Is it wrong to put trash in your neighbor's trash can?

[kimblebee]

My company spends tens-of-thousands of dollars a year hauling trash away from our constructions sights. The big, commercial bins are frequently filled by area residents who feel perfectly at liberty to toss furniture, tires, their own reno debris, combustibles and yes, dead pets in. I'd like to personally throw all that crap back on their yards, but life's too short...

But would you presume do the same to your neighbours without permission and just expect them to be fine with it? I think that's where we're all lining up here. I totally agree that I wouldn't go to war with a recalcitrant neighbour if they used my garbage cart, but I do consider it very poor manners, especially when the OP points out her own bin was just a little further away.

Yeah, I would expect my neighbours to be fine with it. I think part of the reason is because our bins stay in the back lane so no one would know what ends up in their bin. I know I don’t keep tabs on ours beyond the fact of making sure it’s upright when we back out of the garage and actually see it. If the bins were in the front street or visible all the time I’d probably ask the first time I did it but that would be the only time. I wouldn’t care if someone used my bin..as long as they weren’t illegally dumping something. It’s just such a non issue..being possessive of garbage lol

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My company spends tens-of-thousands of dollars a year hauling trash away from our constructions sights. The big, commercial bins are frequently filled by area residents who feel perfectly at liberty to toss furniture, tires, their own reno debris, combustibles and yes, dead pets in. I'd like to personally throw all that crap back on their yards, but life's too short...

Multiple cities around me have like one or two free "big trash days" so that way people throw out their furniture, etc with exclusions of course. My city unfortunately does not provide a free pick up but I can schedule an appointment for them to come pick up stuff.

Also each month my city operates a household hazard waste events that is free to all citizens of the entire County. Things like paint cans, gasoline, anitfreeze, motor oil, and other things can be dropped off for free with no appointment necessary (you can do an appointment if you are unable to make it to the actual event held). There are exclusions such as electronic waste including computers, printers, etc but still it's nice to have that. They hope that you aren't putting that stuff in the normal trash.

I know my step-father-in-law has seen people from the neighborhoods behind his business use the dumpsters for their own personal usage which sucks as the two dumpsters are used for multiple businesses in that shopping area (with the exception of the gas station which has their own) so it already gets full fast.

 

[lifesavacation]

Around here if there is any recyling mixed in your trash you can get a fine. I would get annoyed if a neighbipor used my trash can, not put a sign up annoyed but annoyed. Last month my neighbor had company for a week due to a death in the family. He asked to use our pail on garbage day and we said yes. He does recycle so no worries there.

This! We get fined and I have a hard enough time managing the trash my kids throw away.

 

[kdonnel]

We have socialized trash service forced on us by our county commissioners. We all must purchase it from a private hauler and it is paid through a “fee” collected on our property tax bill.

Once the government mandated private trash service kicked in service quality went way down hill. They will no longer take any trash that is not in the can, makes getting rid of Christmas and the 4th of July trash difficult. Everyone just puts their extra trash into whatever can has room.

I see no problem

 

[jt'smom]

I can't for the life of me understand how the OP's trashcan was farther away than the neighbors. Wouldn't your own trash be in front of your house, if it was out for pickup the next day, and therefore be closer? I've never thought about trash before, lol. But, I'm a fairly cynical person, so I'd have to wonder why someone used my trash. Although as long as it didn't have illegal stuff in it, and it was going to be picked up anyway, I don't think I'd give it a second thought. I learn a lot of odd things on the Dis!

 

[dotfurio]

I wouldn't have used my neighbors can without asking. There have been times, like after a party, when we've asked neighbors if we can use their can or they ask if they can use ours. We always do this the night before trash pick up, though. We only get trash picked up once a week, so I would be annoyed if a neighbor used my can and then I didn't have room for my trash.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I have put my recycling in my neighbors bin before but only because

#1 my bin was full
#2 their bin wasn’t
#3 the recycling truck was going to be there any minute
#4 everything was already on the curb

I wouldn’t care if my neighbors did this. Now if they were throwing it in my bin and expecting me to lug their stuff to the curb THAT would get my undies in a twist!

