The holiday season might be officially over, but for one Massachusetts-based dumpster entrepreneur, the real shopping season is just kicking off because she just hit what she calls the “biggest jackpot of all.” Ashely Willoughby, known online as @trashtocashmom for turning trash into cash, recently shared a video showing an absolutely massive score outside a purported T.J. Maxx location that was overflowing with brand-new homewares.
When Willoughby first opened the gate in front of the dumpster, the items visible, like pillows, blankets, and mugs, immediately made it clear that this wasn’t a normal find. The initial reaction to the overflowing bin was summed up by her own in-video text, which read: “Holy s— !!!! jackpot dumpster dive.”
When you see the sheer amount of goods she pulled out, you’ll understand why she was so excited. Willoughby later laid out her haul, estimating the value at about $1,500 worth of merchandise. This wasn’t just junk, either; we’re talking brand new items like a Hello Kitty ceramic Christmas tree, about fifteen gingerbread man cutting boards, festive mugs, slippers, Christmas dish towels, and even Grinch socks. It looks like an entire mini-warehouse of pristine stocking stuffers.
Honestly, the retailer should be terrified that this much perfectly good merchandise ended up on the street
It’s hard to believe items this flawless and new could just be tossed, and some viewers were definitely skeptical, asking how the cups weren’t broken if they had been haphazardly thrown away. However, former employees of the retailer and its affiliated brands have confirmed that trashing perfectly good items is, unfortunately, a sad reality of the job.
One user who claims to be an employee even called it “the most heartbreaking part of her job.” While the company reportedly tries to donate what it can, items that are soft or non-breakable often end up in the trash compactor. This explains why Willoughby was able to snag so many pristine pillows, blankets, and holiday decorations, which is a major win for her, but an awful waste for the company.
The comments section of Willoughby’s post was instantly divided. While many people wanted to know her secrets and even asked about purchasing some of the finds, the overwhelming vibe was frustration over the rampant waste. “It’s so disappointing they just throw it all away. They could at least donate it. I’m glad you found it!” noted one viewer, Nicole Lyla.
This really gets you thinking about the scale of retail waste, doesn’t it? Another person, TikTok_Tilly_Mint, suggested that if stores just sold the items for 50 cents to $1, they would still make money, wondering if the practice was related to some kind of tax loophole.
Willoughby has certainly turned this activity into a legitimate side hustle, even writing a book about dumpster spelunking. She often donates pet goods to animal shelters and blankets to the unhoused, which is a top-tier feature of her operation. Among all the viral trends on TikTok, which sometimes range from gulping down sugary horse treats to donating machetes to the homeless, this one stands out as a ray of hope and a call for less waste.
Published: Jan 22, 2026 02:30 pm