Why Is Dumpster Diving Legal In The United States?

Dumpster divers can be the bane of a business owner's existence. While they are out there rifling through your dumpster under the cover of darkness (or often even in broad daylight,) they can leave behind a mess that you have to send one of your employees out to clean up. Not only is this frustrating, but it is ultimately costing your money when it comes to wasted time your staff could be using to do their actual job instead. Unless it is specifically prohibited by local regulations, dumpster diving is legal within the United States. However, there are three ways that you could minimize the effects that divers have on your business.

Protect The Dumpster Behind Fencing

While dumpster diving is legal in the US, entering a fenced property to access the dumpster is not. However, if you do not wish to fence in the dumpster, it can be argued that while it remains sitting directly touching your business building, it is part of your private property, and therefore trespass laws apply. …show more content…
You must move the dumpster to a location which is within your property fencing, and place a no trespassing sign nearby. The types of trespassing signage varies between the states, but in Texas, for example, criminal trespass can be prosecuted if a person remains on your property without receiving consent, and if signs are posted on the property that clearly state it is forbidden for them to be there.

Of course, there are other ways that you could make signage work for you too.

Spell Out The Dumpster Contents Through