Trashcan divers

[Ryan Jerz]

Some Reno residents have asked the city to pass a law against people diving in trashcans looking for whatever they can find to make some money. What do you guys think of this?

We have an alley behind our house, and our trashcans were kept there most of the time. One morning my wife went out to toss a bag of garbage in and there was a guy going through our can. It freaked her out. For one thing, it's scary to have someone just right there in your stuff. For another, he had his car right next to him running. What if it had been one of our kids that had been asked to take the trash out that morning? We've since moved our cans inside the fence and put a lock on the back gate.

I don't like seeing people walk around the alleys looking through mine and my neighbors discarded stuff. Some of that is probably because of what I think alleys are for (not walking around--the streets and sidewalks are for that) and part of it is that I worry when people get desperate what might happen. I think when you're going through trash, there is a certain desperation involved in what you're doing.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Katie Palani]

hey jerz.
i have a few thoughts on dumpster diving. i think it's okay if you're diving at a business or a common dumpster, in a parking lot or behind a building. i think Americans waste way too much, and much of what they throw away at grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, etc. is still good. and should be eaten/consumed. and in other public spaces, there is much to be found in a community dumpster. have at it.
but what you described as your fear with your children, i have to agree with you 100% there, and cannot support can hunting on private property. i agree that those people may be desperate, and make poor judgment calls, resulting in terrible things.
good thing to think about, as people become more and more desperate as the economy dives. . .

here in athens (i know this is RenoBaby, but come one, 3 minutes) we are in one of the poorest counties in the nation, and there's a guy that hits our dumpster twice a day. it doesn't bother me so much because we're part of a little complex, and the dumpster's off to the side. but i won't walk my garbage down there at night, afraid he's out there and might hurt me. ...

[Kristen Power]

I would be freaked out too, but not necessarily for personal safety as much as for identity theft. A lot of dumpster divers are looking for financial junk mail, like credit card offers or thrown out bills, so they can steal your identity. Some people just throw that out instead of shredding it, which is a bad idea. We've never noticed people going through our garbage as much as racoons (and yes, we live in town).

As for locking the gates, we do that too. Aside from protecting your trash, it also protects an access point to your house that burglars could easily access without being spotted.

When you stop and think about it, it's really scary that we're having to lock up our yards and garbage. But, I don't think changing the law to prohibit dumpster diving will make a difference. When it all boils down, if you're a criminal sifting through garbage to commit fraud, a dumpster diving law isn't going to stop you.

[Tom Clark]

We haven't had this problem in our neighborhood - yet. I tend to agree with Kristen because I wouldn't think residential garbage would have waste food that is even remotely edible. It's been in the fridge a while or is just plain old. I would think that if you were dumpster diving for food you'd go to a better source like a pizza joint, resaurant, etc. where you would find a little fresher goods.

Digging through my personal can you've got to be looking for more than just a snack. You're looking for a way to put food on your plate using my FICO score. I'm not usually one for creating more laws but I think my garbage can is my personal property and not just anyone should have access to it legally. My taxdollars, my charitable dollars go to help a lot of people that are needy and hungry. If you want something to eat go to a soup kitchen or charity, there are lots of them. Stay the heck out of my trash can.

[Larry DeVincenzi]

I think this is systemic of a larger issue - a lack of public information and guidance as to how to help those in need of food and living assistance. The programs are out there, and I think we could all do a better job of directing people that need help instead of turning away from them.

Dumpster diving may be a choice for some, but not for all. A law might deter those that would consider an option, and provide police with the authority to stop them down, and direct them (or even transport them) to assistance.

Personally, I'd support the law - simply as a deterrent to identification theft. I've understood that trash is the leading resource for those who are ID theives. Who knows who might pay someone a small fee to get information along with whatever else they could find for themselves?

We have programs and nonprofits that can help those less fortunate in our community. But they have to want the help. Preventing them from dumpster diving by law seems it has nothing but an upside - and I'd like to see if there are other views on this out there.

