

If Ambitions is installed, Sims working in the investigator profession may be tasked with searching through another Sim's trash can to gather evidence. Unlike previous games, the player can simply drag and drop disposable items, such as newspapers and plates, onto the garbage can to dispose of them. Sims working in the law enforcement career can search through garbage cans to build their job performance. Like in The Sims 2, Sims can be directed to rummage through trash cans, and may also do so autonomously even if they lack the slob trait. Trash cans can be moved around in The Sims 3 without the use of the moveobjects cheat. A trash can that has been knocked over will produce a pile of trash, and must be picked up by a teen or older Sim before it can be used for garbage disposal again. Children and teens with a low aspiration score may also autonomously kick the outdoor trash can, and messy pets may knock it over. Passersby may also kick the outdoor trash can over if they are enemies or furious with one of the members of the household, or if they have very few nice points.

This will come at a slight cost to hygiene. Sims with less than two neat points can "Salvage" from the outdoor trash can, which yields the scavenging Sim a few Simoleons if they find something.

Sims may autonomously empty a garbage can even if it is not yet full. Garbage cans function similarly to those in The Sims. You can help The Sims Wiki by expanding this section. This section is in need of additional information. These trash cans will eventually need to be emptied into the outdoor trash can, which does not need to be emptied. Players can also purchase smaller trash containers for use indoors that allow Sims to temporarily dispose of garbage in them.
