Group raises stink over city garbage ordinance

SEATTLE -- A group from Seattle that says one man's trash isn't another man's business filed a lawsuit Thursday, claiming the rights of many people are being violated by a city ordinance.

The ordinance prohibits people from throwing food waste and compost into garbage cans. Crews will visually inspect garbage to make sure residents are following this new rule or they will be fined.

Attorney Ethan Blevins filed the suit.

Blevins said, "The city has authorized inspectors and trash collectors to engage in widespread and weekly surveillance of businesses and residence garbage cans."

Keli Carender is one of the many plaintiffs named in the lawsuit. Carender said she received two warnings from the city about placing compost in her garbage. She says that's impossible because she diligently separates the two

Carender said, "The whole thing is completely lame and everyone else says it’s not necessary. We were voluntarily composting everything."

An attorney for the City of Seattle just received the suit and would not comment on the litigation yet.