Something I was thinking of regarding the legality; ie is it really stealing seeing as it's garbage.
I wonder if one could argue that one has a contract with the city; that by paying taxes one of the services is that the city will take household items that I want destroyed, and the city will do so.
Under the city bylaws, one is not permitted to burn garbage at home.
link So the only way one has to ensure these items are taken away is the weekly garbage service that is offered by the city. By the neighbour taking the garbage; they are interfering with that process.
Or, another way of looking at it; if I hear the Cub Scouts are having a bottle drive, and somebody else takes the bottles I've put out for them, would that not be stealing as well?