[Bookie]

The legality of dumpster diving is probably a matter for local regulation. I'm sure someone could be prosecuted for the practice under some existing statute or other -- trespassing, littering, whatever.

People do climb into dumpsters. A couple of years ago a street person was trapped in the dumpster at my office complex. He climbed in to collect drink cans, and one of the maintenance people shut the door. Luckily someone heard him hammering and yelling.