TECHNICALLY it would be stealing (the trash either belongs to whoever put it there, or else to the trash collector) but often nobody cares.
...TECHNICALLY it would be stealing (the trash either belongs to whoever put it there, or else to the trash collector)...
But LEGALLY, trash/garbage is considered abandoned and that the owner gave up legal ownership by throwing it away.
That’s why cops can conduct searches of refuse like that for evidence without a warrant. You have no expectation of privacy in your garbage once it’s outside for pickup.
The precedent for this was set by a Dylan fan who continually went through his garbage outside searching for memorabilia. The Court said no problem.
FWIW: In CA at least, the recyclables are explicitly said to be the property of the recycling company. It’s part of their deal with the city. Early-morning bin-diving by homeless &c on trash day is a big problem and occasionally leads to arrests, believe it or not.