If you’re ready to drift off into the sunset with a dumpster full of discarded treasures, then Anne Arundel County is the place for you.
This county in Maryland is home to some of the friendliest dumpsters in the country, where local laws make it easy to find what you need in someone else’s trash can.
Yes, dumpster diving is legal in Anne Arundel County.
The county has a law banning littering, which makes it illegal to leave trash on public property without permission from the county.
However, no county ordinance makes dumpster diving on private property unlawful.
Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare told The Capital that he doesn’t see dumpster diving as a crime and doesn’t think anyone should be punished for doing it.
He also said that his police officers have no intention of arresting anyone for dumpster diving because they don’t consider it a serious crime. There are more important things they could be doing with their time.
But no county ordinance makes dumpster diving on private property illegal.
As you can see, Anne Arundel County has no county ordinance that makes dumpster diving on private property illegal. That doesn’t mean it’s legal everywhere in the county, however. Private property owners can set rules for their property and may or not allow people to dig through their trash.
If they don’t want you digging through the garbage and taking things out of it, they have every right to make that clear with signs or by talking directly with people who are doing so.
If you’re concerned about whether dumpster diving is allowed in other places around Maryland, check with your city government or police force.
You can legally dive into the trash cans of others in Anne Arundel County.
Dumpster diving is legal in Anne Arundel County.
In Maryland, it is illegal to dump trash on public property without permission from the county government.
However, you can legally dive into the trash cans of others in Anne Arundel County so long as you do not leave a mess behind.
Conclusion
But be sure to ask the property owner for permission before doing it. You might find some tasty food scraps or other treasures.
