“Free to take” boxes can bring joy but risk fines

Boxes labelled “free to take” have become common in cities and rural areas, but leaving them in public places can be treated as illegal waste disposal, BR reported.

People often put out books, CDs, records, cups, pots, vases, pictures and children’s toys after clearing out their homes. The items may quickly find new owners and avoid being thrown away. Some people have also found musical instruments, clothes and furniture in such boxes.

Putting a box on a private windowsill or in a driveway is generally unproblematic. On public property, however, cities and municipalities may classify it as illegal dumping, an administrative offence.

Munich’s building department said the intention behind the boxes was commendable, because the items were not immediately thrown away. Mario Krüger of the city’s street-cleaning service said the boxes were therefore “tolerated to a certain extent”. However, public traffic areas had to remain clear and safe, and the items should be removed after a short time.

If boxes remain on pavements, particularly if rain gets in and they begin to look untidy, the person leaving them out risks a fine. They can obstruct pedestrians, blind people, people using walkers, parents with prams and wheelchair users. Broken crockery and glass can also create dangerous shards.

Items are also repeatedly left beside recycling collection points, where glass and plastic and metal packaging are collected. Munich’s municipal waste service said these locations were checked and cleaned regularly by private waste-disposal companies. The collection points are cleaned weekly, and leaving waste or “free to take” boxes beside or at them is not permitted. Fines can be imposed.

Munich’s district administrative authority said it had issued 25 penalty notices for illegal waste disposal this year, a figure in line with previous years. However, spokesperson Beate Winter said it was impossible to determine how many cases involved items marked “free to take”, because the data was not categorised that way.

The Consumer Advice Centre Bavaria recommends putting labelled giveaway boxes only on private property. If one is placed in a public area, it should not obstruct anyone. Co-owners and neighbours should be asked whether they object, and the box should contain only clean, well-maintained, age-appropriate and safe items.

The box should be brought inside in the evening and during rain, and any mess should be cleared up. People giving things away should monitor the box and avoid leaving it outside for days.