Whats the gray area rule ?

Subject dumpsters: I realize its probably not really legal to dump dive BUT i DO IT , Natural if I come upon a metal only container (signs make no dif ) If all i see is metal I realize that is off limit's. But if i come upon a container with metal and garbage mixed - thats fare game . From a legal stand point of getting hurt who in charge is going to say have a good time take what you want. I have signed wavers on boat rides for peat sake .
SO to day i hit a mother load, near by a dumpster was metal only but then i saw it a dumpster with wire along with - ceiling tiles - sheet rock - bags of this and that BUT there was A LOT of communication wire all intermingled I yanked & pulled I got about 50 LB.There is so much more It is gona take some work to untangle so I decided to not be a pig about it I got what I did / now I'll get some feed back . This is a 6 ft tall container I am clearly on my own here . So should I go back - If a Black & White roll by - how on earth is he gonna just keep going . But I tell you true It is full of plenty of garbage / any way why would workers not put it in the metal only container a mere 20 feet away ?. There is at least another 150 LB of wire there

Is there anyone around to ask? I always find if you offer to take away the rubbish they're usually more than happy to let you have the scrap. Then just dispose of the unwated stuff as you would normal breakage waste. Better safe than sorry is my opinion.

first 150 lbs of wire is worth a little extra work and effort to me. secound "workers on a demolition or job site are not as diligent in seperating scrap as the forman would like them to be ( ist is no money out of their pocket.) the courts have ruled that "trash" on public property does not come under tresspass laws, this includes curbs, right aways and easments.

However some citys and counties have passed their own spacific laws concerning this. that is the first place to start. call the city/county attorney. and ask him for the spacific law covering your area. His forst instinct will be to say no you cant do that, because that is the easyest way out for him, make him point you to the direct law or regulation. good luck.

Container is in a shopping mall parking lot - cameras also - I was there 20 min no one came out to yell..
See if you ask (i am being facetious) is it OK to climb up the 6 ft dumpster and risk my life ? ,I mean if i fall you said its OK.
BUT I have found if your up there already and you seem graceful like monkey some one in charge seems to let you slide by . Any way I don't have to tell you communication wire is small buts pack a Punch - it's # one's baby brother I want it !! I am almost 6 ft i grabbed a load that took full arms to Carry
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also there is empty AL casing from wire a lamp or two I could spend 2 hrs there . You know the container CO will deal with it also they will charge for the weight but no way will it go to waste

It wouldn't hurt to ask. A lot of places charge by the pound to get rid of demolition garbage and you just saved someone having to pay for 150 lbs.

when asking permission remember "there is one and usually only one person who can say yes, all others are allowed to only say no". (mcw in Ford sales training film circa. mid 80s) this is a hard fast rule that applys to most every thing, even your own house.

i dont know what the state laws by you are, but here in ny, i have been told by more then 1 police officer that as long as the dumpster isn't locked, or marked property, regular dumpsters are a-ok for anyone to pick out of...so i jump right in plenty of them!

I would say, if it's not posted ANYWHERE that you can't. Then it's not a problem. I would do it, but I understand your concern and I haven't always been known to make the right call all the time. But in a trash dumpster then I would.

A shopping mall and it's respective parking lot are not public property. The grounds are private property that the public can enter to do their shopping. Ask permission always. I know that this can take time and energy but,I also know that when someone comes to me asking if they can do something and even if I say no, I'll say to myself afterwards "that's cool I can't believe that someone actually asked first to see if it was ok!"You might lose out here and there but you might also make some good contacts for future scrap. Good Luck !

Well I went back and the trash truck did there job well - the container was now Empty - I still had a good day
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Some times you can't have the whole pie

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Originally Posted by Copper Head

Well I went back and the trash truck did there job well - the container was now Empty - I still had a good day

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Aww, that's unfortunate.