There are strict rules against "dumpster diving" but when I was young and we bought a house but couldn't afford to buy landscaping stuff, I would periodically check the dumpsters at Kmart and when they would throw away "old" bedding plants, I would "dive in" on the sly and pull them out. Planted many a flower bed doing that over the years. Maybe someone would have to inventory and account for where all the stuff went that they get rid of and no one wants to take on what would probably be a monster responsibility?

I work at Hancock Fabrics and we have a policy about donating to non-profits. We regularly donate all of our unsold stuff to a local place. They just need to be considered at "501" status - which I am sure is assigned through the government. I would be JF could do that too. It does take a little more work but is far better to do all around!!!

vendor policy
 

I manage a retial store and the policy is to distroy what we call defective items. This policy comes from the vendors. They do not want to give us our money back and let us use or donate it.

I worked for Walmart years ago and saw them doing the same thing. Tearing the covers off books and tossing them. They said we were not allowed to take them, they had to be thrown away. Sad to me though, they can't pass those savings on to their customers at a discount, you would think that even 50% they would sell all of it.

I am pretty sure dumpster diving, curb and ally cruising are our American rights. Maybe we should rename the activity to dumpster recyclers and recyclable locaters.

Usually there is something very wrong with the product for it to be destroyed. Often the mfg. doesn't want it back because it can't be recycled or the cost factor in transportation to return is a large factor. It is a waste, yes, the only way to change it is to write or call the company or mfg. to protest. Once I tried to buy, potted plants from Home Depot that were dying due to lack of water. The wouldn't even mark them down, instead I watched them get pitched into the dumpster. Gads what a waste!

A lot of things being tossed is not up to the store but the manufacturers rules. I used to be just sick about all the patterns that had to be tossed. The whole pattern was tossed including the sleeves. McCalls and Simplicity companys would send you a list of the patterns to be pulled and tossed. We had no control about the matter. It came down from the manufacturers

I cannot vouch for why JoAnne's employees would do that, but when I worked for Mill Fabrics and Cloth World years ago, we used to do the same thing with patterns. As a style went out we were required to cut the envelope apart and then dump all the pattern pieces into the trash. Some employees used to make their own envelopes and write the pattern numbers and sizes on them and save the pattern pieces. That was illegal and they could have gotten themselves into a lot of trouble that way. I also think some found they never used those "savings" because they could not visualize the end product like they might have if they could have saved the pictures or the pattern envelope.

I really think it has to do with future sales. Patterns especially return after so many years because styles change. You can find old patterns online these days and people still make good money off them. Mind you they may cost $1 in stead of $10 or $20, but someone is making money.

I cannot explain the ribbon being wasted. Schools surely should be given a chance to use them in art or home economics classes. Now you know my age, because nobody teaches home economics these days. I can never remember what they call that class these days. It has nothing to do with sewing skills though.

As a former employee of JA it was extremely sad to see this happen. But like many corporate businesses, they actually receive more by writing the item off then giving it away or even putting it on 90% clearance. And dumpster diving is stealing. What a shame it was to see items that needed minor repair/still in good condition/fabulous but slighting flawed items being thrown away. So much waste and so many that could be helped with these items - such as providing equipment/fabrics to help teach others a trade, supplies for organizations making items for those in need, help in fund raising events for various people, supplies for our local schools, etc... Corporates also frond on the required paperwork when items are donated. Our world of rules and regulations make it vertually impossible to help others without it costing those donating the items. It's got to be depressing working at a landfill and to see all this stuff that rightfully should be recycled/repurposed.

Costco does the same thing. But...be careful in their dumpsters cause they prosecute.
It's a crying shame what is thrown away. :(