[HISTORY: Adopted the Township Council of the Township of River Vale 5-12-1988 by Ord. No. 0-8-88 (Ch. 58A of the 1967 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Littering — See Ch. 152.
Solid waste collection — See Ch. 210, Art. I.
It is the purpose of this chapter to comply with the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act, P.L. 1987, c. 102 (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 et seq.) and the New Jersey Recycling Act of 1981, P.L. 1981, c. 278 (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-92 to 13:1E-99[1]).
[1]
Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-92 to 13:1E-95 and 13:1E-97 to 13:1E-99 were repealed by L. 2002, c. 128. See now N.J.S.A. 13:1E-213 et seq., the Clean Communities and Recycling Grant Act.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have meanings indicated:
ALUMINUM
Recyclable aluminum cans.
AUTOMOTIVE WASTE OIL
Used oil from motor vehicles, lawn mowers and motorcycles.
COMPOSTABLE BAG
A biodegradable, two-ply, wet-strength-treated, recyclable paper or corn silk bag which can be placed or added directly to a compost pile.
CORRUGATED CARDBOARD
Cardboard of the type to make cardboard boxes, cartons, pasteboard and similar corrugated and kraft paper material.
DESIGNATED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Those recyclable materials including glass, food waste, corrugated cardboard, newspapers/magazines, high-grade paper, aluminum, automotive waste oil and leaves.
GLASS
All products made from silica or sand, soda, ash and limestone which are transparent or translucent and used for packaging or bottling of various matter and all other materials commonly known as glass; excluding, however, blue and flat glass commonly known as "window glass," "plate glass" and "automotive glass."
HIGH-GRADE OFFICE PAPER
White typing and ledger paper, white notepad paper, copier paper, carbonless computer printout paper, manila tab cards and file folders.
HOUSEHOLD GENERATED BATTERIES
Any type of button, coin, cylindrical, rectangular or other shaped enclosed device or sealed container consisting of a combination of two or more voltaic or galvanic cells electrically connected to produce electric energy, composed of lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, cadmium, zinc, copper or other metals or any combination thereof and designed for household use, including any alkaline, manganese, lithium, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, zinc-air or zinc-carbon battery, nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery or sealed lead rechargeable battery.
[Added 2-23-1995 by Ord. No. 0-3-95]
LEAVES
Leaves only, and shall not include grass clippings and brush.
MAGAZINES
Magazines or similar periodicals, as well as all other paper periodicals of any nature whatsoever.
NEWSPAPER
Paper of the type commonly referred to as "newsprint" and distributed at stated intervals, usually daily or weekly, having printed thereon news and opinions and containing advertisements and other matters of public interest.
NONRECYCLABLE MATTER
All solid waste not listed in the definitions of aluminum, automotive waste oil, corrugated cardboard, designated recyclable materials, glass, high-grade office paper, leaves, magazines and newspaper.
PRIVATE SCAVENGER
A carter which files a tariff with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and holds a license from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
RECYCLING CENTER
The area designated by the Township as such where designated recyclable materials may be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles provided. The recycling center is located in an area at the rear of the Public Works Department.
SOLID WASTE
All materials, including recyclable and nonrecyclable matter, intended for disposal methods.
A. 
The positions of Recycling Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator are hereby created and established within the Township of River Vale.
B. 
The Recycling Coordinator and Deputy shall be appointed by the Mayor for a one-year term.
C. 
Subject to the approval of the Mayor and Township Council, the Recycling Coordinator shall establish and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations as to the manner, days and times for the collection, storage, transportation, sale and/or marketing of said recyclable materials in order to encourage the preservation of material resources while minimizing the cost of the recycling program to the Township of River Vale.
D. 
The Recycling Coordinator shall annually submit a recycling tonnage report to the New Jersey Office of Recycling and such other reports required by the Bergen County Utilities Authority, with copies to the Township Council and Mayor.
A. 
Designation of recyclable materials.
[Amended 8-26-1993 by Ord. No. 0-15-93R]
(1) 
Mandatory. The following are identified as mandatory materials, to be separated from all other solid waste produced by residences:
(a) 
Aluminum.
(b) 
Glass.
(c) 
Leaves.
(d) 
Grass.
(e) 
Tin cans.
(f) 
Ferrous scrap.
(g) 
White goods.
(h) 
Newspapers.
(i) 
Magazines.
(j) 
Household-generated batteries.
[Added 2-23-1995 by Ord. No. 0-3-95]
(k) 
Construction and demolition debris (concrete, brick, tree parts, nonferrous/ferrous metal, asphalt, corrugated cardboard, where practical).
