Q. I was on the way to bring out one last bag of garbage to the garbage can before it was picked up this morning. When I got out side the truck already had passed. Am I allowed to put my garbage into someone else's garbage can on the other side of the street which was not yet picked up yet or is that some form of transgression?
A. After consulting a group at random, it became apparent that most of the questioned would not mind someone leaving well-bagged recyclables by the curb next to theirs. Since there is no extra charge and no damage, littering or harm is incurred. This will evoke the principle of "zeh nehene vezeh lo chosar", meaning one should grant a favor to a friend if he does not suffer any damage or loss.
However most minded a stranger using their garbage or recyclable containers. If that is generally correct, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that you may place well bagged recyclables on the curb next to his, but not garbage if there is an extra charge or you are using the neighbors bin.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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