# my neighbors are rooting through my trash! Yuck! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 11, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428 "2009-02-11T21:29:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/101 "2009-02-13T03:09:45Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > And yes, they’re opening up the bags. Yeah, that changes the whole thing. I always pictured them taking an old chair next to the garbage can. Opening bags and digging through your refuse is not only gross, but a health hazard, invasion of privacy and all that. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/102 "2009-02-13T03:17:30Z")
> [@winterhawk11](#): > > Er…I think he was referring to the fact that “plushies” is the name for folks who…shall we say…like to get to know their stuffed animals a little better than the rest of us do. 🙂 Bingo. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/103 "2009-02-13T03:27:27Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Huh. Thanks **Lute** , IDNKT. We always called stuffed animals either “stuffed animals” or “furries”. The furries I’m familiar with are [something else entirely](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=276676&highlight=furries). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/104 "2009-02-13T03:40:32Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > You’re what’s wrong with America. I have reconsidered my harsh stance, and I will amend it to wanting brand new stuff all the time is only PART of what’s wrong with America. If you’re buying it with hard-earned money instead of on credit, you’re not completely what’s wrong with America. ---
**Author:** ![XaMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f9ae1b/32.png) [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/105 "2009-02-13T06:01:40Z")
I’ve never opened anyone’s bags, and I don’t go digging into private cans, but if it’s next to the can or even on the top layer of a dumpster, I’ve been known to take things. I hate to see things wasted. Here are some things I’ve rescued over the years: Desks, office chairs, book shelves, plant stands, flower pots, lamps, discarded paintings(canvas can be reused), lots of picture frames(some with decent prints), mirrors, a crystal candle holder with wooden base(still in the box), a working lava lamp, some nice clothes, amazingly in my size, a waffle iron, two cat carriers, two boxes of dog treats, unopened, a few dozen legal pads, barely used, books, tools, lumber, file cabinets, curtains, unopened paint, an airbrush kit, cigar boxes, flower vases, wine glasses, beer mugs, coffee cups, a cheap but workable guitar, and a guitar stand. That’s just what I can think of right now. I’m sure there are dozens of finds I’m forgetting, not to mention the finds I had to pass up because I couldn’t transport them, like the surf board I found next to a dumpster. I’m not a bit embarrassed for taking them. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/106 "2009-02-13T06:44:31Z")
> [@XaMcQ](#): > > Desks, office chairs, book shelves, plant stands, flower pots, lamps, discarded paintings(canvas can be reused), lots of picture frames(some with decent prints), mirrors, a crystal candle holder with wooden base(still in the box), a working lava lamp, some nice clothes, amazingly in my size, a waffle iron, two cat carriers, two boxes of dog treats, unopened, a few dozen legal pads, barely used, books, tools, lumber, file cabinets, curtains, unopened paint, an airbrush kit, cigar boxes, flower vases, wine glasses, beer mugs, coffee cups, a cheap but workable guitar, and a guitar stand. I wouldn’t be above picking up a useful-looking item if I saw it next to or on top of somebody’s trash (or leaving things conveniently out for others to take) but I don’t t think I would touch the cat carriers or the dog treats. I’d wonder _why_ the people were throwing them out (like maybe their cat died of something highly contagious like FeLV, or the dog treats had been in their cupboard for three years.) I’d be leery of electrical items, too, but that’s just me because I have no idea how to fix them (or even determine if they’re safe unless they’re sparking when I plug them in) and I’d rather not take chances. I always worry when I throw away food that’s still in a closed container but far past its date–I don’t want anyone thinking it’s still good and taking it home to eat. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/107 "2009-02-13T13:50:09Z")
I do find routing in people’s garbage bags disgusting, but the stuff you find just sitting there is fair game. I once made two trips to a house who had had a garage sale, then just put all the unsold stuff on the curb. Cups, glasses, neat gift boxes, candles, earrings, socks, and shoes in my size. ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/108 "2009-02-13T14:20:21Z")
> [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](#): > > When I lived in Amsterdam years ago the people would leave the reusable rubbish separate from the trash and there was a whole industry of people going around on a Thursday night picking up things. If the plug had been cut off that indicated the item was not working - but obviously a part or two might solve the problem and someone will always be willing to try. Maybe you could try something like this to keep them from rooting through the real trash which I agree is creepy. > > Where I now live you can chuck it out safe in the knowledge that there are people down at the dump waiting to grab that stuff and refurbish it. On a similar note, I think I would be inclined to offer things to the neighbor that may have value to them instead of throwing them in the front yard to potentially get ruined in a Florida downpour. I don’t care who goes through the crap I don’t want as long as they don’t make a mess that I have to clean up later. It is my GARBAGE..I didn’t want it so if someone else does? It is all yours baby. Hope you can get it fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/109 "2009-02-13T15:03:15Z")
