Township of Clark, NJ Article I Garbage and Refuse Disposal

[Derived from Secs. 22-1.1 to 22-1.8 of the 2002 Revised General Ordinances, adopted 12-16-2002 by Ord. No. 02-27]

§ 302-1 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

REFUSE, RUBBISH, GARBAGE, COMBUSTIBLE AND NONCOMBUSTIBLE WASTE

A. Refuse, rubbish, garbage and combustible and noncombustible waste includes the following forms of material in solid or semisolid form:

(1) Fabrics, excelsior, paper, cartons, bags.

(2) Household waste, garbage, swill, slops, sweepings, bones, grease, offal, manure.

(3) Scrap building materials, rocks, concrete, plaster, asbestos, brick, lumber, sand, gravel, tiling, shingles.

(4) Ashes, cinders, soot, debris, rubble, glass, unclean or contaminated soil or earth.

(5) Junk, scrap metal, cans, plumbing fixtures, machinery parts.

(6) Barrels, boxes, crates, containers.

(7) Branches, leaves, brush, weeds, clippings, cuttings, stumps, tree trunks.

B. Garbage, refuse or rubbish shall not, however, include any materials required to be recycled under Article II, Recycling, of this chapter.

§ 302-2 Refuse receptacles.

A. Duty to provide. The owner or his/her agent, lessee, tenant or occupant of every dwelling, house or other premises where waste accumulates shall provide and keep on such premises sufficient and suitable receptacles with tight-fitting covers for receiving and holding the waste.

B. Sufficient number required. There shall be at least one receptacle for each family unit or other occupant of premises and at least two receptacles or one of ample capacity and design acceptable to the Bureau of Health for each commercial or business establishment where refuse shall accumulate, but each occupant of residential or commercial premises shall provide sufficient receptacles to store all waste which may be accumulated between the times when such refuse is disposed of as hereinafter provided.

C. Suitable type of receptacle. The receptacle shall be tight, nonporous metal or plastic with tight-fitting covers, so constructed as to prevent spilling or leakage of its contents. Each receptacle for use at a single residence shall have a capacity of not more than 30 gallons and be equipped with a pull handle. Each receptacle shall be verminproof.

D. Receptacles for multiple dwellings and industrial premises. Receptacles for waste from multidwelling units or industrial premises may have a greater capacity than that prescribed herein, provided they meet the qualifications of a suitable receptacle and are equipped for handling by motorized equipment, cleaned and sanitized as needed after emptying, and replaced by the same type of receptacle if removed for emptying.

E. Damaged receptacles. Garbage in receptacles that are badly broken or otherwise fail to meet the requirements of this article need not be collected, provided that written notice has been given to the owner and the Health Officer.

F. Location of receptacles. Receptacles shall be conveniently located on premises for the storage of refuse and maintained in such a manner, with the cover in place, so as to prevent creation of a nuisance or menace to public health.

G. All receptacles placed at the curb shall be brought back into the property owner's premises within 24 hours after pickup.

§ 302-3 Preparation of refuse for collection.

A. Garbage shall be drained of all liquids, wrapped in paper or placed in paper bags and placed in a refuse receptacle.

B. Papers shall be secured and properly tied into bundles or other packages in a manner so as to prevent scattering while waiting or during collection. The bundles or packages shall be of a size and weight to permit ease of handling by one man and are not to exceed 50 pounds.

C. Combustible or noncombustible waste of such a nature that it cannot be deposited in a receptacle shall be securely and properly tied into bundles or packages of a size and weight so as to permit ease of handling by one man and shall be packaged or otherwise assembled in quantities weighing not more than 50 pounds.

D. Rocks, concrete, junk, scrap metal, plumbing fixtures and contaminated earth and machinery parts shall be segregated.

§ 302-4 Frequency of collection.

A. Business property. The person occupying any premises whereon a business or industry is conducted shall arrange for the removal of refuse on such premises each day, unless sufficient facilities are provided and used for the storage of such refuse within a roofed enclosure on such premises until the refuse is removed.

B. Residential property. The person occupying any other premises shall be required to arrange for the pickup or collection of refuse from the premises at least twice a week during a period when the premises are being occupied and used by such person.

§ 302-5 Interruption of service.

A. Where service of a customer is interrupted, and it appears the interruption will continue for more than one day or one pickup, the collector shall notify the Health Officer immediately of such interruption, giving a full account and statement of the reasons for such interruption and the estimated duration.

B. Each collector shall be responsible for a backup service and shall advise the Health Officer of the name and address of the supplier of the backup service to be available in the event of any interruption of service.

§ 302-6 Regulation of collection.

A. All vehicles for which permits are issued shall be of the closed type and shall be constructed and loaded in such fashion that no part of the contents shall fall, leak or spill therefrom.

B. Vehicles must be properly covered to prevent the scattering or spilling of rubbish either on private or public property.

C. Any person who shall spill or scatter any refuse collected by him/her on either public or private property shall immediately collect such refuse for disposal.

D. Collections shall be made between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, Saturdays and holidays and shall be done in a quiet and orderly manner.

§ 302-7 Bulky cleanup.

A. From time to time as directed by the Township Administrator, bulky cleanup materials shall consist of furniture, storm screens and windows, rugs (cut up and tied), doors, toys, garden tools, etc. The following items are not determined to constitute solid waste and will not be picked up by the Township: construction material resulting from demolition, alteration, or repair to buildings (e.g., kitchen/bathroom remodeling, toilets, sinks, tubs, etc.); mattresses, box springs; appliances; propane tanks; auto parts and tires; railroad ties, concrete, logs, dirt, rocks; paint cans and painting products. All bulky items should be placed between the curb and sidewalk (not in the street) in boxes, containers, etc., and not loose on the street.

[Amended 8-18-2014 by Ord. No. 14-20]

B. Appointment for pickup shall be as follows with no exceptions:

[Amended 8-18-2014 by Ord. No. 14-20]

(1) For the First Ward, the reservation shall be made by 3:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the first week of the month;

(2) For the Second Ward, the reservation shall be made by 3:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the second week of the month;

(3) For the Third Ward, the reservation shall be made by 3:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the third week of the month;

(4) For the Fourth Ward, the reservation shall be made by 3:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the fourth week of the month.

C. Should there be inclement weather during the winter months; the pickup of bulky items will be rescheduled.

[Amended 8-18-2014 by Ord. No. 14-20]

D. This section provides for the curbside pickup of bulky refuse, as defined hereinabove, owned by the residents of the Township of Clark residing on the property from which the cleanup is requested. It shall be a violation of this section for the property owner to accept from any third party, not residing within the Township of Clark, whether related or unrelated, any bulky refuse for disposal.

[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 10-01]

E. Any property owner who accepts, suffers or permits the bulky refuse of a third party, not residing within the Township of Clark, for pickup and disposal by the Township pursuant to the terms hereof shall be subject to a fine of $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second offense and $1,500 for the third offense, upon conviction of the third offense.

[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 10-01]

§ 302-8 Compliance by collectors.

All collectors shall comply with state laws, state regulations, other ordinances of the Township and the rules, regulations and orders of the local Bureau of Health and State Board of Health.