It's criminal. You can't use someone else's property for your own devices. It's that simple. In Ohio it's considered just littering and punishable just... with incarceration. Violation of this statute constitutes a misdemeanor of the third degree. If convicted of such an offense, the court may sentence the offender up to sixty (60) days in jail and issue a fine up to five hundred dollars ($500). Furthermore, pursuant to Revised Code section 3767.99(C), the court may order Fred to return to the property and remove his trash. If you find yourself in such a situation, as even a misdemeanor of the third degree can have other serious ramifications in addition to those stated above. In Texas it's illegal dumping. It is illegal to place trash, litter or solid waste into a private business dumpster with out the permission of the business owner. This carries the same punishment range as illegal dumping. Illegal use of a dumpster is also considered Theft of Service under the Texas Penal Code (31.04) which is a Class B Misdemeanor. Both charges can be filed at the same, constituting two separate offenses. In Pennsylvania it depends on the jurisdiction, but in the state it's considered theft of services. Should I go on?