Is garbage scavenging typically illegal?

Question

I take my garbage out for Wednesday garbage day, and for as long as I remember, some dude in a shady looking pickup drives around Tuesday nights and takes c**p out of people's garbage. I wouldn't really care if there wasn't the chance that I threw out a credit card bill, or something to that effect.

Can this be stopped, even if the garbage is put on the street?

Answer 1

no i never heard of it ask Fred Sanford and lamont they made a tv show out of it

Answer 2

if it is on your property then it is illegal.  if it is in a public trash can then there are some grey areas. if you are looking for some personal information on someone then it is illegal, but other wise i think most people just look the other way. i suggest that if you have something in your trash that could used by someone against you (ie a credit card bill) then you should get a shredder and use that on everything. that is what i do do all my bills and personal mail.

Answer 3

When a person puts their trash out on the street or an alley way, it becomes fair game for any one to dig through and take what ever they want to take.  

I know that this pretty much sucks but its true.  It is not illegal to dig in some one else's trash can after its on the street, once it is placed out it becomes public property.

I hope that this helps answer your question.  God bless.

Answer 4

no its legal....its trash so you dont want it and people are always saying we should recycle more anyway....

Answer 5

yes it is

Answer 6

in texas once it is trash...its open game

Answer 7

I think dumpster diving is illegal everywhere.  He's probably just looking for usable things to resell at flea markets and stuff.  But, you can call the cops on him if you want because it is technically illegal.

Answer 8

It's legal

The items in your garbage can is considered "discarded property". This basically states that you don't care what happens to the property after you've thrown it away.

If "dumpster diving" was illegal...then you could sue your garbage man for "stealing" your property.

NOTE:  Taking your trash is illegal when your garbage-can is located within your property's curtilage.

Answer 9

No, shred important documents. Its legal(for some odd reason )when it is placed for pickup. I had some scavenger hunting through a big dumpster I had and they never even asked. I bet if I pulled my gun, i bet they would have asked people from then on. Now a days people will steal any scrap to make a buck. Not to mention identity theft in which you refer. If they are looking through the Garbage than they might be slightly retarded so it may be hard to get through to them. Good Luck.

Answer 10

No..

Answer 11

If on public property, yes it's legal.

Answer 12

Some local laws make this illegal depending on where you live, but generally, as long as the trash can is on public property, "dumpster diving" is legal.

If you can, wait until the garbage truck is nearby to put your cans out.  Shred all of your docs before you throw them out, or better yet, burn them in your fireplace.