scavenger
scav-en-ger
noun
A person who searches for usable items in discarded waste.
"The scavengers sifted through the rubbish for valuable metal."
verb
To search for and collect discarded or unwanted items.
"They scavenged for firewood after the storm."
noun
An animal that feeds on dead or decaying matter.
"Vultures are nature's scavengers, cleaning up carcasses."