Trash searches raise privacy concerns

I think it was bunch of stray cats that was causing all the litters then blamed on Ben Cayetano and Frank Fasi for the trash digging.

Don't blame us for making a mess. We only make small cuts in the plastic bags and only take what we eat.

Was dem other ones!

It is the law of unintended consequences. That is what happens when you pass a law that creates a 5 cent recyclable, but does not allow you to redeem them where you bought them. We created an underground economy, and attract homeless people to parks and high density areas, where the free money is.

"It's a good problem to have," said Jeff Mikulina, executive director of the Sierra Club, a strong proponent of the bottle redemption law. Before the law was passed, Mikulina said, "we didn't have this problem, where people are fighting over trash to recycle."
Great job Jeff, now they are fighting over trash, and the bums are concentrated in the parks and downtown, where the easy pickings are to be found.

somewhere mufi is sitting down thinking to himself if only there was a way to redeem sewage, all his problem would be solved.

Government dont want people digging through trash because they dont want to pay the 5 cents back to anyone.

"It's a good problem to have," said Jeff Mikulina, executive director of the Sierra Club, a strong proponent of the bottle redemption law. Before the law was passed, Mikulina said, "we didn't have this problem, where people are fighting over trash to recycle."

Yeah - great problem Jeff. Apparently, since you are a self proclaimed 'expert' for all things environmental who spouts all kind of nonsensical drival about how man is destroying the globe, this is yet another fine example of foot-in-mouth disease which you and your ilk try to foist upon the common man. Glad that we are not so smart like you! BTW - the bottle bill is a consumer ripoff. How many millions now sit waiting for some do-gooder politico to rape that fund for some pet project??!?!?

Alternately, those with cans in their trash could just put them in a small bag and leave them out for the "pickers".

Why doesn't someone just come up with an alternative to plastic containers, or use glass like in the old days where milk bottles were delivered and picked up. You know, like how Menehune water picks up their huge jugs?

Come on people in government and business, get creative!

If people would put things that are redemable in a bag next to thier trash bins that should stop the dig. This would or should work for private homes. Not the best idea just one idea. With more ideas you should have an answer.

that this occurs is evidence of societal and government failure to provide for the most needy. But it's what we've come to expect from this government.

khi wrote:

that this occurs is evidence of societal and government failure to provide for the most needy. But it's what we've come to expect from this government.

What are you talking about? Please explain. Many of the people I see collecting bottles are not in the "needy" category.

This is a huge problem out on the North Shore. They rifle through the trash at 3:00 am and set my dogs off. Our dogs are a big reason we get ripped off less --I don't want my dogs to get used to the sctivity of strangers in my yard or property. I confronted a dumpster diver not long ago and he felt fully empowered to dig through my garbage - we recycle so there is not much there. After I asked him to stop he rudely informed me he had every right to go through my rubbish "It's public property lady" As soon as I mentioned calling the police to discuss this he took off on his bike.

Huh wrote:

<quoted text>
What are you talking about? Please explain. Many of the people I see collecting bottles are not in the "needy" category.

they are needy --- they need some sauce

Nothing would be accomplished if someone would take the extra step to place recyclables next to his trash can to make it easier for a bum to collect. The next five or six bums would still dig through that trash can looking for recyclables not knowing that the first bum had made a stike.

It would be better if shoppers were allowed to turn in recycled cans,bottles,plastic material at the stores where they were purchased and paid the recycle fee. As it stands, the average shopper would spend more on gas,and time going to one of the designated recycle centers than they would get for their recycled material, thus it's in the curbside trash bin...and contributing to the influx of scavengers entering neighborhoods.

Do you think police officers will issue citations if they witness this? Hell no, they've got better things to do. They only respond when a complaint is received about a specific instance.

For instance if they witness a petty misdemeanor, they just pass by and look the other way. If it is a violent crime, maybe they'll do something. On a daily basis, I see people jay walking and drivers that don't allow people in crosswalks to cross. How can this be? When the LAW was first created , the cops made it a big thing and now ..... its just another law that sometimes is enforced. It will be the same with the trash digging law should it ever pass. Think about it...

I've asked Robbie Dingman countless times to cover this topic!
Nothing!
Thank you Mary.

alot of people here don't bother getting their refund, but they leave bottles and cans in large bins down in kaunakakai so that those who have the time and need the money can pick them up and turn them in. everybody needs to go to town anyway for gas, bank, food, postoffice etc.

By the way, the cops can enfore the trash digging even if it was the Law. When I get into my vehicle, I notice all kind of violations on the road. Speedsters, illegal reconstructed vehicles, all kind of violations. Its funny ,,, but the cops don't seem to see it and I always hear that they are understaffed. Yet, you can see them parked here and there.

Jeff Mikulina- An even better problem is to have someone steal your identity.

Yeah, Jeff. What a GREAT idea!