Dive Brief:

• Seattle, WA, announced it is suspending its program to fine residents and businesses that don’t dispose of food scraps and organics properly. Fines will not go into effect until at least 2016.
• The fines were slated to go into effect on July 1. Prior to the fees being eliminated, those who weren’t in accordance were facing a $1 fine.
• The reason behind the dropped fines was due to a 71% awareness rate of the composting law.

Dive Insight:

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said, “Because of the amazing success of this program where we have reached half our goal in just four months, I am suspending… all fines.”

Seattle is seeking to attain its goal of a 60% recycling rate. In 2013, the citywide rate was around 56%.