[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Barkhamsted: Art. I, Special Town Meeting 2-11-1969 by Ord. No. 10; Art. II, Special Town Meeting 6-20-1990 by Ord. No. 51. Section 160-2 amended during codification; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II. Other amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Regional Refuse Disposal District Charter — See Ch. A206.
[Adopted STM 2-11-1969 by Ord. No. 10]
No person shall deposit any garbage, refuse, animal matter, bones, fat or other rejected, unwholesome or waste substance on any property in the Town of Barkhamsted except at a public dump established by the town, provided that this Article shall not be construed as to prohibit the normal activities incident to the operation of farms or agricultural enterprises within the Town of Barkhamsted or the normal activities of householders residing within the town or activities generally relating to the operation of forestry and landscaping enterprises. All such material shall be stored in containers prior to removal to either the Barkhamsted dump at such time as one is created and prior to removal to any dump in any other town which is used for Barkhamsted's purposes. There shall be no other public dump allowed in town other than one created by the Town of Barkhamsted and under the control of the Town of Barkhamsted.
Any person, firm or corporation found to be in violation of § 160-1 of this Article shall be fined not more than $100. Each day while any such violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended during codification; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II.
[Adopted STM 6-20-1990 by Ord. No. 51[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: The preamble to this ordinance read as follows:
"Whereas, discarded nonbiodegradable packaging and plastic contained within the waste stream of Barkhamsted is a fundamental cause of problems associated with municipal waste disposal.
"Whereas, the chemical composition and ability of a substance to biodegrade are meaningful and useful criteria to focus upon when establishing public policy that is intended to improve the management and disposal of solid waste, reduce the cumulative impact of litter, encourage composting and other forms of recycling, minimize the potential for toxic substances to form if solid waste is burned, reduce the volume of ash by-products that may be created by any burning of waste plastic packaging and otherwise anticipate environmental and health problems that may be caused by municipal solid waste disposal programs.
"Whereas, the use of polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride for food packaging is problematic and potentially damaging to the health of the citizens of Barkhamsted because neither of these plastics are readily recyclable; their abundant commercial use in lieu of other plastics, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, unnecessarily complicates the overall chemical composition of municipal waste and subtracts from the possible emergence of a viable plastic recycling market for this region; and polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride leave a relatively heavier and therefore more expensive ash residue to dispose of which may also create toxic chemicals that could be emitted into the general environment of Barkhamsted.
"Whereas, there are readily available substitutes for most of the polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride retail food packaging now being used in Barkhamsted, the use of which alternatives would be environmentally and economically advantageous to the health of the people of Barkhamsted."
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING
Packaging made of cellulose-based or other substances that are capable of being readily attacked, decomposed, assimilated and otherwise completely oxidized or broken down by bacteria or other natural biological organisms into carbonaceous soil material or water and carbon dioxide.
PACKAGING
All food-related wrappings, adhesives, cords, bindings, strings, bags, boxes and containers and disposable or nonreusable plates, cups or drinking utensils intended for use within the Town of Barkhamsted.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Materials required by the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to be recycled, as provided by C.G.S. § 22a-241b and the regulations issued in accordance therewith, as they may be amended from time to time, and all beverage containers having a refund value under the Connecticut Bottle Bill (C.G.S. § 22a-244).
RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT
Any restaurant, food operation or any other place, other than a private residence, where food and drink is prepared or served, with or without charge, for consumption on or off the premises, including any catering establishment or any eating place, whether fixed or mobile, restaurant, bar, cafe, cafeteria, industrial establishment, public or private school, private club, coffee shop, tearoom, short-order cafe, sandwich stand or any other type of food service operation and any person, firm or corporation which sells, offers or keeps for sale any groceries, confectionaries, meats, fish, vegetables or fruits and all sales outlets, stores, shops or other places of business located within the Town of Barkhamsted which operate primarily to sell or convey foods directly to the ultimate consumer, which foods are predominantly contained, wrapped or held in or on packaging. A "retail food establishment" shall include but not be limited to any place where food is prepared, mixed, cooked, baked, smoked, sold or offered for sale, including but not limited to any fixed or mobile restaurant, drive-in, coffee shop, cafeteria, short-order cafe, delicatessen, luncheonette, grill, sandwich shop, soda fountain, tavern, bar, cocktail lounge, nightclub, roadside establishment, catering kitchen, commissary, grocery store, public food market, food stand or similar place in which food or drink is prepared for sale or for service on the premises or elsewhere and any other establishment or operation, including homes, where food is processed, prepared, stored, served or provided for the public for charge.
A. 
No retail food establishment located and doing business within the Town of Barkhamsted shall sell or convey food within the Town of Barkhamsted for removal from such establishment unless such food is placed, wrapped or packed in biodegradable or recyclable packaging.
B. 
No retail food establishment located and doing business within the Town of Barkhamsted shall sell, give or provide eating utensils or food containers to any consumer if such eating utensils or food containers are composed of polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride.
The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Barkhamsted may promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Article.
This Article shall not be construed to require additional packaging not otherwise required or requested.
Failure to comply with § 160-4 of this Article shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100 for each day such violation continues to exist.