It's pretty obvious (at least to me) what stuff in a rolloff box is trash (ie: destined to be buried at a landfill), what is being sorted out for scrapping by the person renting the box and what should not be taken.
I had some "scrappers" steal my 14' box truck, a dual axle trailer, an antique car and about two tons of fenceposts and scrap. It was on my remote desert lot but I know they intentionally stole it because after they stole the first load and I re-erected my fence they pulled it down with a truck. The only thing that stopped these theives was me staking out the property with a bondfire and an AK-47. They actually came while I was there, I saw them start to pull in, take a look at the rifle and book out. Never had another problem.
However, anyone who knowingly steals scrap (that includes rusty stuff on property that is not yours that hasn't moved in 30 years and you didn't get permission to take first) is a first class peice of crap and deserves to be shot (In Texas, I can blow your unarmed ass away if you sneak onto my land at night to steal my stuff)
I get most of my scrap from construction/demolition roll off boxes. I always try to find someone to ask before grabbing stuff. Usually this is the nearest worker, which I know isn't the best person or maybe doesn't have right to allow me to take stuff but it's been good enough for me for about 30 years. Usually the guys start giving me the scrap after they get to know me.
Obviously, a big job saves the scrap. I don't steal that or ask the guy delivering pizza if I can take it. However, if you see the guys are saving the copper and then toss some in the dumpster instead of the pile they are making it's obviously fair game.
Taking stuff "out of the trash" has various shades of gray just like everything else in life. If the dumpster's inside a fenced area (or the middle of 10 acres) you should stay out. If the dumpster's on the sidewalk and not taped off or something ask first but you should be able to assess if it's OK to grab something or not. Common sense is just that.
I "dumpster dive" but only in certain types. I would not root around in a buisness dumpster without permission but a temporary box is a little different. Best to ask first if you can. Same goes for stuff sitting on the curb, be polite and ask.
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