Legal Commentary

Cleveland?s Trash Police

By Jonathan H. Adler

Cleveland is preparing to launch a new ?high-tech? trash collection system in the city and begin policing whether city residents recycle.  According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

The move is part of a high-tech collection system the city will roll out next year with new trash and recycling carts embedded with radio frequency identification chips and bar codes.The chips will allow city workers to monitor how often residents roll carts to the curb for collection. If a chip show a recyclable cart hasn?t been brought to the curb in weeks, a trash supervisor will sort through the trash for recyclables.

Trash carts containing more than 10 percent recyclable material could lead to a $100 fine, according to Waste Collection Commissioner Ronnie Owens. Recyclables include glass, metal cans, plastic bottles, paper and cardboard.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on August 20, 2010 (boomark / email).