Getting Started
To begin your career as a hobbyist scavenger, you will need:
- A car, bicycle, or legs.  A car is recommended because it makes it easier to haul around the crap you've found while you look for more

-  Know your local garbage collection day, as well as that of surrounding neighborhoods.  You can call the waste management department and ask, or just look in those neighborhoods every day until you see garbage cans outside.

-  Not afraid of being embarassed.  This is very important.  Don't worry about someone seeing you pick up that fishing pole or stereo.  The joke's on him; that stuff's worth money.

-  Wear old clothes.  For obvious reasons, you won't want to wreck nice clothes by tearing them or getting them stained.

CAUTION: Always be careful with electronics you find.  Plug the item into a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor), this way it will cut the power before you can be electrocuted.  Those are the outlets with the red and black button on them.  Also, DO NOT TOUCH THE CASE WHILE PLUGGING IN.  Follow these guidelines and you should be safe.
Now What?
There are three types of trash picking.  Click the one you'd like to know more about:

Residential, or "Neighborhood"

Small Business

Industrial, AKA Large Business