Then put a lock on the trash bin and give a key/access code to the recycler. Problem solved. In my country we have poor people making a living on recyclables.

Then put a lock on the trash bin and give a key/access code to the recycler. Problem solved. In my country we have poor people making a living on recyclables. They usually carry carboad by push carts. I would have a problem if these vulnerable people got prosecuted for cardboard "theft".