I live close to a grocery store and every few days a stench is coming from the fish they dispose of into their dumpster. Is there such a thing as smell pollution? I want to complain and try to get them to dispose of it differently so that the smell isn't so bad but not sure if I even have a right to do so.

It sucks right now, but I am also thinking from a prospective buyer's point of view. If the smell had been particularly bad the day I came to look at the house, it may have been taken into consideration for my buying decision.

2/29/2012 7:52:07 AM

Just tell those dumpster diving people. They'll clean it out for you.

2/29/2012 7:54:08 AM

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=laws+on+smells

2/29/2012 7:55:16 AM

I tried googling "proper fish disposal" and "grocery store meat disposal" and "smell pollution laws"

No dice. This is why I turn to TWW, for lmgtfy

2/29/2012 7:58:41 AM

call the local planning office and see what they have to say about it.

if its that bad it should fall under some type of nuisance ordinance.

2/29/2012 8:01:14 AM

Nice, I actually just saw some article from Wilmington that said something similar.

It definitely is a nuisance.

2/29/2012 8:03:25 AM

Yes, if the smell is too bad, it's a nuisance. But the question was whether you were there first, or the grocery store.

2/29/2012 8:03:27 AM

I was not the builder, but the grocery was definitely here first. Why does that matter though?

If I move in to a place next to some party people, I can still call the authorities on their loud party music even if they lived there first.

2/29/2012 8:05:55 AM

there is the possibility that theyre disposing of these things incorrectly, creating a health hazard, etc.

also they could have inadequate dumpsters or some other equipment deficiency.

they might be fine on all above points but still pissing off town inspectors, in which case they will receive small fines until its taken care of.

if the fines arent enough to make them change their ways they will just keep paying them and youll have to deal with it (burn it down).

in all seriousness though your approach at that point would probably be to organize some little protesting community movement to generate a lot of negative press for them and see if the store manager folds.

[Edited on February 29, 2012 at 8:13 AM. Reason : -]

2/29/2012 8:12:19 AM

i'd like to report this intersection:



every morning, someone nearby is burning coffee, condoms, and tires- all at the same time. please fix this, tww

[Edited on February 29, 2012 at 8:22 AM. Reason : embiggen Ø]

2/29/2012 8:22:28 AM

just fart a lot in their general direction

a good ol' fashioned stink war

2/29/2012 8:23:03 AM

I can't find it anywhere but I wonder if there is some measurable level of smell that causes it to be a nuisance

2/29/2012 8:30:59 AM

I was told the city shut down a compost facility at the corner of Chapel Hill Rd and Nowell Rd. for the overwhelming stench that went into the neighborhood across the street.

Have you tried the planning and development office as someone else has suggested?

2/29/2012 8:37:25 AM

so you moved next door to a stinky workplace and you expect them to change?

2/29/2012 8:55:57 AM

troll alert

2/29/2012 9:01:14 AM

I don't really buy the "I was infringing on the rights of your property before you bought it so piss off" argument in very many cases. Airports, yes. Rotting meat, no. I'd recommend the OP pursue the issue until he gets resolution or finds out he has no rights in the matter.

2/29/2012 9:04:08 AM

you need to stop being a little bitch, honestly.

you should have checked this out before you moved there.

2/29/2012 9:09:47 AM

I moved next to a swamp and it stinks. I think the government should fill it in because it's not right for something existing beside me to stink even though nothing illegal is going on.

2/29/2012 9:14:02 AM

Do grocery stores have to follow similar health regulations as restaurants? I know restaurants can get in trouble if their dumpster sits with putrid meat in it for long periods of time. Maybe try calling the Health Department?

2/29/2012 9:14:20 AM

VOC pollution, volatile organic contaminant, even bakeries have to abide by the standards. I am not sure what the standard here in NC is tho.

2/29/2012 9:33:51 AM

obligatory "your mom's vagina"

2/29/2012 9:39:29 AM

ive never noticed a smell at TW alexander and 54 and i drive by there every morning

maybe its your car

2/29/2012 9:41:38 AM

If you're having trouble finding things, I think it's because you're searching for smell pollution. Try smell with the right of quiet enjoyment (which is what you're alleging is infringed upon). If the smell interferes with your right of quiet enjoyment of your land, you would have an argument for nuisance. However, it has to be bad enough that EVERYONE around you is affected. They don't take into account any particular sensitivities of your nose. And yes, they will take into account that you willingly moved there, with the grocery store there first. However, if they're breaking some sort of regulation or ordinance, that would tip the scales in your favor.

It's very difficult to win on a public or private nuisance.

[Edited on February 29, 2012 at 9:44 AM. Reason : ]

2/29/2012 9:42:44 AM

how close is the grocery store exactly?

2/29/2012 10:13:40 AM

1st world problems itt

2/29/2012 10:40:50 AM

2/29/2012 11:16:49 AM

Quote :

"I moved next to a swamp and it stinks. I think the government should fill it in because it's not right for something existing beside me to stink even though nothing illegal is going on."

Not even close.

2/29/2012 12:13:02 PM

Drive down 17 South in SC into Georgetown. You will know Smell Pollution (paper mills, yuck).

2/29/2012 2:41:21 PM

my wife believes in the idea of smell pollution.

especially after I consume mexican or indian food.

2/29/2012 2:43:49 PM

Quote :

"Do grocery stores have to follow similar health regulations as restaurants? I know restaurants can get in trouble if their dumpster sits with putrid meat in it for long periods of time. Maybe try calling the Health Department?"

This is more along the lines of what I was looking for. Does anyone happen to know more about this type of rule?

2/29/2012 4:42:58 PM