25 Sep 14
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.
25 Sep 14
1 edit
Originally posted by Hugh GlassIt 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.
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.
25 Sep 14
Originally posted by normbenignMost of the people that run for those city council jobs seem to be people who enjoy spending other people's money.
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.
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25 Sep 14
1 edit
Originally posted by Hugh GlassIs there something wrong with democracy?
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.
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
25 Sep 14
1 edit
Originally posted by Hugh Glassyou 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.
so, how may garbage guys will climb down out of their truck, and inspect the load before dumping it?
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25 Sep 14
Originally posted by Hugh GlassIs 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.
so, how may garbage guys will climb down out of their truck, and inspect the load before dumping it?
Originally posted by Hugh GlassI 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.😲
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.
26 Sep 14
Originally posted by bill718how does a driver, even climb down out of his truck, and re-board in 60 seconds,, I cry BS....
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.😲
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...