freegan

American  

[free-guhn] / ˈfri gən /

noun

1. a person who buys as little as possible and makes use of recycled or discarded goods and materials, in an effort to reduce waste and limit environmental impact.

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freegan British  

/ ˈfriːɡən /

noun

1. a person who, through opposition to capitalism and consumerism, attempts to live without buying consumer goods, recycling discarded goods instead

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Other Word Forms

• freeganism noun

Etymology

Origin of freegan

First recorded in 1995–2000; free + (ve)gan

Example Sentences

It does not advance his freegan cause, so I can only presume he is playing head games with them for his own sick amusement, like some dumpster-diving Willy Wonka.

From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2019

It said: “Letterpress freegan twee quinoa. Messenger bag chambray, next level hot chicken. Vinegar street art biodiesel before they sold out. Fashion axe beard salvia gastropub, unicorn trust fund readymade waistcoat.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2019

Agnès Varda's demi-documentary follows a band of latter-day gleaners, becomes a freegan manifesto, then drifts into meditations on the meaning of heart-shaped potatoes.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2018

Their negotiations across the green room door are nervy and hilarious, the rebellious freegan vs. the gentlemanly personification of evil.

From The Verge • Apr. 13, 2016

“You don’t have to regularly shower in a place where the shower bottom is blackened with filth because your boyfriend’s roommates are freegan cavemen.”

From Time • Sep. 25, 2014