How to stop neighbor from burning garbage?

[wseakell]

I live in the unincorporated area of West Seattle/White Center and I need help and or advice on how to deal with a not-so-wonderful neighbor. This neighbor burns garbage in his fireplace daily. It really affects the air quality of the block. I’d like to take a walk or work in my yard, but oftentimes am stopped by the awful air pollution. How do I know its garbage you may ask? The smell, for one (distinct notes of plastic and waste), and the fact that he does not have garbage service (which, IMHO, should be illegal).

I’ve called the North Highline Fire Department multiple times and they have taken some pictures and may have spoken to the home owner, but the garbage burning continues. They did tell me once that there was nothing that they could do since the burning was going on in their home, and they could burn whatever they wanted in their own fireplace. (!?)

Is there anywhere else I can turn? I’ve really had it! One day my husband and I would like to have kids and I want them to be able to play outside breathing fresh air and not burning garbage!

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[MargL]

The Fire Department is wrong. It’s illegal to burn garbage anywhere, even in unincorporated King Co.

http://www.pscleanair.org/actions/woodstoves/law.aspx

If the Fire Dept. won’t do anything might be worth registering a complaint here, if you haven’t already. http://www.pscleanair.org/actions/woodstoves/complaint.aspx

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[wseakell]

That is awesome MargL, thank you. I had no idea. Maybe I should print the clean air law out and stick it in his mail box in the middle of the night, signed “your neighbors”. I will definitely file a complaint with the PS Clean Air Agency. This is great information – thanks again!!

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[wakeflood]

Clearly, your neighbor doesn’t give a damn about anyone but himself. And I really hope he changes his habits!

But should you feel inclined, it might be worth asking if he is willing to at least NOT burn the nastiest stuff, like plastics, or food waste or whatever he’s doing?

Maybe offer to do a dump run once a month or two for him if he just bags it up and stores it in his garage or backyard?

I realize that it’s enabling his behavior on some level but if I’ve learned anything over the years as a homeowner, it’s that people don’t change much. Maybe this guy’s so broke he can’t afford heating oil or electric heating?? Maybe spending $30 every month or two is worth breathing a little easier if this guy won’t do the right thing?

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[wseakell]

wakeflood, that is very kind and thoughtful of you! But you are unfortunately right, he doesn’t care about his neighbors at all and I’m fairly sure would be unresponsive (or angry) about this type of request.

I’ve spoken to a couple of neighbors today after I learned about the reporting ability, and asked their advice on whether I should call him first or not. We (my husband and I) are relatively new to the block, and my neighbors have been here for years with garbage-burner. Their input is to not contact him – he’s a little whacky and has no regard for other people. I’m a little bummed I can’t report him anonymously through the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency since I would hate for him to retaliate.

However, it has gone on long enough and I would take a bit of retaliation for it to get fixed. I learned today that the fumes are literally making the neighbor directly on the side of him sick, and it’s detrimentally affecting a very elderly man who’s on the block as well.

Hopefully the complaint gets dealt with in a timely matter so that we can have clean air on our block and my neighbors can get healthy!

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[UrbanFabulous]

The biggest sized garbage can is only a few bucks more than the smaller one. Maybe upgrade to the larger one and invite him to use yours for free instead of burning the trash?

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[wseakell]

Thanks UrbanFab! His garbage situation seems more than what upgrading my can could handle. The house is on the verge of hoarding. :(

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[metrognome]

believe it or not, one of the smelliest things you can burn is a milk carton (and any other paper container that looks ‘waxed’ such as frozen food and Chinese take-out boxes.) They used to be waxed paper and burned well (if he is an old-timer, he might remember that); now, they are plastic-coated and smell gawd-awful when burned. He may not be able to smell it in his house as the smoke goes up the chimney. I bet if he’s doing that and you can get him to stop, the worst of the smell will go away.

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[wseakell]

Thanks metrognome! Maybe I should make an anonymous call to him and explain my concerns. He’s in his late 40s and there was a wife/girlfriend and kid there for a long time but I haven’t seen them there for a while. They may just come and go when I’m at work or not home … or perhaps they’ve moved out. I could call, get a feeling if he’s going to stop, and report him if not. Nevertheless, I thank you for all of your help and advice everyone. Happy New Year! :)

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[yikes]

I had the same problem a couple of years ago… I complained to the ps clean air folks and also provided the neighbor with materials. The ps people sent them the complaint and materials, but then closed the case because they apparently couldn’t prove that they were burning trash in their woodstove.

Subsequently, I and my neighbors realized that these people didn’t even have garbage pick up… which is against city ordinance. So we reported them and they were forced to get a garbage can… but got the tiniest one and continue to burn garbage. It was a very frustrating experience… these people live in a really nice house, but just don’t care about polluting the neighborhood.

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[Breezy]

It’s against city ordinance to not have garbage pick-up?

Hmmm, I’ve known folks who took their own garbage/recyclables/yard waste to the waste centers rather than pay for service – not here, mind you, but in other places I’ve lived. Interesting..

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[tombaux]

wseakell- just curious, were you able to resolve this with your neighbor? my wife & i live on the top of a hill in WC (right in the inversion layer from the garbage burners below us). it’s been 8 years of burning trash and woodsmoke, and we were both sick with some CVD symptoms this winter.

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[muchlove]

I too am curious how things worked out with the neighbor.

About 10 years ago we reported a neighbor no garbage service and burning the garbage inside their home. Clean Air Agency gave them some brochures and we still breathe the nasty stuff to this day! Lived 17 years so far with this crap & I’m beyond done!

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