Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Georgia? But, first, you need to know what your area law says before you start picking through other people’s garbage.
Do you live in Georgia and want to trash dive? If so you may be wondering is it legal. Well, let’s look at the rules from Georgia regarding dumpster diving and some things you should consider in the process.
What Does Georgia Law Say About Dumpster Diving?
Dumpster diving is not technically illegal throughout the whole state of Georgia, but there are a few things that make it less legal in some places.
Usually, something is no longer private property once someone throws it away and puts it on public land. In this case, trash might be open for anyone to take for free.
Notwithstanding the above, this doesn’t mean trash divers can go anywhere in the state. Here are some key law things to think about.
Trespassing Laws
The dumpster itself might be fine, but where it is placed is super important.
Many dumpsters are on private property behind businesses, apartment buildings, or places with gates.
In these cases, trespassing is the act of going onto private land without permission, and it is illegal in Georgia.
You must respect “No Trespassing” signs even if the dumpster is located in a public area or an easy walk to.
If you ignore these threats, you could be guilty of trespassing. If you are unsure if a dumpster is on private land, seek permission.
Local Ordinances
Some cities or counties in Georgia might have laws where trash diving is prohibited or restricted. For example, some places may impose fees and limit scavengers so they wouldn’t continue to do this for safety or sanitation purposes.
Verify the local laws before you go diving because these vary considerably from one state to another.
Theft Laws
In some cases, trash diving may be perceived as theft, especially if the things thrown away are still owned by the person or business.
For example, some businesses intentionally remove broken or out-of-date products because they do not want people to accept them. If you take something from a dumpster before the law deems it garbage, you may be charged with theft.
Health and Safety Regulations
Health and safety laws are another concern. Certain business establishments, such as restaurants, may not approve of dumpster diving because they can easily contaminate food germs.
They may also lock their dumpsters to ensure that no one rummages through the garbage from the food that could be harmful to your health. You may also find yourself getting into trouble with the authorities by messing with a locked dumpster.
Dumpster Diving in Public Spaces
In most of Georgia, jumping into a dumpster, that is not behind walls and does not have “No Trespassing” signs, is probably all right. One should be careful, however, and respectful of the place to avoid making a mess.
Tips for Dumpster Diving Legally in Georgia
If you really want to go trash diving in Georgia, here are some things you can do to avoid getting in trouble:
Dive only in public trash: Avoid breaking laws by only diving into trash containers that are obviously on public property.
See signs that read “Trespassing Prohibited”: Stay away from these signs at all times if you do not want to get charged with trespassing.
Sure enough: if you are not positive, it is best to ask the owner of the business or land. Some people might be able to live with that if it is in aid of them throwing less rubbish around.
Be safe: Put safety foremost by wearing gloves and being aware of possible dangers, avoiding trash that might be locked or ones that have food in them.
Conclusion
So is jumping into dumpsters illegal in Georgia? Bottom line: It depends. Dumpster diving is not illegal per se, but you should be aware of issues such as trespass law, health laws, and city ordinance.
Be sure to be considerate not to destroy private property. Always familiarize yourself with the rules governing that place before entering. Dumpster diving can be a good way to find everything you’ll need for free if done properly, but not at the cost of violating law in the process.
