General Questions About Insert Coupons - Ask them here!

*sparkles* · 08-05-2006, 06:14:06 PM

I'm curious as to what the laws are on taking ppl's papers out of their recycling bins. Is this a big no no....

I have to admit I did this last week. I went to local dumpsters only to find out I was too late...so knowing that it was garbage night I went around our neighborhood late at night and took ppls papers...

I felt so horribly guilty the whole time and was really worried about getting into trouble....

kurlisola · 08-05-2006, 07:23:03 PM

I wouldn't take from homeowners recycle bins because it can cause all sorts of problems if you are caught. Thats the last thing you need is fighting with your neighbors or having them point at you & make comments to others.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone doing that (at least not on a regular basis). I know that if I caught someone going through my stuff, I'd have a fit...never know if they are looking for discarded credit card offers or whatnot & involved in identity theft or just plain stalking.

So, I'd say, its probably not worth the hassle.

You should get another source for your inserts. I have 3 separate and distinct sources. That way, if one falls through, I have backups. Been occasions were 2 fell through...so imho, 3 is best.

mama22qts · 08-05-2006, 07:52:03 PM

I go to our local recycling center for inserts. I have cleared it with them; they have no problem with my coming and searching through the bins. There have been times that the guys would help me look through too. I explained to them a couple of years ago that I use coupons and stock my local food pantry with the proceeds, and they have been very nice about it since then.

OP, I think the law differ from state to state, and maybe even city to city. One thing I would steer clear of is the homeowners' bins out in front of their houses. I'd never want to be caught digging in someone else's recycling bin.:nono:

queenofthehivemomof5 · 08-05-2006, 08:17:56 PM

I do think the laws will vary from city to city so if this is what you want to do I would ask first.

My motto with couponing is "It doesnt hurt to ask"

I don't think I personaly would go through the bins out in front of ppls houses even if it was legal because people might get weird on you. I couldn't do it anyways because all our recycling is called blue bag and people put some nasty stuff in thier blue bags.

*sparkles* · 08-06-2006, 12:22:08 AM

thank you for your responses...i totally agree with you all. I was desperate for those palmolive coupons and so dissapointed when all the dumpsters i went to were empty. thankfully it was really, really late at night. i wouldn't be able to do it again cuz i felt so weird but just wanted to know if i could've gotten in trouble. my next task is to figure out where to get them from...I'm going to call around on Sunday and see if any stores/gas stations/etc will help me out...also I'm determined to figure out the dumpster pick up times.

kurlisola · 08-06-2006, 01:02:20 AM

Don't call...you'll get a better response in person. I was turned down about 100 times before I found my sources.

Also, I would say that the best idea, if you live near some moderate to upscale hotels; is find out which ones offer complimentary newspapers. Head to their breakfast lounge around 10am on Sunday & you should see them scattered everywhere. Just pick up the inserts you need:-) After you see if its worth it, you can always ask one of the housekeeping ladies (who will have to clean up that mess). Slip her a couple bottles of shampoo & you're set-lol!

queenofthehivemomof5 · 08-06-2006, 01:11:24 AM

As far as Recycling bin dumpsters...go every morning for a week or two and check them out. Make notes (mental or on paper) of what you find and dont find. 2 weeks is good I think you should be able to tell within that time frame if the paper carriers dump whole stacks of papers and on what day/s and what day/days the dumpster is emptied.

I agree with Lisa in that asking at gas stations and the like is best done in person. If you call you are more apt to be easily brushed off as a nutso. LOL

*sparkles* · 08-06-2006, 02:55:46 AM

thank you for the tips!!!! I'm learning so much :yourock:

collectorofbells · 09-20-2006, 05:17:47 AM

forget the bookstores LOL

I work at one, even though we do recycle the papers that don't sell, Corporate requires that we send it back to them and they then recycle-there are cameras everywhere so I can't sneak the inserts out the back door LOL

you'll do better at locally owned places

Shopz2Much · 09-20-2006, 02:27:03 PM

My best places for making friends and getting inserts...

1. The local stores that put all the paper out for recycling at 10pm on Sunday night. Drive by, open the trunk, throw the whole thing in the trunk (ok, I admit, I sit in the car and DH does that...). We then go through them in the comfort of our driveway and toss the papers in clear plastic bags for OUR recycling guy to pick up on Wednesday.
2. HOTELS - Oh my God. Great source! Depending on the size of the hotel, they could have hundreds! Promise a big monthly goody bag to the front desk guy and he'll be your best friend.
3. Big commercial apartment buildings (if you live in a metropolitan area) get bulk deliveries of SmartSouce, typically on Friday. They dump them with the pharmacy circulars in the lobby. Ask the Superintendent or Doorman, they'll be glad to see them gone.