KEY POINTS

  • A dumpster-diving woman went missing on January 30 and Burlington Police believe they found her remains
  • Authorities believe they found Stephani Cox's remains at a landfill following days of searching
  • Experts say dumpster diving is an unsafe practice

The body of a woman who is known to her relatives as a “dumpster diver” was discovered in a landfill, as confirmed by a social media post by Burlington Police in North Carolina’s Montgomery County.

According to FOX News, the body of 30-year-old Stephanie Cox was found at the Uwharrie Environmental landfill on Monday. Authorities said Cox’s loved ones were aware that he was often “dumpster diving” to search for items that can be reused or recycled.

In footage evidence retrieved by local police, it was shown that Cox went to a dumpster behind a Five Below clothing store over 10 days ago and later, a truck was seen driving into the area to recover the items on the trash bin where the victim climbed into.

The search for Cox’s remains only resumed Tuesday, after it was confirmed that the trash container she was in was taken to a landfill in Montgomery County.

A search team was already deployed Thursday but due to extreme weather conditions, the search for Cox only resumed this week, ABC/Telemundo affiliate WSOC TV reported.

State medical examiners have yet to confirm the remains’ identification but Burlington Police assistant chief Brian Long noted that clothing played a factor in the search party’s confidence that the remains are that of Cox.

It is also unclear how Cox died exactly but associated video indicated that the victim did not leave the dumpster until the county garbage truck came in at around 1:47 a.m. to service the container in question.

While dumpster diving is not uncommon in North Carolina, some analysts have been calling on more awareness regarding the unsafe conditions when one goes into dumpsters to search for reusable items.

Speaking on the matter, Burlington Police pointed out that Cox’s case “brings to light the dangers associated with collections from dumpsters,” CNN reported.

Around the world, some people are calling for dumpster divers to help reduce the overall food waste levels, while others promote this practice to save money. However, many experts have been reiterating that the practice is not safe, especially without appropriate tools and protective gear.

In North Carolina, some companies promote dumpster diving as an environmental management technique wherein employees join hands in gathering waste that can still be used for company purposes.

Among the items necessary for safe dumpster diving are gloves, long shirts and long pants, dust mask, closed shoes and protective eyewear.

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