They still do that here, sorta. The city sets aside a day for everyone to put their unwanted junk on the curb and they come pick it up. The night before and early that morning is a beehive of activity. I have ridden shotgun in a truck that was collecting before the city got there. There is also a couple of dumpsters that usually have something salvageable in them. I have also seen people wait at the dumpster for the stuff that a grocery store was throwing away.

Did you all know that Walmart locks up their trash? they have compactors that stay locked per regulations. When my store was remodeled they had a big construction dumpster out back, and would call the police on anyone trying to dumpster dive. Seriously. I was working there at that time, I saw a guy get arrested for it.