Thanks for starting this discussion Ryan...good one.

[Marissa]

I would be freaked out as well, if I came out to someone going through my trash cans. Even though it's full of things I've discarded, it still feels like an invasion of privacy, but honestly people, we have way too many laws about insignificant things. If you don't want "randomers" going through your trash, put it some place they can't get to it, i.e. behind your fence, your garage etc...We don't need a freaking law for every g.d. thing, it's getting obscene, next there will be a request to make an amendment to the constitution. Enough is enough.

[Mike Caltagirone]

I have to generally agree with Marissa. We don't need a law for everything.
But these concerns can easily be addressed with one question: Have you taken a look at the dumpster divers? Our alley is like a pedestrian freeway and on trash day there are two or three different people that consistently make their way along through the cans. Judging by the stuff they are carrying, they are mostly looking for recyclables and items that can be sold to thrift stores. None of them look like they are high-tech criminals or internet-savvy miscreants. Not everyone wants to take a handout when they are down-and-out. Some still want to try to support themselves even if it means going through neighborhood refuse.
And if identity theft is really your main concern, lock your mailbox as well. All of your info comes in that way every day (except, of course, Sunday) and usually sits there all day until you pick it up after work. A much smaller amount ends up covered in coffee grounds and dried egg whites in the trash. Which source sounds easier and more reliable?

[Katie Palani]

I'd say if you're worried about ID theft, there are a few things you can do to help yourself out. Cut up things you throw away that have your name and address on them. Go thru that junk mail and unsubscribe to mags you don't really need to get. I did it last weekend, and in half an hour, I was theoretically off the lists of about 20 mailers. Always cut up applications to credit cards that you don't want, and other membership type things. I mean, we should be careful about what we throw away anyways, and that would at least ease the worry about id theft, and leave those that are up to no harm to dive through the myriad of shit we throw away every day ...

[Christy Jerz]

If you're looking to follow Katie's lead and unsubscribe to unnecessary catalogs, I would highly recommend Catalog Choice. It's a user-friendly site, which becomes somewhat addictive. Best of all, the site (not you) stays on top of the catalog companies until you are removed or the company has to admit to not participating. Occasionally, they won't have a catallog in the database, but you can recommend it be added (take that, Pottery Barn Teen!).

[Elisa Maser]

Interesting thread. Totally agree it's a huge concern to think your kids might run into folks trying to survive by going thru trash cans (whether for food, ID theft, or just as recycling entrepreneurs).

Passing some kind of a law that would allow law enforcement to get people the help the need would be ok ... only I'm not sure that's esp. workable. First, law enforcement can't even keep up with law enforcement, much less add more social services to their duties. And yes, there are services for those in need ... that often require transportation, documentation, and many times, waiting periods. The budget cuts are cutting deeply into exactly these services at the same time demand is going up dramatically.

What' would be the penalty for breaking this law?

[Mike Caltagirone]

Since we're digressing a little here, you should also know that if you go to any of the three credit reporting agencies, you can have your named taken off the mailing list for credit card offers. It takes a little while to fully take effect but it eliminates that opportunity for fraud as well.

[dave aiazzi]

This just in......
Received a memo from the Reno City Attorney's Office (see attached). It points out two things to me. 1) Laws are ALREADY on the books regarding this 2) I hope you see what I have to go through reading a memo from an attorney.

[Wolfy]

It's sketchy. I don't have a problem with the recycling scavengers, though I don't think they hit us that much.

I guess the problem is that you don't want people sorting through your shit on their own terms. What if we put the trash out the day before the truck comes. If people want to sort it that's fine. Keep it in the yard until then.

It would be rad if we had a better system. A can for foodscraps and compostables, a can for all recyclables, and a can for dirty diapers. Less waste. But we waste so much now we shouldn't complain about people wanting to salvage something.

are you sure he wasn't looking for your "all your base are belong to us" shirt?

-M