(a) In order to help the city achieve its state-mandated recycling goal of 40%, in order to reduce the amount of material deposited in the city’s landfill and thereby extend the life of such landfill, and in order to reduce the amount of virgin materials being used in manufacturing, the city strongly encourages its citizens to participate in the city’s household recycling program.
(b) Recyclables shall be placed for city household collection service only in recycling carts provided by the city.
(c) Except as provided by subsection (d) below, the following materials may be placed in recycling carts for collection:
(1) Paper.
a. Advertising circulars;
b. Carbonless paper;
c. Cardboard: cereal boxes (liners removed), soft drink and beer cartons, dry goods packaging, corrugated cardboard, paper towel and toilet paper cores. Large boxes must be broken down or cut to fit in the cart with the lid securely closed;
d. Catalogues;
e. Envelopes: with or without windows;
f. Junk mail;
g. Magazines;
h. Newspapers: all sections;
i. Office paper: file folders, letterhead, sticky notes, printer paper, calendars, school papers;
j. Paperback books;
k. Paper bags; and
l. Phone books.
(2) Metals.
a. Aluminum drink cans (not flattened);
b. Aluminum baking tins (cleaned);
c. Steel or tin food cans and lids;
d. Empty aerosol cans (leave spray nozzle on; remove plastic lid unless part of can); and
e. Steel paint cans (empty and dry): remove lid, but recycle also.
(3) Glass and ceramics.
a. Bottles and jars: remove metal and plastic lids and recycle them;
b. Ceramics;
c. China;
d. Dishes;
e. Mirrors: must fit inside cart with lid closed; and
f. Windowpanes.
(4) Plastics.
a. Bottles, cups and jars with the #1 through #7 recycling symbols on them;
b. Food trays, tubs and bowls with the #1 through #7 recycling symbols on them; and
c. Plastic eating utensils.
(d) The following materials are prohibited materials and shall not be placed in a recycling cart for collection:
(1) Aluminum foil;
(2) Auto glass;
(3) Drink boxes and straws;
(4) Gift wrap;
(5) Greeting cards;
(6) Hardcover books;
(7) Light bulbs;
(8) Paper milk and juice cartons;
(9) Plastic containers that held hazardous materials such as motor oil, paint, pesticide or weed killer;
(10) Plastic grocery sacks;
(11) Pizza boxes;
(12) Polystyrene foam including cups, formed packing materials and “peanuts;”
(13) Toys;
(14) Waxed paper and waxed food containers;
(15) Garbage;
(16) Yard trimmings; and
(17) All other material not specifically allowed for by subsection (c) above.
(e) The director is authorized to add and delete materials to subsections (c) and (d) above as the market for recyclables changes.
(f) The director is authorized to amend preparation requirements for recyclables in accordance with market variables.
(g) A person commits an offense if the person removes or causes the removal of recyclables from a recycling container placed for collection.
(h) It is an exception to an enforcement action brought for a violation of subsection (g) above that the person was a member of the household that placed the recyclables for collection, or a sanitation worker employed by the collector who is engaged in city household collection service.
(i) A peace officer acting in his or her official capacity is exempt from subsection (g) above.
(j) A person commits an offense if a person:
(1) Places prohibited material in a recycling cart for collection in violation of this section; or
(2) Allows prohibited material placed in a recycling cart set out for collection in violation of this section to remain on property under his or her control.
(k) A person commits an offense if that person removes or causes the removal of recyclables from a recycling cart that does not belong to that person when that cart is placed for collection.
(Ord. 15463, § 7, passed 2-25-2003; Ord. 16189, § 10, passed 10-26-2004)