Just pushed a new open-source script to GitHub: AJD Dumpster Diving. It's a fully-featured dumpster diving system for QB-Core servers that I've been refining for a while now.

Grab it here → github.com/AlexJamesDean/ajd-dumpsterdiving

Why Another Dumpster Script?

Most dumpster diving scripts I've seen are either too basic (flat random loot, no protection) or too bloated (dependencies everywhere, hard to configure). I wanted something in the middle: feature-rich but lean, secure but not paranoid, configurable but not overwhelming.

What's In The Box

Weighted Loot Tables

Not just random items. The loot system uses weighted rarity tiers—common, uncommon, rare, and legendary—so you can properly balance your server's economy. Tweak the weights, swap out items, and the math handles itself. 

local LootTables = {
    common = { weight = 60, items = { ... } },
    uncommon = { weight = 25, items = { ... } },
    rare = { weight = 12, items = { ... } },
    legendary = { weight = 3, items = { ... } }
}

Framework Flexibility

Swap between qb-target and ox_target. Use whatever progress bar you want—qb-progressbar, progressBars, or mythic_progbar. Same goes for notifications. One config block, no code changes needed. 

Config.Framework = {
    progressbar = 'qb-progressbar',
    target = 'qb-target',
    inventory = 'qb-inventory',
    notification = 'qb-core'
}

Built-In Selling System

Players can sell their scavenged loot at configurable locations. Set up ped vendors, blips, choose between fixed prices or percentage-based payouts, and pick cash or bank payments. It's all in the config.

Anti-Cheat & Admin Tools

Rate limiting, weight validation, suspicious activity tracking, and optional Discord webhook logging. Plus admin commands for stats, cooldown management, and player monitoring. Because I've run servers—I know what happens when you don't protect your economy scripts.

Exports for Integration

Need to tie dumpster diving into a quest system? Check if a player can search before triggering an event? Reset cooldowns as a reward? There are exports for all of it: 

-- Server exports
exports['ajd-dumpsterdive']:GetPlayerDumpsterStats(source)
exports['ajd-dumpsterdive']:CanPlayerSearch(source)
exports['ajd-dumpsterdive']:GetServerStats()
exports['ajd-dumpsterdive']:ResetPlayerCooldown(source)

Installation

Dead simple:

  1. Clone or download into resources/[ajd]/ajd-dumpsterdive
  2. Add ensure ajd-dumpsterdive to your server.cfg after qb-core
  3. Make sure your loot items exist in qb-core/shared/items.lua
  4. Restart and you're done

What's Next

The IMPROVEMENTS.md file in the repo has a roadmap—XP systems, achievement hooks, audio polish, seasonal event support. If you want to contribute, that's where to start.

Want to Build a Full Street Economy?

Dumpster diving is a great entry point for players—low barrier, decent rewards, teaches them the basics of scavenging and selling. But if you want to give your players a complete underground economy, check out the AJD Economy Pack.

It bundles three scripts that work together:

  • AJD-Scavenge — Admin-configurable loot zones where collectible props spawn. Hidden spots that only reveal themselves when you're in the zone—perfect for rewarding exploration
  • AJD-Crafting — Turn scavenged materials into usable items and sellable goods
  • AJD-StreetSelling — Let players sell items to NPCs in configurable zones with dynamic pricing

Together with this free dumpster diving script, you've got a complete loop: scavenge → craft → sell. Players start with nothing and work their way up. It's how street-level RP should feel.

Get the Economy Pack on Tebex →

Get The Free Script

The dumpster diving script is MIT licensed and available now:

github.com/AlexJamesDean/ajd-dumpsterdiving

Issues and PRs welcome. If you use it on your server, drop by the Discord and let me know how it goes.

More FiveM Resources

New to QB-Core? Read my breakdown of why I use QB-Core over ESX—covers the trade-offs, security considerations, and when each framework makes sense.

Need custom work? I build bespoke scripts from £20 and MLOs on a quote basis. Check out my full FiveM development services or browse the ready-made scripts on Tebex.