City of Clayton, MO Article II Recycling [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former Art. II, Recycling, was repealed 9-29-2023 by Ord. No. 6857. Prior history includes CC 1970, Ord. No. 4813, Ord. No. 4834, Ord. No. 4920, and Ord. No. 5977.

Section 235.310 Recycling Solid Waste

[Ord. No. 6857, 9-29-2023]

A. Definitions. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them:

COMPOSTABLES

Yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, vines, hedge and shrub trimmings, tree trimming and tree limbs less than one (1) inch in diameter that will fit in a lidded trash can. Tree limbs larger than one (1) inch in diameter and larger than four (4) feet are considered bulk rubbish.

MAJOR APPLIANCES

Washers and dryers, water heaters, trash compactors, dishwashers, microwave ovens, conventional ovens, ranges, stoves, wood stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and humidifiers.

RECYCLABLES

Newsprint; brown, clear and green glass containers; aluminum and metal cans; plastic milk jugs and plastic soda bottles, all rinsed and reasonably free of food, dirt and other contaminants. Also included as a recyclable is any other material that the City and collector may hereafter mutually agree to collect as a recyclable. For the purpose of this Section, recyclables shall not include other solid waste, bulk rubbish or special waste as defined in this Chapter.

RECYCLABLES CONTAINER

A container furnished by the residence or City refuse collector for storage of recyclables.

B. Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to require mandatory separation of recyclable items to aid and promote collection thereof and disposal by means other than deposit in a sanitary landfill or by burning.

C. Separation And Storage Of Recyclables.

1. Every resident of every premises shall separate the recyclables from their respective premises from all other refuse, garbage, rubbish, waste matter, and compostables and shall store the recyclables in a recyclable container. Owners or residents of dwelling units who need recyclables containers may acquire the same from the refuse collector providing service to the property. If in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, adequate and sufficient recyclable containers for the storage of recyclables between the prescribed collection days are not provided, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to arrange with the refuse collector for adequate recyclable containers.

2. Recyclables shall be collected at the same locations on the premises as solid wastes.

3. The deposit of unauthorized materials into a recyclables container or bin, or removal of another person's recyclables from a recyclables container or bin, or conversion of a recyclables container, or removal of a recyclables container from another person's premises for the deposit of compostables into any container containing refuse, recyclables, garbage, rubbish or waste material, shall be deemed a violation of this Section.

4. All containers for recyclables and compostables stored out of doors shall be stored behind any building located on the tract of land.

D. Separation And Storage Of Compostables.

1. Every occupant of a premises with yard waste service shall separate compostables from their respective premises from all other refuse, garbage, rubbish, waste matter and recyclables. Compostables to be collected by a refuse collector shall be stored in containers which are either biodegradable paper bags or a metal or plastic container not exceeding ninety-five (95) gallons. Containers for compostables must be tightly sealed to prevent nuisance odors.

2. Plastic bag containers shall not be used for compostables collection.

3. All compostables may be placed together in the same compostables container. Small limbs [no longer than four (4) feet long and less than one (1) inch in diameter] and branches may also be placed in a compostable container.

4. Compostables shall be collected at the same place and on the same collection day as recyclables.

E. Collection Of Recyclables/Compostables.

1. Collection of recyclables and compostables from dwellings shall be by a hauler duly licensed by the City. Also, such collection shall be done in compliance with all other applicable ordinances of the City, now or hereafter in effect.

2. The collection of recyclables and compostables from single-family, two-family or multiple dwellings by any private hauler not contracted by the City is expressly prohibited, except as provided by law and authorized by the Director of Public Works.

3. Refuse collectors shall schedule collection of recyclables and compostables in a given locale on the same day in accordance with schedules of and routes for collection as determined by the Director of Public Works.

4. Neither the foregoing provisions of this Section nor any other provisions of this Section shall prevent any occupant from discarding that occupant's recyclables by personally delivering them to a centralized recycling collection site, manufacturer, or other vendor, or donating the same to non-profit civic, charitable, or service organizations.

F. Disposal Of Recyclables/Compostables.

1. Recyclables shall not, in any event:

a. Be deposited in any landfill;

b. Be burned in any incinerator; or

c. Be deposited or distributed in any way or manner which is contrary to the then applicable law, Statute, ordinance, rule or regulation; provided, however, that the restrictions in Subsection (F)(1)(a) and (b) above shall not apply to any recyclables or compostables which are deposited in a landfill or burned pursuant to specific prior written approval granted by the City.

2. Residents shall take such action as is reasonable under the circumstances to determine that recyclables and compostables are not disposed of contrary to the provisions of this Section.

G. Ownership Of Recyclables/Compostables. All recyclable and compostable materials shall be owned by and be the responsibility of the residents of premises until they are collected by the refuse collector. Upon collection of the recyclable and/or compostable materials by the refuse collector, the recyclable and/or compostable materials, with the exception of recyclable containers and/or compostable containers which are reusable, become the property and responsibility of the refuse collector.

H. Care Of Recyclable Containers. Each resident shall be responsible for the cleanliness and proper care of each recyclable container in his/her possession.

I. Disposal Of Recyclables/Compostables. Refuse collectors shall dispose of recyclables at a local recycling and/or composting facility, if available; otherwise, the refuse collector may sell recyclables and/or compostables to any purchaser of collector's choosing, unless otherwise directed by the City. Collectors shall be entitled to retain the proceeds of any sale thereof.

J. Major Appliance Collection. Major appliances as defined in this Section can be picked up by the refuse collectors, with prior notification, for a fee as established from time to time.