(a) Preparation of Refuse. All rubbish and garbage, before being placed into receptacles for collection, shall have been drained free of all liquid. Garbage shall be wrapped in paper or otherwise contained. All recyclable materials shall be separated from garbage into one reusable container. All yard waste shall be separated from garbage, rubbish and recyclables and shall be placed for collection in the manner hereinafter provided.
(b) Refuse Containers.
(1) All containers for the storage of garbage, rubbish and recyclables shall be verminproof, waterproof, made of noncorrodible metal or similar material equipped with handles and tightly fitting lids at all times.
Also, specially constructed or plastic bags may be used provided they are securely tied and placed in an orderly manner, and appropriately marked in the case of recyclables.
(2) All containers must be maintained in a sanitary condition and the collector is under no obligation to empty unsanitary containers.
(3) Refuse not confined within suitable containers will not be collected. No container, including contents, shall weigh over fifty pounds.
(4) Defective containers must be replaced within two weeks of notice by the collector. If such container is not replaced, then the collector may refuse service until such time as the container is replaced.
(c) Storage and Accumulation of Refuse.
(1) No person shall place any refuse in any street, alley or public place, or upon any private property whether owned by such person or not, within the City, except for compost or in proper receptacles for collection and at proper points of collection as hereinafter set forth in this chapter. No person shall throw or deposit any refuse in any stream or other body of water or in any place in violation of this chapter or any other law of the Commonwealth.
(2) Any unauthorized accumulation of refuse on any premises is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is prohibited. Failure to remove any existing accumulation of refuse after twenty-four hours notice by the City shall be deemed a violation of this chapter.
(3) No person, other than the occupants of the premises on which refuse receptacles are stored, or the collector, shall remove the covers or any of the contents of refuse receptacles, or remove, displace or tamper with any item set out for collection.
(4) No person shall place any refuse items for pick-up in, on or adjacent to the right of way of any public street, upon any public sidewalk or upon property abutting any public sidewalk or public street prior to 12:00 noon on the day immediately preceding the scheduled pick-up. No person shall be charged before a magistrate with a violation of this paragraph unless such person has written notice, on at least one occasion, of the City's intent to prosecute for such violation.
(d) Special Refuse Problems.
(1) Contagious disease refuse. The removal of wearing apparel, bedding or other refuse from homes or other places where highly infectious or contagious diseases have prevailed shall be performed only under the supervision and direction of the Health Officer. Such refuse shall not be placed in containers for regular collection.
(2) Inflammable or explosive refuse. Highly inflammable or explosive materials shall not be placed in containers for regular collection but shall be disposed of as directed by the Director of Public Works at the expense of the owner or possessor thereof.
(3) Prohibited refuse. No person shall place, for collection, batteries, paint or oil. Said items shall be disposed of only upon special direction from the Department of Public Works and shall not be part of the regular and ordinary refuse pick-up within the City. In addition, no person shall place for collection more than one tire per month for refuse collection.
(4) Points of collection. Refuse receptacles shall be placed for collection at ground level on the property near by but not within the cartway of a street or alley, and readily accessible to the side of the street or alley from which collection is made.
(Ord. 9-90. Passed 9-26-90. )