Individual going through recycling bin

[u/Fantastic_Ad_1632]

I had just gotten home from work today and taken a shower when I looked outside to double check that I had actually taken the garbage out 😅. That’s when I noticed somebody going through my bin, looking for something.

This is honestly pretty unsettling, and I’m wondering if I should report it or just leave it alone. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any feedback would be appreciated.

[u/TheSirBeefCake]

Someone is probably just looking through someone's trash to find a treasure for themselves. Or if recycling, looking for some beer cans or liquor bottles to return. However, if it was only my bin they rummaged through and not any of my neighbours, then I would be concerned.

[u/Fantastic_Ad_1632 → u/TheSirBeefCake]

It was only my trash that was looked through I saw the person get in their car and drive off

[u/psodstrikesback → u/Fantastic_Ad_1632]

That's weird. You're right to be freaked out about this.

[u/Captain_troublepants → u/psodstrikesback]

Nahh, OP is likely a drinker and they know her bin has a few bucks. They likely have a route and their house is on it.

[u/DrSimonLocke → u/Fantastic_Ad_1632]

Could be a private detective doing an investigation on you. If the trash is on the curb, they can rummage through it and look for things of yours.

Did you commit any insurance fraud lately or crimes, citizen?

[u/Silverlightlive → u/TheSirBeefCake]

They say they are looking for beer bottles but are doing surveillance.

[u/OrganizedChaos7121]

I used to live in an area where the same homeless guy would come around bi-weekly, grabbing everyone's empties. It's not always an extreme situation.

[u/CatsGoHiking → u/OrganizedChaos7121]

Yes, we started leaving them outside the box for him so he didn't have to dig.

[u/CobraCommanderr]

You've never seen someone look for cans or bottles in the trash before? Yes, it is "unsettling" that some have to dig through trash to earn a few pennies in this world.

[u/Warm_Collection_3993 → u/CobraCommanderr]

OP said the person only checked his bin and got in a car and drove off…not really an economical way to make a few pennies.

[u/JakeasaurusR3x]

There is a couple who comes around regularly in Peel Village. They pick up anything with scrap metals that might be worth some money for recycling. Alcohol bottles/cans too I think.

[u/aaffpp]

As long as they don't make a mess. Paperwork alert. MAKE SHURE you shread bank statements, bills, etc

[u/awkintghtspaces12]

Times are hard... Welcome to a Tale of Two Cities

[u/csbert]

Let me guess: you were born here and never lived in a big city before.

[u/Arcade1980]

Buy a shredder and shred important documents. That's one way for identity theft. Or they are struggling and looking to recycle aluminum products for some cash.

[u/mrcanoehead2]

Looking to make money from taking recycling to the metal recycling. Leave it alone. You have already deamed it garbage.

[u/Silverlightlive]

That may be a home surveillance job. Make sure to burn your receipts and bills, because private detectives can do a lot with very little effort.

Best of luck to you in the future.

[u/Fantastic_Ad_1632 → u/Silverlightlive]

Just ordered a whole home security system.

[u/DrSimonLocke → u/Fantastic_Ad_1632]

That won't do anything if you keep throwing financial documents in the trash.

Shred all important papers.

[u/Antman013 → u/Fantastic_Ad_1632]

I wonder if the guy who comes to install it will be the guy who was rummaging through your bin?

Great sales tactic.

[u/Silverlightlive → u/Fantastic_Ad_1632]

Not a bad plan. This could be a phishing attempt, but it's best to be prepared.

[u/Iceafterlife]

Who cares, if ya didn’t want it it wouldn’t be in the trash. Maybe they will make a couple bucks.

[u/LadyMelodi]

That person is probably looking for something to eat. Or it could be recyclables. Do not report them. What are they going to get charged with being poor?