[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield: Art. I, 3-26-1990 as Ord. No. 1399; Art. II, 2-10-1992 as Ord. No. 1460. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Sanitation Department — See Ch. 96.
Dumping — See Ch. 172.
Littering — See Ch. 259.
[Adopted 3-26-1990 as Ord. No. 1399[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 43, Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse, adopted 4-15-1975 as Ord. No. 999, as amended.
It is found by the Mayor and Council that conservation of recycling materials has become an important public concern in improving our environment and the growing problem of solid waste disposal has shown the increasing necessity to conserve our natural resources. It is further a finding that the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Bergen has advised that, because of the lack of space at the Bergen County sanitary landfill areas under its jurisdiction and control, after April 1, 1975, the acceptance of newspaper at any Bergen County sanitary landfill area as part of refuse delivered for disposal will be prohibited. It is further a finding that the separation of newspaper and magazines from refuse is in the best interest of the Borough of Ridgefield and promotes the general welfare. It is a further finding that the laws of the State of New Jersey now impose certain requirements on local government entities to recycle certain materials.
It is the purpose of this Article to comply with the New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act, P.L. 1987, c. 102, and the New Jersey Recycling Act of 1981, P.L. 981, c. 278.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 13:1E-92 et seq.
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALUMINUM
All aluminum cans.
AUTOMOTIVE WASTE OIL
Used oil from autos, lawn mowers and motorcycles.
COMMINGLED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Those designated recyclable materials which may be disposed of together in a common reusable receptacle. These shall include aluminum cans, glass containers, bimetal (tin) cans, PET beverage containers and plastic bottles. Glass containers shall not be broken. The Recycling Coordinator may require, from time to time, that all labels must be removed from all "commingled recyclable materials."
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.
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS (C/D) (COMMERCIAL)
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 within Bergen County that a municipality may deem recyclable.
[Added 3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507]
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 ferrous metals (white goods), (color-separated) glass, food waste, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, high-grade paper, aluminum, automotive waste oil, leaves and PET beverage containers.
FERROUS METALS (WHITE METALS)
All products made of metal, exclusive of aluminum, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, hot-water heaters, tire rims, springs, bicycles, bimetal cans (tin cans) or scrap metal.
FOOD WASTE
Any edible waste material resulting from handling, preparation, processing, cooking or consumption of food.
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 materials commonly known as "glass"; excluding, however, blue and flat glass commonly known as "window glass" or "plate glass."
GRASS
Grass only (no brush) must be placed in biodegradable containers (no plastic bags) and marked "GRASS."
[Added  3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507]
GRASS CLIPPINGS
Any cuttings or clippings from the family of plants commonly known as "grass," bearing the proper name Gramineae.
[Added  6-11-1990 by Ord. No. 1408]
HIGH-GRADE OFFICE PAPER
White typing and ledger paper, white notepad paper, copier paper, carbonless computer printout paper, manila tab cards and file folders.
LEAVES
Leaves only, and not including grass clippings and brush.
MIXED PAPER (COMMERCIAL)
Source-separated mixture of all types of paper, including but not limited to corrugated, high-grade paper, newspapers, magazines, telephone directories, wrapping paper, box board, books, grocery bags and junk mail.
[Added  3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507]
NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINES
Paper of the type commonly referred to as "newsprint" and magazines, periodicals and advertisements.
PET BEVERAGE CONTAINERS
Hermetically sealed or airtight containers with a metal or plastic cap, containers with a minimum wall thickness of not less than ten thousandths (0.010) inch and composed of thermoplastic synthetic polymergic materials; commonly known as "one-, two and three-liter soda beverage bottles."
PLASTIC BOTTLES
All plastic bottles such as those used to hold milk, detergent and bleach, etc., as specified by the recycling market.
PRIVATE SCAVENGER
A carter which holds a tariff from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities or a license from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
RECYCLING CENTER
The area designated by the Borough as such where designated recyclable materials may be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles provided.
REUSABLE RECEPTACLE
Those receptacles used to place commingled recyclable materials at curbside for disposal. These receptacles shall be a reusable type (aluminum, plastic or metal) with a capacity no larger than forty (40) gallons.
WHITE GOODS (MUNICIPAL/COMMERCIAL)
Used appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and stoves.
[Added  3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507]
A. 
The position of Recycling Coordinator is hereby created and established within the Borough of Ridgefield.
B. 
