What are the laws on dumpster diving in Louisiana?

Answer 1

Dumpster diving is not legal in Texas. It is up to the individual cities. Check their ordinances for legality. Texas law states that trash is not considered ownerless until it is picked up by the trash collector.

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That said, taking trash is not technically illegal. The Supreme Court ruled in 1988 that once an item is left for trash pickup, there is no expectation of privacy or continued ownership. However, that ruling doesn't necessarily override city or state law. It would depend on the circumstances, and using a dumpster on private property is still trespassing.

Answer 2

Unlike routine garbage left for pickup by the municipal garbage truck, dumpsters are typically private property: they are the property of the dumpster provider, and rented by the property owner (an apartment complex, store, etc.). And the dumpster is located on private property as well, even though it is typically publicly accessible (most restaurants, however, lock their dumpsters). So technically, dumpster-diving is illegal in most, if not all states. The reality is that enforcement of such laws is up to the customer property owner: police very rarely enforce such laws unless they are told that this is a problem.

Answer 3

Dumpster diving is legal in the state of Louisiana. However, dumpsters are located on private property and by dumpster diving, and individual can be charged with trespassing.