I have to agree that going through bags is gross and I would also feel a little violated by it. I wouldn’t want people knowing the intimate details of my reproductive cycle. Everything I throw out is garbage. It is not useful in any way. I shudder to think that someone may have opened the bag with the dead rat I found in my yard in it or one of the many bags of used cat litter that I throw out. If I have anything potentially useful I donate or recycle it. If I were to throw out something potentially useful I would leave it beside my trash bin and anyone would be welcome to it, but do not go into my bin and open bags. I do not throw away loose items in my bin because of the potential of them blowing out as they are being dumped and ending up all over my lawn. It irks me because I still end up with the rest of the neighborhood’s trash on my lawn. I don’t know why my yard seems to be the last resting place for this stuff but it is. Anyway, I think that the standard trash picking etiquette is if it’s on the curb or on top of the bin it’s fair game but if it’s in enclosed bags it’s off limits. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/110 "2009-02-13T15:23:54Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > Anyway, I think that the standard trash picking etiquette is if it’s on the curb or on top of the bin it’s fair game but if it’s in enclosed bags it’s off limits. My understanding as well. If I have large stuff I’m tossing, I’ll often put a sign like “Free” on it, just so people won’t feel any self-conciousness in taking it. I’m happy when someone makes a good find out of my stuff, but in return I’d want then to respect limits - no rooting through my trash bags like a human raccoon; no making a mess. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/111 "2009-02-13T15:27:46Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > Eh, we had some people a couple of blocks from us who always, always had a garage sale. > > When we threw out usable junk, or even some we considered not particularly usable, it would turn up a couple of days later in their “garage” sale. And why not? [It’s surprising what you can sell at a garage sale.](http://achewood.com/index.php?date=01122009) I pity the person who digs through our trash bags. One word: diapers. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/112 "2009-02-13T15:29:35Z")
I for one think it’s beyond icky and I would be seriously creeped out by it. Don’t touch my trash! I do take stuff to Goodwill all the time. I never leave stuff on the curb just for people to pick up, and I never pick up stuff off the curb. I feel like it makes a neighborhood look trashy, stuff all over the lawns and what not, and I live in a relatively nice place. I guess I don’t care that other people do it, but no one does it in my neighborhood - the Goodwill is literally within walking distance. I also just go to the store for what I want to buy, and I don’t put it on credit - I pay for it. Plus, as others have said, there is _garbage_ in my trash. Chicken fat, or coffee grounds, wrappers, etc. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/113 "2009-02-13T15:30:44Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I pity the person who digs through our trash bags. One word: diapers. Heh. When our shredder broke, I started putting the sensitive stuff in with the (open) poopy diapers and cat litter. I still tear the stuff in a few pieces by hand and put pieces in different bags, but I don’t bother with a full on shredding anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Pammipoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/87869e/32.png) [@Pammipoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pammipoo)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/114 "2009-02-13T16:38:54Z")
If I learned nothing from CSI, it’s that garbage is fair game. Dig away. I’m a trash digger’s dream. I’m too lazy to find worthy recepients using ebay or craigslist or whatnot, so I throw away perfectly good stuff. It’s like Christmas all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/115 "2009-02-14T05:33:58Z")
Twice I’ve stopped when I’ve seen someone throw out a large pile of perfectly good firewood and collected it. But in each case I did the polite thing and rang their bell and asked if I might have it. There’s a lot to be said for re-use and recycling of things left out at the curb. As long as the diggers are polite and do not scatter the trash any more than it was when they found it, I see little harm. I will say, however, that the one time I was rudely berated by some trash scavengers for my putting a lawnmower out did sour me on leaving potentially useful items out in plain sight. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/116 "2009-02-14T05:42:45Z")
> [@Una Persson](#): > > the one time I was rudely berated by some trash scavengers for my putting a lawnmower out Sorry, I no get. Trash scavengers **complained** because you were providing trash to scavenge, in the form of a useful home maintenance appliance? Why? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/117 "2009-02-14T05:46:23Z")
A bag lady came knocking at my door asking if she could have my trash at the curb. I expect that she was referring to an old lamp that had caught on fire. So I pulled out the keys to my Caddy (I was about to trade it in or sell it for scrap) and said “Here you go.” She became very defensive. Muffin: “It’s a Fleetwood Brougham d’Elegance, with all the options – wire wheels, leather seats, and a moon roof for spooning with your honey.” Bag Lady: “I don’t have any honey!” And so it went, until I eventually convinced her that yes, she was welcome to my Caddy. I signed the green slip, gave her the keys, and off she went. I saw her a couple of weeks later, blowing through a stop sign. Many months later, I came across my old Caddy at a parts yard, so I hope she had some fun with it and was able to get some cash from the parts yard for it. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/118 "2009-02-14T05:53:08Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > I have to agree that going through bags is gross and I would also feel a little violated by it. I have a vague recollection of Nixon going through a lawsuit to try to keep people from going through his trash. I don’t know what year it was and don’t know how it played out, or if it involved Weberman or not. Anyone remember it? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/119 "2009-02-14T06:11:50Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Sorry, I no get. Trash scavengers **complained** because you were providing trash to scavenge, in the form of a useful home maintenance appliance? Why? Essentially, I got yelled at and heckled by the scavengers because putting a lawnmower out without clearly declaring if it works or not with a notarized affidavit, **and without providing free gas for it** , is an example of being a “rich cracker,” or so it would seem. Or maybe they didn’t intend a racial slur; maybe they meant I was like a Ritz cracker, yeah… ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428/120 "2009-02-14T08:59:29Z")
I once put a DVD player beside the trash with a note: **This player is working but there is no remote** About an hour later it was still there with another note. \*\*When you find the remote I’ll have it \*\* Some people [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbors-are-rooting-through-my-trash-yuck/485428.md?page=7)