City Allows Scavengers and Detectives Dominion Over Trash

At last night’s Columbia City Council meeting, speakers ranging from private investigators to self-proclaimed “Dumpster divers” protested a proposed ordinance making it illegal to take trash or recyclables from the curb. Ironically, none of them had a problem with outlawing the taking of what the ordinance was drafted to protect in the first place: the city’s blue recycling bags. Sixth Ward Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe pursued the ordinance after receiving several complaints that people intent on gathering valuable scrap aluminum were collecting the blue bags placed at the curb for municipal pickup…

Read More: http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2008/sep/20080916news005.asp