile of detergent that appeared brand new.

• After the holidays, a café dumpster yielded a shocking haul of supplies.

• At Steve Madden, divers found boots and sneakers in the trash behind the store.

Each of these discoveries points to the same problem highlighted in the Bath & Body Works video: retail waste is common, and much of it seems preventable.

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