Other Answers (24)

• Yes, it is illegal. That is a standard clause written into the language of waste removal franchises issued by most cities and counties. It is one way those collection companies can keep cost down and process all the rest of the non-profitable items to be recycled.
  
  However, there may be a loophole. Ask your neighbors!
  There was one enterprising young man in my neighborhood for a few years that did that. He came by one week on the evening before trash day. He asked if he could go through my recycle bins. In return, he offered to take all the bins (trash, recycle, yard waste) down to the street for me. Then once a week I would get a knock on my door. He would smile and let me know he was here and going through my bins, and remind me if there was any more trash that needed emptied.
  I am not sure how far down the road he went. Every week I would see him dragging huge bags away. He bought himself a pickup by the time he graduated high school. 11% 1 Vote
  http://laws.lp.findlaw.com/getcase/7th/c...
  http://lw.bna.com/lw/19980331/963361.htm
  http://serv1.law.emory.edu/sites/CRIMPRO... 0% 0 Votes
• Not at all. 0% 0 Votes
• yes. 0% 0 Votes