The Recycling Coordinator shall be appointed by the governing body for a term of one (1) year expiring December 31 of each year.
C. 
The Recycling Coordinator, subject to the approval of the governing body, 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 Borough of Ridgefield. The Recycling Coordinator may, in his reasonable discretion, from time to time, relax the requirements of this Article.
D. 
The Recycling Coordinator shall annually submit a recycling tonnage report to the New Jersey Office of Recycling and other such reports required by the Bergen County Utilities Authority.
A. 
Effective immediately, it shall be mandatory for all persons, lessees and occupants of residential property to separate aluminum cans, glass bottles (color-separated), leaves, grass clippings and newspapers from all other solid wastes produced by such residences for collection/deposit and the ultimate recycling of said material.
[Amended 6-11-1990 by Ord. No. 1408]
B. 
Designation of recyclable materials.
[Amended 6-11-1990 by Ord. No. 1408; 3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507; 2-27-1995 by Ord. No. 1525; 3-9-2009 by Ord. No. 2081]
(1) 
Mandatory. The following are identified as mandatory materials:
(a) 
Aluminum.
(b) 
Glass.
(c) 
Leaves.
(d) 
Newspapers/magazines.
(e) 
Ferrous metals (white metals).
(f) 
PET beverage containers.
(g) 
Plastic bottles.
(h) 
Bimetal (tin) cans.
(i) 
Grass clippings.
(j) 
White goods.
(k) 
Grass.
(l) 
Household-generated batteries.
(m) 
Construction and demolition debris (concrete, brick, tree parts, nonferrous metal, asphalt, and corrugated cardboard; where practical).
(n) 
Corrugated cardboard.
(o) 
Mixed paper.
(p) 
Type 1 and 2 plastic containers.
(2) 
Voluntary. The following are identified as voluntary recyclable materials:
(a) 
Automotive waste oil.
C. 
Separation, collection and disposal methods of designated recyclable materials.
(1) 
Commingled recyclable materials (mandatory), including aluminum cans, glass, bimetal (tin) cans, PET beverage containers and plastic bottles, shall be separated from other household waste and trash and placed in a common reusable container for curbside collection. The reusable container shall be placed at curbside, according to a schedule adopted by the Recycling Coordinator, on designated days to be collected by municipal employees. Commingled recyclable materials may also be disposed of in receptacles provided at the municipal recycling center during posted hours of operation. Glass containers shall not be broken.
(2) 
Automotive waste oil (voluntary) may be separated and disposed of in receptacles provided at the municipal recycling center.
(3) 
Ferrous metals (white metals) (mandatory) shall be separated at curbside for collection after special arrangements have been first made with the Department of Sanitation. Disposal may also be made in the receptacles provided at the municipal recycling center.
(4) 
Leaves and grass clippings (mandatory) shall be placed in bags of a specific type designated by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator and placed at curbside the evening before a scheduled pickup date as scheduled by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator. Leaves and grass clippings shall not be commingled but rather shall be placed in separate bags. Bagged leaves and grass clippings shall be collected by the Borough. The Recycling Coordinator may provide, from time to time, that leaves, unbagged, be placed in the street abutting the property for collection by the Borough. The Recycling Coordinator shall promulgate regulations, schedules and procedures for the collection of leaves and grass clippings. Anyone placing unbagged leaves in the street for pickup shall see to it that the leaves are piled neatly and do not extend into that portion of the street used by vehicular traffic.
[Amended  6-11-1990 by Ord. No. 1408; 12-26-1990 by Ord. No. 1424]
(5) 
Newspapers/magazines (mandatory) shall be separated, secured and tied in bundles not to exceed fifteen (15) inches in height. Such bundles shall not be contained in plastic bags. These bundles shall be placed at curbside twice a month on designated days to be collected by municipal employees. Bundles of newspapers/magazines may also be disposed of in receptacles provided at the municipal recycling center.
(6) 
Townhouse and apartment residents shall place mandatory recyclable items as described in § 317-5B(1) in designated areas within the respective complex for collection purposes. Newspapers/magazines must be bundled as described in Subsection C(5). Townhouse and apartment residents may also dispose of recyclable materials in receptacles provided at the municipal recycling center during posted hours of operation.
(7) 
Grass (no brush) must be placed in biodegradable containers (no plastic bags) and marked "GRASS."
[Added  3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507]
D. 
