Can You Throw Away Pennies in the Trash? Legal and Ethical Considerations
In the United States, the legal implications of tossing money, especially pennies, can be quite significant. While the law does not explicitly state that throwing money is illegal, such an action can still have serious consequences. This article explores the legal and ethical aspects of disposing of pennies and other U.S. currency, as well as the global perspective on similar practices in Canada.
US Currency Law and Legal Penalties
In the United States, it is unmistakably illegal to damage or destroy currency. Although the law may not explicitly mention the act of discarding money, tossing U.S. currency in the trash is often treated as destroying it. The U.S. currency law, particularly under the Banking Act of 1935, states that:
Coin and currency counterfeiting, forgery, and alteration is a serious offense.
This implies that defiling or destroying currency is also against the law. Moreover, it is explicitly illegal to deface a coin of any denomination with the intention of passing it as currency. The punishment for violating this law is particularly severe. Throwing away a penny or any amount of money can be considered a felony, with a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. This is because desecrating currency not only violates the law but also shows a profound disrespect for the value and integrity of American money.
A Historical Context: The Copper Shortage and Coin Recycling
Following the copper shortage in 2011, the production of pennies became increasingly challenging. Despite the difficulties, the government continues to take pennies that are not in circulation and polish them up for reuse. This practice not only saves the cost of minting but also recirculates the currency. Therefore, intentionally discarding pennies can be considered a waste of resources and a potential criminal act.
Canada and the Disposal of Pennies
While the situation is similar in Canada, the Canadian government has taken a more lenient stance. Destroying currency is a crime in Canada, but discarding it is not directly illegal. However, the idea of throwing pennies in the trash could be seen as an indirect form of destruction. It's worth noting that Canada stopped circulating pennies in 2012, making them effectively useless for most transactions.
Ethical Considerations and Charitable Suggestions
Even though legally disposing of pennies is not illegal, throwing them away is ethically questionable. Pennies, while of minimal value, add up over time. For instance, a family of four who collected change and put it in a jar eventually saved enough to take a free vacation. This story highlights the potential value in saving even small amounts of money.
If you have a friend who doesn’t want to keep his pennies, encouraging him to collect them and donate them to a local charity or animal shelter is a constructive way to address the situation. By doing so, the pennies can still contribute positively to society rather than being wasted.
Conclusion and Call to Action
While it is not illegal to throw away pennies in the United States, the ethical and practical considerations make it a poor choice. For those who wish to dispose of pennies, transformative solutions like donating to charity or collecting for a good cause offer a meaningful alternative. Let's ensure that even the smallest coins contribute to bigger, better causes.