City Takes Legal Action Against Man Who Reduces Garbage

[Kor37 9]

Sued for going green: City takes legal action against man who reduces garbageby Jonathon Morgan

Jan 30th 2008 @ 3:13PM

 

Filed under: Home, News

 

Let's pretend you really tried to reduce the amount of waste you generate on a day-to-day basis. You start composting, recycling like crazy -- whatever. It gets to the point where you have so little waste that you're left with almost no garbage from one week to the next. So you conclude, what's the point of paying for garbage pick up?

 

That's what Eddie House was thinking when he canceled his garbage service -- the 53-year-old bachelor simply didn't have any garbage for the city to remove. However, instead of applauding Eddie for his diligent eco-efforts, the city turned around and slapped the poor guy with a lawsuit.

Gallery: Want to reduce your impact? Here's 5 simple (and surprising!) ways you can recycle

 

City officials are not only seeking a permanent injunction that would, in essence, force Eddie to continue his regular trash pick up, but they're also suing for the cost of the lawsuit. So if he loses, the suburban eco-warrior will be rewarded for his low-impact lifestyle by paying out of pocket.

 

Note to self: never move to San Carlos, California. Rumor has it there's a bunch of crazy people running the local government. After all, they're suing Eddie, the man with no trash!

 

 

How insane is this?..... :jem'hadar:

[RikerChick 5]

That's just messed up

[Wishfire 2]

What, exactly, is the basis for their lawsuit?

[TJ Phaserman 2]

there is none

[Theunicornhunter 2]

there is none

 

for a lawsuit to be filed there has to be a cause of action

 

I found the following:

The lawsuit claims House broke the city’s municipal code requiring all residential, commercial and industrial properties to contract with Allied Waste for pickup at least once a week — a standard requirement in most cities, San Carlos Deputy City Manager Brian Moura said

 

He is also being accused by neighbors of burning his trash

Still, neighbours accuse him of burning his trash, which, if true, would diminish his trash-activism superhero status a little (alternative methods, like composting and/or vermiculture, where possible, would be far better). Eddie denies this charge though, stating he was only burning firewood.

 

House acknowledges that the fire department was called to his house several times, but says that each time he was simply burning firewood. — Examiner

 

Which surprises me because in some cities you can't burn a fire without a permit.

[TJ Phaserman 2]

i think thats if it was in residential areas and certain national parks

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

I believe it. I lived in San Carlos until I was 14 and still have relatives there. The city can be a little... odd.