For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BAGS. Plastic sacks designed to store refuse with sufficient wall strength to maintain physical integrity when lifted by the top. Total weight of a bag and its contents shall not exceed 50 pounds. See also the definition of GARBAGE BAGS and KRAFT BAGS.
BULKY WASTE. Rubbish such as stoves, refrigerators, water heaters, washing machines, “white goods”, furniture and other waste materials other than construction debris, dead animals, hazardous waste, automobile parts or stable matter with weights or volumes greater than those allowed for containers.
BUNDLES. Yard waste such as trees, shrubs and brush trimmings securely tied together forming an easily handled package not exceeding 48 inches in length, 30 pounds in weight and with no individual piece more than four inches in diameter.
CHRISTMAS TREE PROGRAM. A once per year program offered to all city residents the first or second week of January in which the city will collect Christmas trees placed at the curb for collection.
COMMERCIAL CONTAINER. A large container of one and one-half cubic yards or more utilized by a commercial business for the deposit of commercially generated refuse.
CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS. Waste building materials resulting from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition operations.
CONTAINER. A container or containers meeting the requirements of this chapter in which recyclable materials, refuse, rubbish and garbage can be stored and later placed for curbside collection as approved by the city. This includes all one and one-half cubic yard dumpsters for residential use and recycling bins.
CONTRACTOR. The person, corporation or partnership performing recycling, refuse and yard waste collection and disposal under contract with the city.
CURBSIDE COLLECTION. The collection of all recyclable, refuse, rubbish, garbage, yard wastes and bulky items placed in accordance with the city ordinance regulating the placement of same and shall include alley collection.
DEAD ANIMALS. Animals or portions thereof equal to, or greater than, 20 pounds in weight that have expired from any cause, except those slaughtered or killed for human use or consumption.
DISPOSAL SITES. A refuse depository including, but not limited to, sanitary landfills, transfer stations, incinerators and waste processing/separation centers licensed, permitted or approved by all governmental bodies and agencies having jurisdiction and requiring such licenses, permits or approvals to receive refuse for processing or final disposal.
GARBAGE. All animal and vegetable matter resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, consumption, storage, decay or decomposition of food (meats, fish, fowl, fruits, grain) and/or any other animal or vegetable matter whatsoever subject to decay which may putrefy or generate noxious or offensive odors, be a food source for rodents, or may be a breeding or feeding place for insects or vermin and shall include all dead animals of less than 20 pounds in weight; but shall not include yard waste, construction debris, bulky waste, rubbish, stable matters and hazardous waste.
GARBAGE AND REFUSE COLLECTION. The taking up and collecting of all garbage and refuse accumulated in containers at residential dwelling units within the corporate limits of the city and the transportation to an approved disposal site by the city.
GARBAGE BAGS. Plastic bags used for city garbage collection, not to exceed 33 gallons in volume and 50 pounds in weight when filled.
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Waste, in any amount, which is defined, characterized or designated as hazardous by the United States environmental protection agency or appropriate state agency by, or pursuant to, federal or state law, or waste, in any amount, which is regulated under federal or state law. The term HAZARDOUS WASTE shall include motor oil and gasoline.
KRAFT BAGS. Special biodegradable 30 gallon kraft paper bags which will shred and degrade quickly in the composting process. The bags will be used for soft yard waste collection. The KRAFT BAGS will be sold at City Hall to the public. The purchase price of the bags includes collection, processing and disposal costs.
LITTER. Any discarded, used or unconsumed substance or waste. It may include, but is not limited to, any garbage, trash, refuse, debris, rubbish, yard or garden waste, newspaper, magazines, glass, metal, plastic or paper containers or other packaging construction material, abandoned vehicles, motor vehicle parts, furniture, oil, dead animals, any nauseous or offensive matter of any kind, any object likely to injure any person or create a traffic hazard, or anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature, which has been discarded, abandoned or otherwise disposed of improperly.
PREPAID STICKERS. A special sticker, stamped with the city logo, sold through retailers to the public wherein the purchase of the sticker includes collection, processing and disposal costs.
PRODUCER. Occupants of a residential dwelling unit who generate refuse and residential refuse.
RECEPTACLE. A container which shall be of such size and form as to permit collection by one man. Garbage cans shall not exceed 32 gallons in capacity and shall be fitted with handles and lids. This definition shall include recycling containers, and one and one-half cubic yard dumpsters placed in accordance with city ordinance.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS. Newsprint, glass, household metals, plastics and other materials as determined by the city and the contractor.
RECYCLING. The use (collection, remanufacture and the like) of secondary materials as feedstock for the production of new materials or products.
RECYCLING COLLECTION. The collection of all recyclable materials accumulated in recycling containers at residential dwelling units receiving refuse and garbage collection.
RECYCLING CONTAINER. A plastic container stamped with the city logo, purchased by the city and distributed by the city to residents receiving residential curbside service.
REFUSE. All wastes which normally result from the operation of a household including all garbage and rubbish.
RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNIT. A single-family or multi-family dwelling within the corporate limits of the city occupied by a person or persons. A RESIDENTIAL UNIT shall be deemed occupied when water services are being supplied thereto. Multi-family dwellings, whether of single or multi-level construction, shall be treated as a RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNIT except that each single-family dwelling within any such residential unit shall be billed separately as a residential unit. Mobile home or trailer parks shall be considered as RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS for purposes of this chapter only if each mobile home or trailer within said park has a separate water meter.
RESIDENTIAL REFUSE. All garbage and rubbish generated by a producer at a residential dwelling unit.
RUBBISH. All nonputrescible solid wastes consisting of both combustible and noncombustible wastes, including, but not limited to, paper, plastics, bottles, glass, cardboard, metal, cans, bricks, ashes, sod, dirt, rocks, cement, trees, wood, leather and any other like materials small enough for one person to handle. The term RUBBISH shall not include yard waste, construction debris, bulky waste, dead animals, garbage, stable matter and hazardous wastes.
STABLE MATTER. All manure and other waste matter normally accumulated in or about a stable, or any animal, livestock or poultry enclosure, and resulting from the keeping of animals, poultry or livestock.
TRASH. Includes garbage and rubbish.
UNACCEPTABLE RECYCLABLE MATERIALS. Materials not properly prepared, separated and/or located in accordance with this chapter as generally accepted recycling practices established by this code.
YARD WASTE. Compostible, organic material consisting of dead plants, weeds, Christmas trees, tree or hedge trimmings, grass clippings and leaves but excluding tree limbs over four inches in diameter, 48 inches in length and 50 pounds in weight. YARD WASTES are further defined as follows.
(1) BULK YARD WASTE. Soft yard waste and/or hard yard waste in such volume as to warrant the use of toters or dumpsters.
(2) HARD YARD WASTE. Brown-stemmed branches and shrub prunings with large diameter stems/trunks not to exceed 48 inches in length and four inches in diameter individually. Evergreen Christmas trees fall under this definition; however, their collection and disposal shall be defined under the CHRISTMAS TREE PROGRAM.
(3) SOFT YARD WASTE. Grass clippings, leaves, prunings of small diameter green-stemmed shrubs and plant stalks.
(1974 Code, § 6-2-1) (Ord. 9-90-6, passed 9-11-1990)