Citation needed. I tried to figure out which one of us is correct, or at least more correct and this is the best I could do: http://www.opsecprofessionals.org/articles/dumpsterdiving.ht...

As always, depends on state and local ordnances. If you are on private property you can always get hit with trespass, but the actual trash picking is typically legal. Many licensed PIs make their living going through other people's trash. In short, buy a shredder.