Once you roll your bin to the curb or place your garbage bags on the sidewalk for pickup, you no longer have an expectation of privacy when it comes to your trash. Another resource is, a network that matches people who are giving stuff away to those who are interested in taking it, with an overall mission of keeping more out of landfills. People often post curbside alerts, letting people know they're placing something out on the street, or list items they're giving away in the free section. If you're looking for something particular, say a kitchen table or a couch, check the Craigslist ads in your area. When you have permission to take the item, it shouldn't be considered theft. Authors Anneli Rufus and Kristan Lawson write about this in their book "The Scavenger's Manifesto," which details why and how to obtain and reuse discarded stuff.Īn easy way to take something your neighbors have put out on the curb is to ask them if you can have it. What are the best ways to obtain discarded items?Īcross the country, there is a movement to save household items and other practical goods from landfills. A ring of cardboard thieves, who pick up bundles of boxes that set out for recycling, could be costing New York City as much as $8 to $10 million a year, reported the Atlantic Cities. Still, thieves are actively collecting recyclables in the city. In New York City, the Department of Sanitation owns all recyclables that have been put on the curb for pickup. It's best to avoid taking anything at all from the recycling bin, as many cities have enacted anti-scavenging laws to keep people from stealing (and making money from) recyclable materials. Those caught could face a fine of up to $1,000. In 2010, the University of Colorado Denver banned dumpster diving because they felt students were being harassed as they threw away stuff at the end of the school year, reported KMGH. Other cities have "dumpster diving" laws to keep people from going through large trash containers. If you're taking trash from private property or bypassing a gate or lock to do so, you may be violating trespassing laws. However, passersby on foot are allowed to take stuff from the curb, according to the city's Department of Sanitation. The law prohibiting people from picking up trash and putting it into a vehicle is supposed to deter organized rings of criminals from profiting from people's trash. In 2010, a man loaded a discarded air conditioner into his aunt's car and both of them were fined $2,000 each, according to a Consumerist blog post. For example, if you pick up an item off the streets of New York City and put it in your car, you'd be violating a local law. You'll want to use caution before you grab something out of the trash. But if you see something amazing sticking out of a neighbor's trash can or a nearby dumpster, is it OK to help yourself? Secondhand goods are more popular than ever, with people finding treasures at thrift stores, consignment shops, flea markets and even on the curb. Is it legal to take items out of someone's trash?
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