Is trash picking against the law?

Question

One of my neighbors has been caught picking in the dumpster numerous times. One time, my fiance caught him ripping apart our trashbag. I am worried about identity theft, even though we are pretty vigilant about shredding documents. Can we call the police on this one?

Answer 1

Trash is just that and has no expectation of privacy.

Buy a shredder... Or take your trash to the dump yourself.

That is the bottom line.

It is NOT against the law and the police will not do a thing.

*edit

I am doing an edit as I can not believe the posts here! How can anyone assume that trash is against the law to take? What? Are you kidding me? Even the US Supreme Court has ruled that we as police DO NOT need a warrant to search peoples trash! Once you throw it into a public dumpster or put your cans side the road... it is free game to anyone that wants it!

My God, people.... don't give this poor person false advise on just something that you THINK is the law!!!!

Answer 2

In some areas if the dumpster or trash can is picked up by a company that is under state mandate to recycle, most are, then it is technically stealing from the trash company. I know Waste Management, the largest trash company in the US, has a large staff dedicated to stopping dumpster diving. They really only care about metals, as all other recycling is a farce.

Answer 3

Generally once something is placed in the trash, it is public domain. The caveat being that if the trash can is still on your property, it is still yours. Once placed on the publicly owned street or sidewalk, it is anyones.

I shred everything. I have done through more shredders than anyone I know of. When deleting from my computer - I have a program which overwrites the entire file with zeros.

Quoting Andy Grove, of the the founders of Intel "Only the paranoid survive". Destroy everything you discard - trust no one.

Answer 4

no, it isn't. once you put something in the trash it is in the public domain.

ever wondered how private investigators and police can find out so much about a person before searching their house or pressing official charges? this is only one of those tricks.

however, if the neighbor is coming onto your property to pick through your trash you could have a trespassing case

keep your trash on your own property if possible...I assume you rent if you are using a communal dumpster, in which case, short of keeping your trash in your home until pickup day it sounds like you may be out of luck

Answer 5

I work for the trash company and yes dumpster diving is against the law. i would call the code enforcement of your city and have them come out when you see this in progress. the offender will be cited . Do be very careful adn shred all your sensitive material at all times regardless of dumster divers because onece this stuff goes out there is no telling who can come across it.

Answer 6

According to the Supreme Court, California v. Greenwood (No. 86-684), it is perfectly legal to dig through anyones trash. The court found that there is no expectation of privacy once you set it out on the curb.

Answer 7

No. I don't think so. It's public property once you take it to the dumpster. Just make sure YOU don't throw away stuff that could help one steal your ID.

But I mean..why is the neighbor doing that..is he a poor man looking for food or cupons or recyclable stuff that can be turned into money? Or maybe he just likes to collect objects that others throw away...like a junk yard person? You could talk to him and ask why and tell him you're not comfortable with it.

Answer 8

Check with Borough Hall. I don't know what state you're in, but I'm not aware of any state having a law against this.

Most towns have a local ordinance covering this. If there is one, it most likely states that only the property owner and contracted services can remove any trash.

Answer 9

In maximum factors, this is technically seen "Stealing from the garbage company", in spite of the shown fact that this is in many situations no longer a super priority for the law enforcement officers to handle, till they take place to get lawsuits from inner maximum voters who've a topic with what you're doing, for in spite of reason! i replaced into doing it as quickly as and the law enforcement officers observed me. It replaced into previous due at evening in a extreme-high quality community (that are the main suitable to pass to because of the fact they constantly have a lot of excellent or effective stuff of their packing containers) and that factor he in basic terms gave me a warning to no longer do it to any extent further. Noone had even complained that factor. Then yet over returned, i replaced into doing it some block away, and that i'm constantly very respectful, quiet and sparkling approximately it, in spite of the shown fact that it replaced into previous due at evening and that i assume some older gentleman had seen me removing cans from the packing containers at around 11pm on rubbish evening. all of sudden, I observed a spotlight going to and fro from section to section coming staggering in the direction of me. I knew it replaced into the law enforcement officers, so I ducked down next to a automobile and allow him pass bye. He saved on going, so i desperate to decrease out together as i could desire to. I went and grabbed my luggage, one I left a techniques back because of the fact it replaced into complete and the different I had with me. So I grabbed the whole one too and all of sudden, the gentleman yelled, "whats up you! positioned that back!" so i attempted to describe that i'm in basic terms attempting to outlive and get by using besides i will. And he had his telephone in his hand calling 911 returned as he yelled at me approximately being a criminal! That replaced into the final time I ever did it, in spite of the reality that I constantly %. up issues I see on the floor.

Answer 10

You cannot go into or remove anything from a dumpster without permission. Ripping open trash bags would be littering