Can my MS neighbor legally put their trash in my garbage can? What state law says
Have you ever needed to dispose of something but the nearest trash can was a residential one? If so, you may have wondered if it’s okay to get rid of your trash in someone else’s trash can.
Well, here’s what Mississippi law says about that.
Can my MS neighbor put their trash in my garbage can?
No, putting trash in a neighbor’s garbage can — or any trash that is not public — is considered illegal dumping, according to Mississippi law.
Doing so may also cause your neighbor to have to pay a fine for something they didn’t do.
“Your neighbor may have to pay for the excess weight that has been added to their trash can, which means their monthly bill will increase,” Elena Navarro, professional organizer and cleaner with Sparkly Maids Austin told The Spruce. “And in some jurisdictions, the neighbor may receive a fine for the improper trash disposal, even though you were the one who threw it in their trash can.”
Can I report illegal dumping in MS?
To report illegal dumping in Mississippi, you can contact your local law enforcement agency, local solid waste enforcement officer or file a complaint with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Here’s what you need to report illegal dumping in MS, according to the MDEQ:
- The exact location of the illegal dumping
- The responsible party, if known
- The types of wastes involved
- The problems you are experiencing
- The date and time of incidents
- Any information you may have on the vehicle involved in the illegal dumping
What are the penalties of illegal dumping in MS?
Illegal dumping in Mississippi can be punished by fines or prison time, according to state law.
Here’s what you could face by weight:
- 15 pounds or less or 27 feet in volume: guilty of littering
- 15-499 pounds: $100-$1,000, one year of imprisonment or both
- 500 pounds or more: $500-$50,000
