County law: It depends – you must research this.Think of dumpster diving laws as a funnel and check with each level during every step: The more granular you can get with these laws, the safer you will be. From there, the ordinances are often searchable or listed under waste or garbage sections. To learn the specifics in your city, you can research your state laws online and find helpful links to state and county websites. This means most garbage can be searched or taken by the police, a neighbor, waste removal employees, or a stranger. So, when a trash bag is on the curb to be picked up by a waste removal company or your trashcan is waiting at the end of your driveway, it becomes “public domain' and the Fourth Amendment no longer applies. Greenwood) that ruled searching trash is legal as long as it does not conflict with any city, county, or state ordinances. In 1988, there was a Supreme Court case (the State of California vs. Check Local Laws for “Garbage Ordinances'ĭumpster diving is technically legal in all 50 states. Use the checklist below to make sure you stay legal and avoid run-ins with law enforcement. However, there are nuances you need to understand before going through anyone's trash. One person's trash can be another person's treasure. Many retail stores get rid of materials like promo posters, marketing resources, magazines, displays, cardboard boxes, new products that did not sell, and more. You get freebies from a store, and the store never knows their trash has been taken and re-used. Dumpster diving can feel like a temptation that doesn't hurt anyone involved.

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