Pennsylvania scavenger Tucker Upper rides viral wave by scouring Jersey Shore for curbside treasures

A Pennsylvania man has risen to internet stardom by driving around New Jersey in search of treasures left at the curb by wealthy homeowners. James Graef, who posts as Tucker Upper on YouTube, has attracted more than 200,000 subscribers with videos showing his scavenging trips along the Jersey Shore.

Graef routinely targets seaside towns such as Stone Harbor and Avalon, two of Southern New Jersey’s wealthiest communities where luxury homes commonly leave behind usable items on bulk pickups. Those towns are among the state’s priciest: average home prices in the areas exceed $2 million, according to Realtor.com and Zillow. The driver’s YouTube channel features footage of Graef cruising quiet neighborhoods in a pickup truck, examining items as he goes and deciding whether to bring them home or resell them.

On recent trips, Graef has found a full set of golf clubs, books in mint condition, a rare Bud Light Cannondale bicycle, and a perfectly intact dresser. He records the sessions with a GoPro, interjecting encouragement and anecdotes as he works, narrating the process as a modern-day treasure hunt.

Graef has said the practice is a positive endeavor: it is a viable side hustle and, more broadly, good for the environment. In his words to the Daily Mail, trash picking is a way to curb consumerism and prevent usable items from ending up in landfills, while helping his family financially. “Enough with consumerism. We as a race need to realize it’s never going to be sustainable to continue to buy new stuff even when the old stuff is still usable,” he said.

The 37-year-old said his interest in scavenging began with his grandfather when he was eight years old, sparked by thrift shopping and the curiosity of what could be found. He later carried that passion into his teenage years, selling scrap metal by age 16, and he and his wife have since furnished parts of their home with treasures discovered on curbside runs.

Graef’s routine aligns with seasonal rhythms in coastal towns. He notes that the end of summer and the start of autumn are ideal for trash picking as bulk pickup days roll around and homeowners prepare for the off-season. He advises would-be scavengers to check local bulk pickup calendars, a tactic he says helps him beat the garbage trucks to the curb. His videos have helped popularize the practice, with viewers embracing the idea that discarded items can be recyclables or resale opportunities rather than waste.

The Jersey Shore itself is a major draw for visitors, a context Graef often references in his videos. MARACOOS data indicate the New Jersey coast attracts more than 120 million visitors annually, underscoring why curbside turnover in affluent towns can yield a steady stream of potential finds. Graef frames that dynamic as both an economic and environmental story: small-scale recycling, upcycling, and the potential for extra income through resale.

The channel’s growth has reflected broader cultural currents around sustainability and approachable, low-cost hustle culture. Graef’s followers frequently comment on the serendipity of his discoveries and the optimism of turning ordinary trash into usable items. He has emphasized that trash picking can be wholesome fun accessible to a wide audience, and that his videos aim to encourage responsible consumption while demonstrating practical ways to extend the life of possessions.

As the online audience grows, Graef has maintained a steady cadence of uploads that showcase the range of items that can appear on a curb—from everyday furniture to unexpected finds like a mint-condition bicycle or a set of high-quality golf clubs. He has also reiterated the idea that a world of reuse is possible at a time when consumer demand and production contribute to environmental strain. His philosophy remains simple: “You never know unless you go,” a refrain he uses to motivate viewers to explore their own neighborhoods responsibly and creatively.