Legal or Illegal, Going Through Your Neighbor’s Garbage

One person's trash is another person's treasure...or something. Is it illegal to 'dumpster dive' in Illinois? Fox2Now

So you are driving down the street and there's a neighbor with a mountain of garbage out in front of their home. As you pass by you think, wow that chair would totally match my living room and it looks like it's in good shape...Maybe I should turn around and go grab it.

You are taking something from another person's property. Yes, they had it out on the curb but it is still on their property. Wait...there's more in these garbage bins, maybe I'll do a little "dumpster diving" and start going through all this.

Is what you are doing, "dumpster diving" illegal in Illinois? Can you legally go through someone's garbage? Here's the legal breakdown on all of this:

Dumpster diving is NOT illegal in Illinois only if you are not caught trespassing. This means you can dive into public dumpsters, pickups, and curbs as long as you don’t trespass on private property. If you’re caught doing this, you could be charged.” - Fox2Now

So enjoy looking through garbage, finding that extra seat cushion that will complete your kitchen...But, don't take it to the person's front porch, or help yourself to their garage...then you will be in trouble. Makes sense.