I’ve been kicked out of local junkyards ½ dozen times or so now. It’s a tricky game of trying to reach the waste pile when no one is looking, and also seeing who is on duty in hopes of at least ensuring that the same person doesn’t experience the pattern of kicking you out multiple times. Perhaps they would get aggressive and even block you from dumping stuff if you’re kicked out too much.
Strictly speaking, it’s theft to take stuff from the junkyard. To be clear, the junkyards in my area do not sell parts. They just melt and refine the waste. The melt value is naturally less than the as-is value to someone who would repair or reuse.
IMO, the #rightToRepair movement needs to expand to give the public access to junk before it’s recycled or dumped into landfills.
Off-topic, but this post reminded me of the show Scrapheap Challenge (Junkyard Wars in the US) and how much I miss it.
Back on topic, I fully agree. The best we really have is that it’s not illegal (at least in my area) to pick up junk people have set out as trash before it’s picked up by the sanitation crew. It’s not uncommon for vacuum cleaners, lamps, or couches to disappear while the rest of your garbage is left behind for regular trash pickup.