1. Joined
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    25 Sep '14 00:43
    The City of Seattle just passed a new trash ordinance that would fine residents and businesses for throwing away too much food.
    The new rules would allow garbage collectors to inspect trash cans and ticket offending parties if food and compostable material makes up 10 percent or more of the trash.
    The fines will begin at $1 for residents and $50 for businesses and apartment buildings, according to the Seattle Times.
    Seattle Public Utilities requested the new rules after falling short of its recycling goals of 60 percent of trash by 2015, according to the Times. The recycling rate in 2013 was 56 percent.
    The Seattle city council vote on the new rules was 9-0.
  2. The Catbird's Seat
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    25 Sep '14 02:371 edit
    Originally posted by Hugh Glass
    The City of Seattle just passed a new trash ordinance that would fine residents and businesses for throwing away too much food.
    The new rules would allow garbage collectors to inspect trash cans and ticket offending parties if food and compostable material makes up 10 percent or more of the trash.
    The fines will begin at $1 for residents and $50 for bus ...[text shortened]... recycling rate in 2013 was 56 percent.
    The Seattle city council vote on the new rules was 9-0.
    It isn't really surprising. One of the things governments do well is find activities they know won't stop. What comes to pass is a defacto new tax which they get to spend.
  3. Standard memberRJHinds
    The Near Genius
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    25 Sep '14 03:11
    Originally posted by normbenign
    It isn't really surprising. One of the things governments do well is fine activities they know won't stop. What comes to pass is a defacto new tax which they get to spend.
    Most of the people that run for those city council jobs seem to be people who enjoy spending other people's money.
  4. Joined
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    25 Sep '14 15:501 edit
    Originally posted by Hugh Glass
    The City of Seattle just passed a new trash ordinance that would fine residents and businesses for throwing away too much food.
    The new rules would allow garbage collectors to inspect trash cans and ticket offending parties if food and compostable material makes up 10 percent or more of the trash.
    The fines will begin at $1 for residents and $50 for bus ...[text shortened]... recycling rate in 2013 was 56 percent.
    The Seattle city council vote on the new rules was 9-0.
    Is there something wrong with democracy?

    quote:

    Seattle Form of Government

    Seattle is a Charter City with a Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor is directly elected by the voters and most executive departments report to the Mayor. There are nine City Councilmembers, two of whom are elected at-large, with the other seven elected by district. The only other elected position is the City Attorney, who is also elected at-large. The regular term of all offices is four years.

    Candidates for these offices must be U.S. Citizens, registered voters in the City of Seattle at the time they file their declaration of candidacy, and able to read and write the English language.

    All City office elections are non-partisan, which means the top two vote-getters in the primary election are placed on the general election ballot. This is true regardless of whether or not one candidate received a majority of the primary vote. If two people or less file declarations of candidacy for any of these offices, that office does not appear on the primary election ballot, but does appear on the general election ballot. Parties do not nominate candidates to appear on the ballot and the ballots do not identify the candidates by party. Parties can and do endorse and support certain candidates, but play no other role in nominating candidates or determining who is placed on the primary or general election ballot.

    unquote

    http://www2.ci.seattle.wa.us/ethics/votersguide.asp

    edit: "The city outlawed recyclable items from the trash nine years ago, but SPU has collected less than $2,000 in fines since then, Croll says."

    http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024604656_citycompost1xml.html
  5. Joined
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    25 Sep '14 16:42
    so, how may garbage guys will climb down out of their truck, and inspect the load before dumping it?
  6. Account suspended
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    25 Sep '14 17:391 edit
    Originally posted by Hugh Glass
    so, how may garbage guys will climb down out of their truck, and inspect the load before dumping it?
    you don't need to inspect all loads , simply loads at random and that will provide an impetus for those that throw away too much food to curb it for they will never know when they may be called upon to be inspected. soon as the fines start being handed out they will start to comply.
  7. Joined
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    25 Sep '14 18:13
    Originally posted by Hugh Glass
    so, how may garbage guys will climb down out of their truck, and inspect the load before dumping it?
    Is the thrust of your OP the logistics of enforcement? Seattle has had a similar, successful ordinance concerning recyclables, for 9 years. This ordinance extends the concept to compostables.
  8. The Catbird's Seat
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    25 Sep '14 20:03
    Originally posted by JS357
    [b]Is there something wrong with democracy?
    It is absolutely the worst form of government, once factions find they can gain control and get others to pay for their wants.
  9. Joined
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    26 Sep '14 11:57
    Originally posted by normbenign
    It is absolutely the worst form of government, once factions find they can gain control and get others to pay for their wants.
    But all other forms of government have at their heart, a faction in control, no?
  10. The Catbird's Seat
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    26 Sep '14 13:07
    Originally posted by JS357
    But all other forms of government have at their heart, a faction in control, no?
    Small republics have the best reputation for protection of minority rights. No government system offers perfect protection as they all involve humans in charge.
  11. Standard memberbill718
    Enigma
    Seattle
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    26 Sep '14 14:282 edits
    Originally posted by Hugh Glass
    The City of Seattle just passed a new trash ordinance that would fine residents and businesses for throwing away too much food.
    The new rules would allow garbage collectors to inspect trash cans and ticket offending parties if food and compostable material makes up 10 percent or more of the trash.
    The fines will begin at $1 for residents and $50 for bus ...[text shortened]... recycling rate in 2013 was 56 percent.
    The Seattle city council vote on the new rules was 9-0.
    I live in Seattle, and can assure you most residents have little or no problem with this. These inspections would take less than 60 seconds each, and would be selected at random. Not exactly a massive government over reach. Sorry, but you'll have to look somewhere else for your next conspiracy.😲
  12. Subscribershavixmir
    Guppy poo
    Sewers of Holland
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    26 Sep '14 14:44
    Let's do nothing to stop wasteful rubbish.
  13. Joined
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    26 Sep '14 23:38
    Originally posted by bill718
    I live in Seattle, and can assure you most residents have little or no problem with this. These inspections would take less than 60 seconds each, and would be selected at random. Not exactly a massive government over reach. Sorry, but you'll have to look somewhere else for your next conspiracy.😲
    how does a driver, even climb down out of his truck, and re-board in 60 seconds,, I cry BS....
    I see these guys, they are rushed to complete routes...... and just how do you think they can inspect a loaded garbage can in 60 seconds..? And what happens when the citizen wants to debate the fine? Seattle is full of whining idiots, so I don't even believe the fact you stated as "they do not mind".. we have recycle bins for glass, cardboard, and lawn debris. There is no way anyone should agree to a wasted food fine...
  14. Joined
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    26 Sep '14 23:40
    Originally posted by shavixmir
    Let's do nothing to stop wasteful rubbish.
    No, we do recycle glass, cardboard and lawn debris,, but how in the heck do you monitor food waste..? who decides exactly what food waste is?
    a loaf of moldy bread? uneaten pizza? ya right.
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