Set-out time. For collection pursuant to a schedule announced by the Borough of Ridgefield, all approved containers must be placed at the curbline where easily accessible. No containers shall be set out prior to 5:00 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, unless special announcement of collection is made by the Borough.
E. 
Solid waste wrapped in newspaper permissible. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any person who is an owner, lessee or occupant may wrap solid waste in used newspaper and discard the same with regular solid waste.
F. 
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 municipal 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.
G. 
Washing aluminum, glass and plastic containers. All aluminum, glass, bimetal and plastic food containers must be washed, rinsed and have labels removed to be free of food residue before placing at curbside.
A. 
Effective April 1, 1990, it shall be mandatory for all owners, lessees and occupants of business and/or commercial properties to separate corrugated cardboard, glass bottles (color-separated), food waste, high-grade paper and ferrous scrap produced by such business or commercial properties for private collection/deposit and the ultimate recycling of said material.
B. 
Designation of recyclable materials.
[Amended  3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 15072-27-1995 by Ord. No. 1525; 3-9-2009 by Ord. No. 2081]
(1) 
Mandatory. The following are identified as mandatory recyclable materials:
(a) 
Automotive waste oil.
(b) 
Corrugated cardboard.
(c) 
Glass, color-separated.
(d) 
Ferrous metals (white metals).
(e) 
Food waste.
(f) 
High-grade office paper.
(g) 
Leaves.
(h) 
Aluminum.
(i) 
White goods.
(j) 
Mixed paper.
(k) 
Construction and demolition debris (concrete, brick, tree parts, nonferrous metal, asphalt, and corrugated cardboard; where practical).
(l) 
Grass.
(m) 
Newspapers.
(n) 
Household-generated batteries.
(o) 
Type 1 and 2 plastic containers.
C. 
Separation, collection and disposal methods of designated recyclable materials.
(1) 
Aluminum shall be separated and disposed of in receptacles provided at the Municipal Recycling Center with prior authorization by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
[Amended  3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507]
(2) 
Automotive waste oil (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by either a private scavenger or disposed of in receptacles provided at the municipal recycling center with prior authorization by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
(3) 
Corrugated cardboard (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by a private scavenger.
(4) 
Ferrous metal (white metal) (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by a private scavenger.
(5) 
Food waste (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by a private scavenger.
(6) 
Glass, color-separated (mandatory), shall be disposed of by either a private scavenger or disposed of in receptacles provided at the municipal recycling center with prior authorization by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
(7) 
High-grade office paper (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by a private scavenger.
(8) 
Leaves (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by a private scavenger.
(9) 
Newspapers shall be separated and disposed of by either a private scavenger or disposed of in a receptacle provided at the Municipal Recycling Center with prior authorization by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
[Amended  3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507]
(10) 
Grass (no brush) shall be placed in biodegradable containers (no plastic bags) and marked "GRASS."
[Added  3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1507]
D. 
Registration requirements. It shall be the responsibility of all owners, lessees and occupants of business and/or commercial properties to register annually with the Municipal Recycling Coordinator on forms provided by the Borough. The annual registration must be filed with the Recycling Coordinator on or before January 10 of each year. At the inception of this Article, for the year 1990, such registration shall be filed no later than April 15, 1990. The fee for each annual registration shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.) and shall accompany the registration form. New businesses and/or commercial properties must file within forty-five (45) days of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
E. 
Reporting requirements. It shall be the responsibility of owners, lessees and 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.
F. 
Exemptions. Exemption from the mandatory municipal recycling program may be requested, by any owner, lessee or occupant of business and/or commercial properties, of the Recycling Coordinator. A request for exemption must be made, in writing, on the prescribed form and submitted to the Recycling Coordinator.
G. 
Private scavenger contracts. If the commercial user is either unable or unwilling to secure a market and collector for designated mandatory recyclable materials, the Borough of Ridgefield, through its Recycling Coordinator, may secure such markets and enter into contracts 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.
A. 
Effective April 1, 1990, it shall be mandatory for all private, public and governmental institutions and buildings to separate high-grade office paper produced by such institutions for private garbage collection and the ultimate recycling of materials. High-grade office paper (mandatory) shall be separated and disposed of by a private scavenger.
B. 
Private scavenger contracts. If the institutional user is either unable or unwilling to secure a market and collector for designated mandatory recyclable materials, the Borough of Ridgefield, through its Recycling Coordinator, may secure such markets and enter into contracts on behalf of the institutional user for the collection and disposal of designated recyclable materials; provided, however, that the institutional user shall be responsible for any and all expenses associated with said contract.
Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to prohibit any owner, lessee or occupant of residential property from disposing of recyclable materials privately through a sale or gift, 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 solid waste pickup by the Borough of Ridgefield in accordance with the normal pickup by the Borough of Ridgefield.
From the time recyclable materials are placed at the curb by the owner, lessee or occupant for collection by the Borough of Ridgefield, such recyclable materials shall become the property of the Borough. It shall be a violation of this Article for any person unauthorized to collect or pick up or cause to be collected or picked up any such recyclable materials for any purpose whatsoever once the same have been placed at the curb. Any and each such collection in violation hereof from one (1) or more premises shall constitute a separate and distinct offense punishable as hereinafter provided.
A. 
The Recycling Coordinator, no later than March 31, 1990, shall notify all persons owning, leasing or occupying property within the Borough of Ridgefield of the Borough's recycling opportunities and the source-separation requirements of this Article. This notice shall be done by mailing to all postal patrons within the Borough and by posting a notice in public places where public notices are customarily posted by the Borough.
B. 
Every six (6) months, in June and December, after the initial notification, the Recycling Coordinator shall notify all persons owning, leasing or occupying residential, commercial and institutional premises within the Borough of Ridgefield of local recycling opportunities and the source-separation requirements of this Article. Said notification shall be done in a mailing to all postal patrons within the Borough and by posting a notice in public places where public notices are customarily posted by the Borough.
A. 
This Article shall be referred to the Planning Board of the Borough of Ridgefield 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 with any development proposal for the construction of fifty (50) or more units of single-family residential housing or twenty-five (25) or more units of multifamily residential housing and any commercial or industrial development proposal for the utilization of one thousand (1,000) square feet of land. The Planning Board shall also make recommendations to the Mayor and Council for amendments to the Borough's Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Site Plan Ordinances in accordance with this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 390, Zoning, Development and Construction.
B. 
The governing body shall adopt the required revisions to the Master Plan no later than thirty (30) days from the effective date of this Article.
The enforcement of the provisions of this Article shall be the responsibility of the Recycling Coordinator, the Health Officer, the Zoning Officer and the Departments of Police, Public Works and Sanitation, including specifically, but without limitation, any sanitation and/or recycling inspectors hired by the Borough from time to time. 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, corporation or entity who or which violates or neglects to comply with any provisions of this article, or any rule or regulation promulgated thereto, shall be punished, upon conviction thereof, by a fine not to exceed $500, and/or a period of community service as determined by the Municipal Court Judge. It is suggested to the Municipal Court Judge that any community service imposed in connection with the sentence of a person or entity violating this act be served in the recycling program for a period of time to be determined by the Municipal Court Judge.
[Amended 10-12-2004 by Ord. No. 1892; 10-25-2004 by Ord. No. 1897]
B. 
Each day such violation or neglect is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.
C. 
Fines levied and recovered for noncompliance with any and all provisions of this Article shall be transmitted monthly by the Court Clerk to the Borough Treasurer and placed in the current fund and recorded as a dedication by rider to be utilized for the purposes of the Borough's recycling program, including but not limited to education, awareness and improvement in services, in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:4-39.
[Adopted 2-10-1992 as Ord. No. 1460]
The use of the Borough's recycling facility located at the westerly end of the Pleasantview Terrace is restricted to residents of, and commercial enterprises located in, the Borough of Ridgefield and limited to the acceptance of designated recyclable materials generated by the residents of, and commercial enterprises located in, the Borough of Ridgefield. Use of the recycling facility shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations established by ordinance and/or the Borough's Recycling Coordinator.
No commercial enterprise may use the Borough's recycling facility unless application shall have been made to the Borough's Recycling Coordinator. Said permit must be exhibited by the commercial enterprise in connection with the use of the recycling facility.
[Amended 6-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2133]
A. 
Any person found guilty of violating this article of the Code of the Borough of Ridgefield shall be subject to a penalty consisting of a fine or imprisonment, or both, subject to the discretion of the Judge, the maximum of which shall be the maximum fine or term of imprisonment permitted to be imposed by the court having jurisdiction over the violation of this article of the Code of the Borough of Ridgefield; provided, however, that the fine shall not be less than $100 nor more than $2,000 per offense and the prison term shall not exceed 90 days in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.
B. 
In the event of a continuing violation, each day shall constitute a separate offense.