SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
Don O’Neill: Garbage collectors are refusing to pick up garbage
Jul 21, 2015, 4:40 PM | Updated: Jul 22, 2015, 5:48 am
KIRO Radio's Don O'Neill believes garbage collectors in his neighborhood are digging through his trash, which is why it's not being picked up. (File photo)
(File photo)
There’s a war going on. A trash war.
Don O’Neill’s garbage has been continually left behind by his waste management company. The KIRO Radio host said it’s an ongoing problem.
Don was told the reason his garbage isn’t picked up is because there are too many items that shouldn’t be in there.
“If there’s too much garbage in the garbage, they can’t pick it up,” Don quipped.
How far garbage collectors can go to see what is in someone’s trash is in the spotlight, after a group of Seattle residents sued the City of Seattle over its composting law. Though fines for not properly recycling and composting were delayed, the city plans to start fining people Jan. 1, 2016 for not complying with the ordinance.
The city says it is not digging through people’s trash to see what’s in it. Instead, garbage collectors are judging how many compostable items are being thrown away by looking at the bags — the problem with that, though, is the bags need to be somewhat see through.
But Don believes collectors in his neighborhood are digging through his trash, which is why it’s not being picked up. It’s why he refuses to allow the garbage collectors to use the portable toilet on his property.
“I’m down with [people delivering packages] using the Honey Bucket,” Don said. “At least they don’t decide whether or not to deliver something. I don’t like that guys can pass on my garbage.”
It seems to be just a Seattle issue. KIRO Radio’s Ron Upshaw, who lives in Woodinville, puts anything he wants in the garbage.
“I’m why waste management stocks are going up,” Ron said.
