New York Law, Is It Legal to Throw Trash In Your Neighbor’s Can?

Are you a rule follower? I tend to be one that tries to do the right thing, almost to a fault. For example, I picked up after my dog on a recent walk and I held onto the bag until I got back to my house. My friends told me to just toss it in a neighbor's trash can.

Who was right in this situation? Is the decision to throw garbage in my neighbor's trash can or not throw garbage in their can a moral decision or a legal issue? In New York it could be a legal issue.

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If you throw garbage away in someone's trash can, you may be doing a good thing by disposing of garbage, but are you going to make an enemy of your neighbor? Worse yet, are you breaking the law?

According to the New York Department of Sanitation, it IS illegal to dump your trash into any dumpster that sits on private or public property, unless you are authorized to. This includes but not limited to dirt, building rubbish, household waste, manure and garbage.

The fines for illegal dumping in New York range from $4,000 - $18,000 but what about throwing trash in your neighbors can? There is nothing that specifically states that it is illegal to throw your trash in someone's can but many residents would not appreciate it.

If you are tossing a small item, most won't care. If you are getting rid of stinky, smelly, bulky, hazardous trash, most will not be pleased. Best thing to do is ask before you trash.