It is generally considered legal for people to rummage through trash that has been left in a public area such as a curb for pickup. Once the garbage is placed in such a place, the person has basically forfeited their ownership rights to the items, as the property is now in the public domain.

Is bin raiding illegal?

If you're looking for ways to claim 10 cents on an eligible container through the NSW Government's 'Return and Earn' program, think twice about stealing containers from someone else's bin.

Is scavenging illegal?

Simply put, yes, scavenging is illegal. There are local, state, and federal laws that all make scavenging an illegal activity. Your garbage and recycling service is a business transaction and contract between you and your community and your waste hauler.