All yard waste shall be separated by the owner or occupant from all other solid waste accumulated on the premises. For residential premises, the owner or occupant may either compost such yard waste on the premises or place it in paper bags, bundles or containers in accordance with the requirements of the Metro waste authority Compost It! program or the Clive/Metro waste authority premium yard waste program.
A. Collection: For residential premises, persons choosing not to manage yard waste on their own property may place yard waste in brown paper bags which are imprinted with the Compost It! sticker (as a part of the Compost It! program) or affix a Compost It! sticker to a brown paper bag. Brush bundles may also be placed for yard waste pick up provided that a Compost It! sticker is attached to the brush bundle and the brush bundle complies with the length, diameter and weight restriction contained in the definition of brush bundle. Compost It! bags and stickers may be purchased at participating grocery, hardware and convenience stores. The number of bags and brush bundles which residents may place out for collection is unlimited, provided that a Compost It! sticker is attached to each bag or bundle. In the alternative, the owner of a residential premises may chose to participate in the premium yard waste collection program in which a resident purchases a sticker for the season from the city in order to be permitted to use a plastic wheeled container to collect yard waste for pick up by the authorized collector of yard waste.
B. Composting: Back yard composting of yard waste is encouraged. Owners and occupants are encouraged to accumulate upon property under their respective control such quantities of leaves and/or yard debris as can be properly composted in a composting area (having at least 3 sides) or composting bin without creating offensive odors, litter, fire or vector problems. Composting areas or bins must be located in a back yard, outside the boundaries of any easement areas, and no closer than five feet (5') to the rear property line and no closer than two feet (2') to any side property lines. Such composting so carried out shall be deemed to be an alternative disposition of the disposal of yard waste in satisfaction of any requirement in this section.
C. Violations: It is prohibited and will be deemed a violation hereof for any owner, lessee or occupant of any residential, commercial or institutional property in the city to put into or cause to be put into the solid waste collection system of the city any yard waste. (Ord. 932, 8-19-2010)