Putting out the Bins on Yom Tov

Question: Can I take the bins out on Yom Tov to be emptied and bring them back afterwards?

Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 308:35) permits removing a chamber pot (graf shel rei’i) on Shabbos. Although rubbish is typically considered muktze, one may remove it due to its unpleasantness.

R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 22:46; n126) rules that one may empty an overflowing or malodorous bin on Shabbos without needing to carry it out with a shinui (ibid. n126). R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 5:21:2) clarifies whether rubbish qualifies as graf shel rei’i or not depends on the extent to which an individual finds the unsightly rubbish bothersome. Similarly, R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:232:2; 6:180) notices that since most people nowadays are bothered by overflowing bins, they may be emptied on Shabbos. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 5:21:9) further advises that while the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 308:60) recommends having a non-Jewish person remove it on Shabbos, one should not ask a child to do so, lest they may grow up misunderstanding the rules of muktze.

R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 7:303:1) permits taking bins out to the street for collection on Yom Tov, though he recommends doing so before Yom Tov if possible. The Steipler Gaon (quoted in Nitei Gavriel, Yom Tov 22:20; n29) also allows one to remove rubbish bags and bins to the street on Yom Tov, considering a clean house essential for Yom Tov.

While ideally the bin should remain on the street until after Yom Tov, R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:222:19) permits bringing it back into one’s yard on Shabbos or Yom Tov either if needed for more rubbish or due to theft concerns. The Chazon Ish held that modern bins, being made of non-absorbent materials like plastic or metal, do not retain odours like ancient earthenware chamber pots and thus do not have the same muktze status when emptied (see Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 22:45).

In conclusion, while it is preferable to place the bins out on the street before Yom Tov and collect them afterwards, one may do so on Yom Tov if necessary. 

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