Can I Leave Chometz in My Garbage Can?

Ask the Rov: Can I throw chametz in the garbage bin on Erev Pesach and leave it by the street until the pickup, which arrives after the zman of biyur chometz?

By Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin – Rov of Anash in Petach Tikvah

During Pesach, it’s prohibited to own chametzmin haTorah this applies to the volume of a kezayis, while mid’rabanan one may not possess even a smaller piece that is edible. One may not possess it even for a moment, and every extra moment is an additional transgression (unless he is actively in the process of removing it).1

The Rosh writes that Yidden are holy and go beyond the letter of the law, to scrape away even the smallest crumbs of chametz.2 For this reason, one should clean even the garbage cans in the house so that they shouldn’t have any chametz crumbs. However, public garbage cans are city property, and even if they are situated in one’s private property, there is no obligation to clean them from chametz.3

What about placing chametz garbage in a garbage can where it will remain after the time of biur chametz?

When one places chametz in the garbage, it’s clearly evident that he isn’t interested in the chametz and has made it hefker (ownerless), even if it is still edible. Yet, Chazal require that besides for disowning chametz, one must also take it out to public property, to preclude the concern that one may come to eat it.4 Although it isn’t likely that one will eat the chametz in the garbage can, the requirement still stands.

Therefore, one may leave chametz in a city-owned garbage can within one’s property, but not in his own private or building-owned garbage can. An option for chametz in one’s private garbage can is to pour bleach or something else that will render chametz inedible. This will satisfy even the requirement of Chazal, as there is no longer any concern that one may come to eat it.5

If one owns a garbage can in which chametz may be placed on Pesach — or in a shared building where there is a joint garbage area — the garbage can should be included in one’s sale of chametz, so that it shouldn’t G-d forbid acquire chametz on his behalf during Pesach.6 (In this case, that garbage can shouldn’t be used during Pesach.) Certainly, one should have in mind that he does not wish this garbage can to acquire any chametz on his behalf.

See Sources (open PDF)

From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash

Discussion
In keeping in line with the Rabbonim's policies for websites, we do not allow comments. However, our Rabbonim have approved of including input on articles of substance (Torah, history, memories etc.)

We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

advertise package