The Atascadero City Council is scheduled to vote on whether or not to enact an anti-dumpster diving ordinance at Tuesday’s council meeting.
After receiving multiple complaints about people rummaging through dumpsters searching for recyclables, city staff is proposing an anti-scavenging ordinance. If passed, those caught going through trash will have committed an infraction and could receive a ticket.
Nevertheless, a state law already prohibits taking recyclables from recycle containers.
Scavenging, according to the city staff report, leads to loitering, identity theft and trash left on the ground.
Throughout the world, foraging through trash for usable items is usually done because of economic issues. However, dumpster diving is also done by private and public investigators seeking information.