 

[Hikergirl]

What you did was pretty rude. I would have an issue with a neighbor doing this without asking, and I would probably return your garbage to your property if I knew it was you.
My can is usually full and sometimes in the morning before pick-up I add to it. If I came out and someone elses garbage was in there I'd be pissed. You want to use my can, then pay a portion of my bill for it.

 

[greentea]

Other posters have listed several reasons it could be annoying or cause problems (getting fined for not recycling, taking up space they might need to use). Another one that we've had to deal with -- your trash might contain smelly food that could attract animals and cause a mess if the can gets kicked over and the trash is shredded.

Just walk the extra few steps to your own can? Especially now that you know it annoys them.

 

[momto3pirates]

Our neighbor did that one time. We then didn’t have room to throw out our trash. Use your own can.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

In our city, we can choose which size garbage and recycling cans we want. The larger ones, of course, cost more per month. Most people opt for a large recycling can and a smaller garbage can since. It annoys me to no end when someone puts their stuff in our garbage can and takes up all of our space. One night, DH put the cans at the curb in the early evening for pick up the next day. The garbage was only about 2/3 full. I cleaned out the rabbits' pens and went out with two bags of smelly stuff to put in the can. Lo and behold, someone had filled our can with their own garbage. I have no idea who it was. We were stuck keeping our bags next to the house for another week, which threw off our capacity in the next weeks' can. If people don't have enough room in their own cans, they either need to hold back some of their garbage for the next pick-up, or spring for a bigger can.

 

[Skellingtonj]

How did she know it was yours??

And tbh, this is something I’ve never thought about. I have put my garbage in someone else’s can from time to time. I never knew it was such a faux pau

 

[marcyleecorgan]

How did she know it was yours??

And tbh, this is something I’ve never thought about. I have put my garbage in someone else’s can from time to time. I never knew it was such a faux pau

Ahhhhh maybe they have similar bins to ours? Ours, the whole side is a Sharpie-friendly side that is white and says, "This is the property of ___________________" and you're supposed to write your address on the can. Bylaw keeps track of how many bins you have, when you call to replace them, how often they replace them and soon they are getting smart enough to be able to tell you HOW MUCH you have thrown away.... at least that's what they tell us!

 

[LilyWDW]

OP, it was rude. Use your own can. Your neighbors can is not your property thus is not for your use.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

How did she know it was yours??

And tbh, this is something I’ve never thought about. I have put my garbage in someone else’s can from time to time. I never knew it was such a faux pau

Are your trash cans not placed on the curb(or similar) in front of your own home where you are?

 

[Domo]

Interesting.

Once I was walking my dogs a long way away from home. One did his "business" so naturally I scooped it up in a baggie. Hmm. A long way home. So I took the initiative and disposed of the offering in a nearby bin. I was sue that the owner would understand (it was hardly going to fill the whole bin up) and I found it far preferable than stinking my car up with doggie-leavings.

 

[Hikergirl]

Intersting.

Once I was walking my dogs a long way away from home. One did his "business" so naturally I scooped it up in a baggie. Hmm. A long way home. So I took the initiative and disposed of the offering in a nearby bin. I was sue that the owner would understand (it was hardly going to fill the whole bin up) and I found it far preferable than stinking my car up with doggie-leavings.

Um that is part of being a dog owner.
If I was your neighbor I would not have appreciated that or understood your need to be rude.
Stink up your own property with your dog's droppings not someone elses.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Interesting.

Once I was walking my dogs a long way away from home. One did his "business" so naturally I scooped it up in a baggie. Hmm. A long way home. So I took the initiative and disposed of the offering in a nearby bin. I was sue that the owner would understand (it was hardly going to fill the whole bin up) and I found it far preferable than stinking my car up with doggie-leavings.

I would have been pretty irritated with that, especially if it were toward the beginning of the trash cycle. It might not take up much room but I don’t want my cans stinking like poop and it attracts all kind of nasties.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

To the people who are okay with it, what if someone drops a half empty pepsi can in your trash and all that liquid runs out on garbage can making it super sticky? Are you cool with that?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

To the people who are okay with it, what if someone drops a half empty pepsi can in your trash and all that liquid runs out on garbage can making it super sticky? Are you cool with that?

That’s the WORST!