If I put garbage on the curb for pick up. Is it still my garbage?

Question

So it's garbage day and I decided to put out some old plastic patio chairs.Still in great condition it just leaves white marks on your clothes if you sit too long. I realized that I would not get new chairs in time for my BBQ so I went to go get the chairs from my curb but they were gone. As I scan up and down the street I see that the neighbour across the street has  lined my 6 chairs outside their home. Are those chairs not mine. It was on my curbside.Should I ask them for my chairs back? I don't know them.

Thanks

? · Accepted Answer

It's a funny thing, placing things out on the curb:
Yes, it's up for grabs...unless the dogs make a mess of it, then it was "still yours and your responsibility" to keep tidy until pickup.
Go figger.

? · Answer

Well unfortunately that sucks. When people put stuff out on the curb it is basically a big "take me I'm free" sign. I don't know the absolute laws of whether or not its yours, but I think you put it up for grabs and it would be rude to go ask for them back. Mistakes happen I say let this one slide. You could go ask for them back but they believe they just scored some free chairs and it wouldn't be such a nice thing to do. Ultimately your choice though.

? · Answer

I vaguely recall a court case where some criminal put incriminating papers out for pickup,  but the police had been watching his house, and they got the papers before the trash truck did.   They read everything, then arrested him based on the documents.  But the crook sued, saying the trash was still his and the police shouldn't have touched it.   The judge disagreed, and the crook is in jail even as we speak.

So, I'm guessing that your trash is in the "Twilight Zone" ready to become yours again if you take it back, or to become someone else's if they grab it.

I think the US Post Office does something similar.
The letter you want to mail is your property until you put it in their mailbox.  Then, it becomes property of the USPS.   Once it is delivered, it becomes the property of whoever it is addressed to. 

Nevertheless, it is kinda weird to see your neighbors enjoying your trash.

Monty · Answer

No.  Soon as you put them to curbside, they were pretty much up for grabs.  People around my house do this all the time.  If there is no sign on them or is a "free" sign, they are still up for grabs.  If they have a price sign on them, they are for sale, of course.

Let the neighbor have the chairs.

ceeli · Answer

"you can't have what you want until you let go of what you don't want."  

let go of them.  some new ones will find their way to you.  maybe not in time for the bbq but all you have to do is tell the people you invite to bring their own lawn chair because you don't have enough.

Vic B · Answer

Sorry, It WAS your garbage. When you put it out you invited the world to help themselves. What is garbage for some, is a treasure for others.

Pretty Maggie Money Eyes · Answer

Once you put them out to be taken by the garbage man, they are no longer yours.

Orion · Answer

trash on the curb is waste, available to the public, including law enforcement who do not need any warrant to go through your trash.

If I put garbage on the curb for pick up. Is it still my garbage?

8 Answers