A Brooklyn building owner was recently fined $25 for putting recyclables in a black trash bag designated for non-recyclables. Problem is: there were no recyclables in that trash bag.
Tony Scott told Fox 5 News that his surveillance camera caught the Department of Sanitation worker walking on the sidewalk and simply kicking trash bags before writing up tickets. His ticket read: "did observe metal cans, unsoiled paper, and cereal boxes out for collection in 1 black plastic bag non-designated for any recyclables." But he the worker never even opened the bag, which could mean the agency is walking around giving out undeserved tickets. Scott says, "They can just write down anything. It may not be for $25, it can be for much more. It's like taking food out of my family's mouth, for a ticket that's unwarranted."
Scott says he enforces a strict recycling policy with his tenants, and has even made them sign an agreement pledging to separate their trash properly. He has fought the ticket, and was told by a judge that he'd get the decision in the mail within the next 30 days.
