Getting picked on at the recycle bins...

[gaijingirl]

OK, my fellow couponers (and especially my fellow dumpster divers), I need some help and/or support and/or advice on knowing what to do: I have a random lady who has suddenly chosen me out as a random person at the recycle bins to bully....or that's what it's feeling like, at least.:shrug7:

I go to the recycle bins about once a week. I drop off my extra paper and then I look for coupons.
From reading on this board as well as other online sources it seems that there is no federal law against it. I have not found any sources in my area that say it is illegal and I looked through the big book of Metro laws and ordinances at the library and couldn't find anything in there either. In fact, there was an article a couple of years back in the Tennessean talking about Freegans and the reporter researched it also and said that it was, in fact, legal in Metro Nashville/Davidson Co. Now, I understand some people might think it's a bit strange to dig through recycle bins for coupons, but I honestly can't find anything that says it is not legal.
So, last week I had barely got there when some lady drove up and honked her horn at me. Then she drove around in a circle, came back and yelled at me, "That's illegal!" I said, "No, actually it's not." She says, "What you are doing is illegal. You can't look through other peoples trash!" (I think we couponers would say that calling what's in that bin "trash" is subject to individual opinion. haha.) And then she drives away. It kind of baffled me, because she wasn't even dropping off her recycling. It was like she drove up to me just to give me a hard time.

Then, today at the recycle bins, I had barely just got there again, had a short conversation with a girl also digging, looking for magazines, and had just pulled one insert out when this crazy lady drives up again, pulls out her cell phone and says, "smile!" and takes a picture of me with her phone!
Can you believe that?! Funny thing was, when she took this picture, I was not even at the bins, I was walking away from them and so what could even she say I was doing that was so bad (in her mind) ? Is that supposed to be some kind of "proof" or to scare me away? I said to her, "There is nothing wrong with looking for coupons! There was even a 1988 supreme court ruling which basically said it's to be expected that if you put your trash out, people and animals can and probably will go through it and it's not illegal!"
And, although it's hard to explain without seeing these bins and the parking lot they are in, she drove away by backing away rather than driving forward, which was a totally abnormal thing to do in this situation. I'm positive she did it so that I could not see her license plate or identify her in any way. It was just really weird. She seriously had this all planned out. I just can't figure out what she was really hoping to accomplish. If you really thought someone was doing something illegal, to the point where you felt the need to stalk out an area and wait for them, why would you not just call the proper authorities? Like I say, I only go about once a week, so it's not like she would know exactly when to expect I would go there....so weird.

There was a guy there who said, "what was that?!" I told him I was just looking for coupons and he said he thought that was totally fine and that woman must have way too much time on her hands to go around harassing people.

So, what do I do now? I tried to research laws regarding dumster diving as much as possible and from what I can find, I haven't obtained any evidence that it is illegal in this county and area.and apparently, a lot of other people I see dumpster diving in the same place must think it's OK too. But, at the same time, I don't want to deal with a person like this and I think that if they are weird enough to go out of their way to specifically confront someone what else would they do? I mean, it would even be more normal and acceptable to me if she called the cops because she thought I was doing something illegal, but to drive up and take a picture of someone? What in the world is she going to do with it? I think this woman must work somewhere near there and has noticed who I am specifically because she can easily see my car as it is very bright red (I got it that way so I would stop forgetting where it was in the big parking lots. So, it is noticeable.) But, it's so odd because it's not like I go there very often (once a week) and she is not there to recycle...drives up specifically minutes after I arrive to harass me!

My husband said I should take my video camera with me and if she comes back I can whip it out and document what she does so I can prove if anything happens and that I have been (and will continue to be) completely civil towards her craziness. But, could I get it out of my bag fast enough if I've got my hands in newspapers? lol. I don't like dealing with mean people, but how will I get my coupons??

If any of you have any advice please share. If anyone is in the Nashville area, please let me know if you know anything about a city law regarding dumpster diving here that I may not have been able to find. Also, if you are in the area and want a partner to look for coupons with, let me know. I might feel better with a supporter after this....

[notsyourbeezwax]

I would probably report HER to the police. Even if you do not have her name or license #, you need to get a record of the harrassment on record. She sounds obsessive to me, and such people have no sense of proportion. This may escalate if you do not take steps to protect yourself.

Emotionally, I like the idea of turning the tables on her with a video camera, but my brain says that if she is not playing with a full deck, she might react badly to this. Please be careful, it is not a safe world out there.

[Onward]

So, what do I do now? I tried to research laws regarding dumster diving as much as possible and from what I can find, I haven't obtained any evidence that it is illegal in this county and area.

Have you called the company/government office that operates the recycling center & asked them if it's legal? I'm sure they would give you a yes or no answer.

[mainelycoupons]

I would call the company contracted to collect the bins if they are on personal property (aka the curb) or the company in charge of maintaining the transfer station/dump.

Most places it is against the rules to dig through piles once people place their stuff there-be it metal bin, bottles or paper. These recyclable commodities are sold by the town to offset the budget and stealing from them, even well intentioned is perceived as taking cash out of their pockets.

I can't dig through mine as it sits below ground level to make it easier to chuck stuff in them, but when they were in a dumpster sitting on ground level we weren't allowed to sort through them. Between liability and taking away revenue it was a no go.

[Ggbwg]

If it were me, i would have someone go with me. Then i would have that person have my phone ready to take the pic/ video. I would then find a way to get that person's license #.

I then would call the police and tell them that this person is stalking/harrassing me. Tell them you would like them to meet you on your location of where you are at for the dumpster. I would explain everything to them, show them the pics & video of her. Then see what kind of advice they could give me.

That's just me though. Good luck to with whatever you can find out/do.

[frugalmommie22]

I know nothing about Nashville laws, but I have dumpster dived in the past and the laws in my area state that I can't go on personal property. So, I dumpster dive along the college and public properties.

As far as the woman. I would take my husband with. Have my husband get her license plate and take photos as well. Then I would call the owners of the recycling center and find out what the rules are. If you know that you are NOT breaking the rules, then call the police and file harrasment charges against the woman.

Be careful, but also be strong.

[shashabell]

I'm wondering why she cares so much. Did she put something in there that she shouldn't have or is she upset because she wanted to dive for coupons herself?
I wouldn't go there by myself with her coming around like that. I like the idea of having someone to turn the tables on her and get her picture and make a police report of harrassement.

[mxmom99]

as for taking pictures, i have actually done that (we have a man that comes weekly to throw his trash into the dumpster at the park across the street). if i were you i would call whoever owns that dumpster/rec. center and make sure you are not doing anything illegal. once you know you are not and have their permission, i think i would have to smile and wave at the lady who is giving you a hard time. i would also be safe and not go alone anymore. you could possibly have someone meet you there (from the dumpster co.) to confront the lady and tell her you have permission to be there.

i wish i had a place to get extra inserts, our recycling center is at the dump and there are signs everywhere saying you cannot look thru the bins.

[shoppinglinda223]

Sounds to me like she might be trying to intimidate you so you will stop the dumpster diving. Why is the question? Me thinks she is a diver herself and wants to scare away the competition! Next time just smile and blow her a kiss.

[Colinsgrandma]

I've always had someone with me when I go. We usually tell people as soon as they drive up that we are just looking for coupons lots of times they go through the papers for us and pull the coupons. Try not to act guilty. I always bring my papers to make up for any paper I take.