Collecting Recyclables in NYC without permission... - Page 2

A license does not make a good driver, it is only a government control and a way to make taxation more convienant.

I agree that there needs to be regulations and the law in NYC is what it is and should be followed. As far as the unsafe ewaste facility you saw I reccomend you notify the proper authorities. But make no mistake that licensed is no guarantee that it is proper or lawful operation.

I sell my ewaste to a buyer who is a responsible businessman whom I trust is doing things right. When you are a member of this forum for a while longer I believe you will notice that illegal behavior will not be tolerated. I guess it was the thing that rubbed me the wrong way was the repeated admonishment to get the NYC license. It stuck me that you don't know the members here very well yet. I hope you stick around long enough to get to know more of us. Mike.

Originally Posted by admin

It's not up to a poll, the bottom line is whether or not it is LEGAL. The legalities of this vary, some places it's legal some places it's not.

In NYC as described the the OP of this thread, it seems to be ILLEGAL because the city assumes that they will in fact make a certain amount of profit from the recyclables put out on trash day. To put it bluntly, THEY'RE IMMEDIATELY TAKING OWNERSHIP OF RECYCLABLES PLACED CURBSIDE.

On another note there's two sides to the story. Some people might not want strangers picking through the garbage put outside their home for whatever reason, where others might look at it in a way they don't mind helping someone out, if you're going to make a few bucks all the power to you. But again, it's all an individual perspective, some towns allow it, some don't, some people don't mind, some people do.

The same goes with 'dumpster diving', some places it's ok, some places it's not. Some people WANT scrap in their own dumpster, whether it's mixed with trash or not because they know it's worth money and they're going to pick through THEIR OWN DUMPSTER later on. No matter what the situation is you should always be respectful, considerate and aware of the community you live in, its laws and its people.

Here, for example, 'dumpster diving' is legal SO LONG as the dumpster is an OPEN dumpster, it is not fenced in, posted as private property, or stated via a sign or otherwise that you should not go through the dumpster.

All I'm saying is, regardless of opinion, laws are laws, and privacy is privacy.

I need to change my verbage....The poll should read Do you think curbside trash pickin should be illegal...........Of course the answer would be a resounding no except for the few who think they are taking a hit from the small time curb scrappers...........I personally don't trash pick anymore as I buy large quanities of e-scrap and dismantle......If I needed the money I for sure would be running alleys, curbs, etc.......Use common sense, make sure your drivers liscense is legit and your truck is insured and you should have little problem. This type of scrapping to me was always a gray area......Is the item truly on the curb or is it 2 inches away from the curb in someone's yard.......Oh well in large cities trash picking will eventually be illegal and those "small timers" who were pumping their hard earned scrap money back into the economy will once again have to rely on the gov't to lend a helping hand..........This is a good discussion and I have my own opinions which don't amount to SPIT