I take out the trash Tuesday evenings, it is picked up by the city on Wednesday morning, and I take the cans back in usually Wednesday evening. As my trash sits near the street ready for pick-up, it is kind of assumed to be "available to the public." If someone wants something that I have decided to throw away, generally they are welcome to it. One person's trash is another's treasure as they say. It is also accepted that one may discard a small amount of trash into someone else's trash can, within reason, ASSUMING IT HAS NOT BEEN COLLECTED YET!
Once the trashcan has been emptied, LEAVE IT ALONE! You have missed your window of opportunity. Somewhere between the street and my grass is the public/private domain line. When the can is empty and placed on my side of the sidewalk, stay away from it.
Last week when retrieving the trash can, I notice a small Ziploc bag of what I can only assume is poo, or maybe an undercooked brownie in my trash can. This is now something I will "own" for the next week. I do not consider it treasure. It will reside in the bottom of the trash can in my garage until next trash day. Most likely polluting my house. I say most likely since I chose not to check the seal. But if someone is too lazy to carry their own dogs#*t back to their own house, I am guessing they probably half-assed the seal, not unlike the majority of grocery store deli employees. Kudos, for taking the extra step above the "let'em go, I'm too drunk to scoop" crowd, but I don't pee on your car when I walk and realize I have to go, because the bumper is hovering over the sidewalk and your SUV is Port-o-let colored.
Like a waterfall in slow motion, Part One
2 years ago