# Is that which is found in construction site dumpsters legally available to take? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 14, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135 "2007-04-14T18:55:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/1 "2007-04-14T18:55:23Z")
Well the title says it all. There is a very nice home going in down the way from me, and they have demolished a old beautiful colonial home, granite foundation and all. And I would like to go down and sift through the dumpsters and see what I can see. Perhaps I’ll find some nice old planking I can make a blue bird house out of, or maybe a nice piece of granite I can use in my garden. I dunno, one could find anything in there. Is that legal to do? ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/2 "2007-04-14T19:01:09Z")
Don’t know about the legality but I’ve worked at quite a few contruction sites and none have objected to people going through the dumpsters. There are usually at least one every day or so looking for copper. If you wanted to be on the safe side you could just ask. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/3 "2007-04-14T19:05:10Z")
[QUOTE=Will Repair] Don’t know about the legality but I’ve worked at quite a few contruction sites and none have objected to people going through the dumpsters. There are usually at least one every day or so looking for copper. If you wanted to be on the safe side you could just ask. [/QUOTE] Well I’ll probably do that next time I see the General Contractor’s truck go by. I just want to take a walk over there now, because that nasty storm is approaching very readily. So I won’t be able to go over for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/4 "2007-04-14T19:17:42Z")
Just a thought: aside from legal concerns _you_ may have, a GC should have insurance and liability concerns. That is, if you get hurt inside their dumpster, could liability fall on the GC? Even an unsuccessful lawsuit or insurance claim is going to cost him/her time and resources. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/5 "2007-04-14T19:38:58Z")
[QUOTE=Rhythmdvl] Just a thought: aside from legal concerns _you_ may have, a GC should have insurance and liability concerns. That is, if you get hurt inside their dumpster, could liability fall on the GC? Even an unsuccessful lawsuit or insurance claim is going to cost him/her time and resources. [/QUOTE] True, but These are open, uncluttered dumpsters. It’s ignorant to think I won’t hurt myself, but the odds are with me in not hurting myself. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/6 "2007-04-14T20:17:04Z")
I usually operate under the principle that it’s easier to get corrected than to get permission. There’s some risk in that, and only you can determine how much risk you’re willing to take. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/7 "2007-04-14T20:57:28Z")
Isn’t trash generally considered “intentionally abandoned property”, and hence free to all takers? ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/8 "2007-04-14T21:28:23Z")
I live in a new subdivision, we’re surrounded by homes under construction, and most every one has a dumpster. Last summer, someone’s newly sodded lawn had to be half ripped out so some underground work could be re-done, and the workers filled a dumpster with the sod. My neighbor used most of it to fill in some spots on the side of his house where the seed wasn’t taking, and the contractor knew he was doing it. Just be careful and don’t get hurt in there, you’re up to date on your tetanus, I assume? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/9 "2007-04-14T22:32:38Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] Isn’t trash generally considered “intentionally abandoned property”, and hence free to all takers? [/QUOTE] I suppose that would depend on the arrangement the builder has with his trash hauler. It is possible that the hauler gives the builder a cheaper rate based on being able to recover the salvageables from the dumpsters. In that case I would think that what’s in the dumpster belongs to the hauler. Of course, in that case I would think the hauler would have a sign saying “Stay Th Hell Out Of My Dumpsters.” As an example, way back when it was still legal to feed uncooked garbage to hogs in Iowa, there was a woman who would pick up your garbage for nothing. She ran a hog feeding outfit and that was the food, or a large fraction of it. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/10 "2007-04-14T22:52:34Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] Isn’t trash generally considered “intentionally abandoned property”, and hence free to all takers? [/QUOTE] As long as you don’t have to go onto someone else’s property to get at it. Dumpster diving is a popular activity and the local police are using trespassing laws as a way of discouraging the practice. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/11 "2007-04-15T02:32:32Z")
Well this is generally not something that I usually do. This old colonial is a bit of a prize, as the wood coming out of it is 100+ years old, and the granite fragments are that old too. I’ll ask if the opportunity comes around…I doubt I’ll have an issue/. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/12 "2007-04-15T02:43:55Z")
Wouldn’t there be some danger of exposure to lead paint (flakes and dust) and to asbestos? (Lead paint wasn’t outlawed until, what, 1972?) I’d wear a mask, and wash everything off, and wash my dumpster-diving clothes by themselves and with an extra rinse cycle. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/13 "2007-04-15T02:44:54Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] This old colonial is a bit of a prize, as the wood coming out of it is 100+ years old, and the granite fragments are that old too. [/QUOTE] If it’s really colonial, the wood was cut 200+ years ago unless you’re thinking of different colonies. The granite, though, is probably closer to millions of years old. . . ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/14 "2007-04-15T02:54:00Z")
I’m not confident a construction dumpster is considered trash. The city probably doesn’t haul it away. It probably belongs to the contractor, who has some arrangement with a hauler. Is the dumpster on the lot right next to the house, or in a street or alley? I’m pretty confident you don’t have the right to go onto the property for any reason. ---
**Author:** ![Gbro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/15 "2007-04-15T02:55:40Z")
We do live in a seriously wasteful society. Its shameful to discard something that can be used by someone else. even at the demolition yard where i have to pay to dispose of items, i will put some to the side in the event someone else could use them, and i have snatched up item or 2 that i can use. I actually feel sorry for those that think scrounging is distasteful. After all its just another form of recycling. ---
**Author:** ![Hakuna\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hakuna\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hakuna_Matata)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/16 "2007-04-15T03:16:03Z")
As an Architect my experience would say I think you likely are fine as most things in a GC dumpster get thrown away. Usually if they are salvaging something, they will put it aside. However if it was me, I would ask, that is the safer option, then there is not any question about you taking something. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/17 "2007-04-15T04:14:37Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] And I would like to go down and sift through the dumpsters and see what I can see. [/QUOTE] Psst … the word Dumpster is a registered trademark. The generic term is _garbage bin_. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/18 "2007-04-15T04:27:31Z")
[QUOTE=Gbro] We do live in a seriously wasteful society. Its shameful to discard something that can be used by someone else. even at the demolition yard where i have to pay to dispose of items, i will put some to the side in the event someone else could use them, and i have snatched up item or 2 that i can use. I actually feel sorry for those that think scrounging is distasteful. After all its just another form of recycling. [/QUOTE] My mother used to complain that my dad came home from the dump with more stuff than he took. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/19 "2007-04-15T11:28:19Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] Isn’t trash generally considered “intentionally abandoned property”, and hence free to all takers? [/QUOTE] I think that’s mainly with regard to police needing (or not) a search warrant to go through your garbage. A given locality might have anti-vagrancy laws that say trash can only be taken away by authorized people. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135/20 "2007-04-15T20:54:48Z")
[QUOTE=Hakuna Matata] As an Architect my experience would say I think you likely are fine as most things in a GC dumpster get thrown away. Usually if they are salvaging something, they will put it aside. However if it was me, I would ask, that is the safer option, then there is not any question about you taking something. [/QUOTE] I’ll ask, there is a nor’easter coming through now so I’m sure work will be haulted for a while. [QUOTE=vernwinterbottom] If it’s really colonial, the wood was cut 200+ years ago unless you’re thinking of different colonies. [/QUOTE] No thats the same colonial time I’m talking about. But I happen to know this building was put up in the mid 1850’s, it is an old Whaling community. The older homes in the area are protected. So even if someone bought a home pre-1700 in this town, they could not tear it down, they’d have to get clearence from the historical society peoples. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-which-is-found-in-construction-site-dumpsters-legally-available-to-take/400135.md?page=2)