The DumpStore Is the First Store You Don’t Want to Buy Anything From

Samusocial, an NGO that focuses its efforts on helping homeless adults, together with Tribal Romania is launching The DumpStore - The first shop where you don't want to buy anything from.

The starting point for Tribal's second project for Samusocial in Romania is an aspect of reality that many people know but ignore: the fact that homeless adults get their necessities from the dumpster. This phenomenon is taking place against a backdrop of increasing consumption, which leads to a high level of waste, with Romania ranking first in Europe in terms of the quantity of products that end up in the bin. Every year, 2.5 million tonnes of food are wasted. This means that every Romanian throws away an average of 75 kg of food every year. The DumpStore comes as a response to increased consumption, offering a simple solution - it encourages people to buy more responsibly, only what they need, saving money and thus being able to donate to those who need it most.

"The image of homeless people dumpster diving is one I grew up with. And I'm sure it's ingrained in all of our minds. But I wonder how many of us are still touched by this picture, which if you think about it, is truly disturbing. In the mirror, today, more than yesterday, we are throwing  away more and more, yet the streets are fuller and fuller of homeless people. I sincerely believe that it is only through our collective involvement that we can help. This is the second time we are actively involved in the Samusocial story. This year we tried to find a simple, honest solution. Very briefly, when you are more careful about what and how much you buy, you end up throwing away less, spending less, and maybe saving some money to help someone," says Simina Dima, managing director and executive creative director, Tribal Worldwide.

"In Bucharest, at the moment, there are about 5000 homeless people. The figure is alarming. In the country, if you look, it's even higher. And the reality on the ground of these people is horrifying. We try to help them with food and other items they need, but also with support to help them reintegrate into society, through mobile caravans," adds Andrei Craciun, communication officer, Samusocial Romania.

What does The DumpStore aim to achieve? To show people what a world would be like if instead of the supermarket, instead of the shopping cart, we would get our supplies from the bin. The campaign runs online, through dedicated content, on social media, but also through a new kind of media in dedicated spaces in the garbage dumps of apartment blocks or residential complexes, where we send people directly to the DumpStore.

Influencers across the country have joined the cause, developing the What's in my trashbag series, an initiative that encourages responsible consumption. Products from the DumpStore will also be 'on sale' in partner stores.

Those who want to support the cause are invited to donate here.