[Added 4-27-2009 by Ord. No. 208-2009]
(l) 
Corrugated cardboard.
[Added 4-27-2009 by Ord. No. 208-2009]
(m) 
Mixed paper.
[Added 4-27-2009 by Ord. No. 208-2009]
(n) 
Type 1 and 2 plastic containers.
[Added 4-27-2009 by Ord. No. 208-2009]
(2) 
Voluntary. Automotive waste oil and plastics are voluntary recyclable materials.
B. 
Separation, collection and disposal methods of designated recyclable materials.
(1) 
Aluminum and glass (mandatory) shall be rinsed clean and may either be separated or commingled and placed in reusable containers for curbside collection. The reusable container shall be placed at curbside on designated days, with contents to be collected by a contractor selected by the Township. Aluminum may also be disposed of in receptacles provided at the municipal recycling center during posted hours of operation.
(2) 
Automotive waste oil (voluntary) may be separated and disposed of in receptacles provided at the Municipal Recycling Center.
(3) 
Glass (mandatory) shall be rinsed clean, with neck rings and caps removed from all bottles, and either separated or commingled with aluminum and placed in individual reusable containers for curbside collection. These reusable containers shall be placed at curbside on designated days, with contents to be collected by a contractor selected by the Township. Glass may also be disposed of in receptacles provided at the Municipal Recycling Center during posted hours of operation, but only if said glass is color separated into clear, amber and green.
(4) 
Leaves (mandatory) shall be placed at the curb between January 1 and December 31 for collection by the Township for composting; in the alternative, residents shall compost said leaves on their own property.
[Amended 5-24-1990 by Ord. No. 0-8-90]
(5) 
Newspapers/magazines (mandatory) shall be put at the curb in reusable containers or tied in separate bundles (not mixed together and not to exceed 15 inches in height). Such bundles shall not be contained in paper bags. These bundles shall be placed at curbside on designated days, to be collected by a contractor selected by the Township.
[Amended 8-26-1993 by Ord. No. 0-15-93R]
(6) 
Townhouse and apartment residents shall place mandatory recyclable items (aluminum, glass, newspapers, magazines) in the designated areas within their respective complex for collection purposes. Newspapers/magazines must be bundled as above. Townhouse and apartment residents may also dispose of recyclable items in receptacles provided at the Municipal Recycling Center during posted hours of operation.
C. 
Set-out time. For collection pursuant to a schedule announced by the Township of River Vale, all reusable containers must be placed at the curbline where easily accessible. No containers shall be set out prior to 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to collection, and all containers shall be removed by 8:00 p.m. on the collection day. When a regular collection day falls on a legal holiday, containers shall not be set out until the next regularly scheduled collection date. Paper, plastic bags and cardboard boxes shall not be utilized as containers for glass or aluminum.
D. 
Procedure upon refusal to collect. Any solid waste placed for collection by a residential user not in accordance with this section will be refused by the collector, and it shall be the responsibility of the residential user to remove said solid waste from the curbline by 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection and have it properly containerized, packaged or secured for purposes of collection on the next scheduled date or disposed of in accordance with § 186-7.
A. 
Designation of recyclable materials.
[Amended 8-26-1993 by Ord. No. 0-15-93R]
(1) 
Mandatory. The following are identified as mandatory recyclable materials, to be separated from all other solid waste produced by commercial establishments:
(a) 
Automotive waste oil.
(b) 
Corrugated cardboard.
(c) 
High-grade office paper.
(d) 
Glass.
(e) 
Ferrous scrap.
(f) 
White goods.
(g) 
Aluminum cans.
(h) 
Mixed paper.
(i) 
Construction and demolition debris (source-separated, nonputrescible recyclable material generated from the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance and/or demolition of structures within Bergen County. This material shall include concrete, bricks, block, ferrous and nonferrous scrap, asphalt, asphalt shingles, recyclable wood scrap and any and all other material generated from the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance and/or demolition of a structure or structures).
(j) 
Newspapers.
(k) 
Magazines.
(l) 
Grass.
(m) 
Leaves.
(n) 
Food waste.
(o) 
Type 1 and 2 plastic containers.
[Added 4-27-2009 by Ord. No. 208-2009]
B. 
Separation, collection and disposal methods of designated recyclable materials.
(1) 
Aluminum (mandatory) may be separated and disposed of by private scavenger or in receptacles provided at the Municipal Recycling Center, with prior authorization of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
(2) 
Automotive waste oil (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by either private scavenger or deposited in receptacles provided at the Municipal Recycling Center, with prior authorization of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
(3) 
Corrugated cardboard (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by private scavenger.
(4) 
Ferrous metal [white metal] (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by private scavenger.
