scavenge
definition
to search for and collect valuable items from discarded material or waste
example
The children would often scavenge through the neighborhood's trash bins looking for old toys and items to repurpose.
synonyms
foragerummagesift
word origin — The word 'scavenge' originates from the Middle English 'scavengen,' which comes from the Old French 'escaivain,' meaning 'to clean up or remove waste,' derived from the Latin 'excavare,' meaning 'to hollow out.'