(5) 
Food waste (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by private scavenger.
(6) 
Glass (mandatory) shall be disposed of by either private scavenger or disposed of in receptacles provided at the Municipal Recycling Center, only if color separated, with prior authorization of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
(7) 
High-grade office paper (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by private scavenger.
(8) 
Leaves (mandatory), between September 1 and December 31, shall be placed at the curb: loose during the period of time so designated by the Township and in bags at all other times.
(9) 
Newspapers/magazines (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of in receptacles provided at the Municipal Recycling Center, with prior authorization of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
(10) 
Other mandatory materials shall be separated and disposed of by private scavenger.
[Added 8-26-1993 by Ord. No. 0-15-93R]
C. 
Registration requirements. It shall be the responsibility of all occupants of business and/or commercial properties to register annually with the Municipal Recycling Coordinator on forms provided by the Township. The annual registration must be filed with the Recycling Coordinator on or before January 10 of each year. New businesses and/or commercial properties must file within 45 days of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or similar approval.
D. 
Reporting requirements. It shall be the responsibility of all occupants of business and/or commercial properties to report semiannually to the Recycling Coordinator on or before March 1 for the preceding six-month period of July 1 through December 31 and on or before September 1 for the preceding six-month period of January 1 through June 30, the quantities of materials recycled on forms prescribed and provided by the Recycling Coordinator.
E. 
Private scavenger contracts. If the commercial user is either unable or unwilling to secure a market and collector for designated mandatory recyclable materials, the Township of River Vale, through its Recycling Coordinator, may, at its option, secure such markets and enter into contracts or other arrangements on behalf of the commercial user for the collection and disposal of designated recyclable materials; provided, however, that the commercial user shall be responsible for any and all expenses associated with said contract.
[Amended 4-11-2005 by Ord. No. 106-2005]
It shall be mandatory for all private, public and governmental institutions and buildings to separate glass, aluminum and all paper produced by such institutions for private collection and the ultimate recycling of said materials under procedures set forth above.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit any occupant of residential property from disposing of recyclable materials privately, provided that in no event shall such recyclable materials be left at the curb for any private pickup, and further provided that in no event shall any such recyclable materials be disposed of as part of the nonrecyclable solid waste pickup by private scavenger.
From the time recyclable materials are placed at the curb by the occupant for collection, in accordance with the collection schedules established under this chapter, such recyclable materials shall become the property of the Township of River Vale. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person and/or scavenger not authorized to collect or pick up or cause to be collected or picked up any such recyclable materials for any purpose whatsoever once the same has been placed at the curb. Any such collection in violation hereof shall constitute a separate and distinct offense punishable as hereinafter provided.
A. 
The Recycling Coordinator, during the month of May, shall notify all persons occupying property within the Township of River Vale of the Township's recycling opportunities and the source separation requirements of this chapter. This notice shall be done by mailing all postal patrons within the Township and by posting a notice in public places where the public notices are customarily posted by the Township.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
The Recycling Coordinator shall semiannually notify all persons occupying residential, commercial and institutional premises within the Township of River Vale of local recycling opportunities and the source separation requirements of this chapter. Said notification shall be made by a mailing to all postal patrons within the Township and by posting a notice in public places where public notices are customarily posted by the Township. The River Vale Township Newsletter may be used for this notification.
This chapter shall be referred to the Planning Board of the Township of River Vale for a revision of the Master Plan in accordance with N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.16c, specifically with regard to the collection, disposition and recycling of designated recyclable materials within any development proposal for the construction of 50 or more units of single-family residential housing or 25 or more units of multifamily residential housing and any commercial or industrial development proposal for the utilization of 1,000 square feet of land. The Planning Board shall also make recommendations to the Township Council for amendments to Chapter 142, Land Use, in accordance with this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Part 10, Multifamily Development Recycling Facilities, of Ch. 142, Land Use.
The enforcement of the provisions of this chapter shall be the responsibility of the Recycling Coordinator and Deputy Recycling Coordinator and the Department of Police. The responsibility of monitoring the program for the adequacy of the collection and all other terms of the established rules and regulations is that of the Recycling Coordinator.
A. 
Any person, firm or corporation who violates or neglects to comply with any provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto shall be punishable, upon conviction thereof, by a fine and/or penalty as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article I, § 1-14.
B. 
Fines levied and recovered for noncompliance with any and all provisions of this chapter shall be transmitted monthly by the Court Administrator to the Township Treasurer and placed in the current fund and recorded as a dedication by rider, to be utilized for the purpose of the Township's recycling program, to include but not limited to education, awareness and improvement in services, in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:4-39.