[1972 Code § 80-1; Ord. No. 95/6]
As used in this section:
Shall mean those large items including but not limited to carpets, mattresses, stoves, refrigerators, television sets, beds, furniture, sinks, and bathtubs.
Shall mean the meat and vegetable waste solids resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of foods.
Shall mean ashes and trade waste and wastes from all material resulting from the operation of any business, trade or industry, and shall include rags, leather, rubber, wood, excelsior, sawdust, garbage and other combustible solids except manure and except those materials defined in subsection 15-2.1 of the Code as recyclable, and materials which are not considered by the Borough to be of a highly volatile or explosive nature. Refuse shall also mean metals, metal shavings, wire, cinder, earth and other materials except those materials defined in subsection 15-2.1 or otherwise federally or state designated as recyclable materials.
Shall mean waste originating from building construction or alteration work, or cellar or yard dirt; paper which is not defined as recyclable paper in subsection 15-2.1; rubbish including rags, old clothes, leather, rubber, wood, excelsior, sawdust, yard trimmings and other combustible solids not considered by the Borough to be of a highly volatile or explosive nature and not considered recyclable material as defined in subsection 15-2.1 or otherwise federally or state designated as recyclable materials. Waste shall also mean metals, metal shavings, tin cans, glass, crockery and other similar materials.
[1972 Code § 80-2 A, B i Ord. No. 95/6]
a.
Receptacles Required; Capacity.
1.
The owner, agent, lessee, or tenant 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 garbage, refuse and waste.
2.
Receptacles for dwellings shall be equipped with sturdy handles and are not to exceed 32 gallon capacity.
3.
A receptacle used by a resident shall not weigh in excess of 30 pounds when filled, and shall be capable of being handled by one person.
b.
At least one receptacle shall be provided for each family unit or other occupants of the premises and at least two receptacles for each business establishment; but in any event, the owner, agent, lessee, tenant or occupant shall provide sufficient receptacles to store all garbage, refuse and waste which may accumulate between the times when same is disposed of by pickup, as hereinafter provided.
[1972 Code § 80-2 D, E; Ord. No. 95/6]
a.
Location. Collection of materials in receptacles shall, at the option of the owner, agent, lessee, tenant, or occupant, be:
1.
In the rear of the main building in proximity to the driveway; or
2.
Within three feet of the curb or street line thereof for collection at the curb; or
3.
In in-ground containers which may be maintained and located near the roadway set back not less than two feet from the property line and shall not be maintained or located in any part of the Borough right-of-way.
b.
Collection.
1.
Residents who have their waste collected at the curb shall not set out receptacles prior to 8:00 p.m. on the day prior to collection. Receptacles must be returned to their storage location no later than 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection.
2.
No waste shall be placed at the curb for collection unless it is enclosed in a receptacle with a tight-fitting lid.
3.
Receptacles set out for curbside collection shall not be placed within a 20 foot radius of any mailbox, and shall not otherwise obstruct any mail carrier's access to any mailbox.
4.
Receptacles shall be placed near the curb on sufficiently level ground so that the container does not easily upset.
5.
Any solid waste placed at the curb shall be placed in such a way as not to create a public nuisance or safety hazard.
6.
No garbage, refuse or waste shall be deposited upon any sidewalk, public street, or any other public place.
7.
If any container of garbage is upset or overturned, the property owner, tenant, lessee or occupant placing the garbage for collection shall promptly clean up such spill of garbage and restore it to a suitable receptacle.
c.
The person occupying any premises shall arrange for the removal of garbage, refuse and waste from the premises at least once a week when the premises are being occupied and used by the person. If the premises are occupied for business or commercial purposes, the person, firm, or corporation occupying the premises shall arrange for removal of garbage, refuse and waste on the premises each day unless sufficient and suitable facilities are provided and used for the storage of such garbage, refuse and waste within a building on the premises. In any event, it shall be required that pickup or collection occur no less than once a week.
[1972 Code § 81-1; Ord. No. OR:07/23 § 2]
As used in this section:
Shall mean all aluminum beverage containers.
Shall mean dry cell batteries such as, but not limited to, radio, toy, watch and/or calculator batteries.
Shall mean all commercial, industrial, government, business or institutional establishments or properties within the Borough of Watchung other than residential properties.
Shall mean paper cartons, sheets, spacer material or any other container consisting of two layers of brown paper separated by an inner rippled core.
Shall mean all glass bottles and jars of any color, thoroughly rinsed with caps and closures removed.
Shall mean all magazines, glossy inserts, computer paper, colored paper, catalogs, store fliers with mailing labels, office paper, hardcover books with hard covers removed, junk mail, writing or school paper, envelopes, paperback books and copy paper.
Shall mean all paper of the type commonly referred to as news print and distributed at stated intervals, usually daily or weekly, having printed thereon news and opinions, containing advertisements and other matters of public interest. The term "newspapers" shall also include inserts that come with the newspapers, such as comics, colored store or grocery advertisements, TV and magazine sections and glossy coupons.
Shall mean plastic bottles or jugs bearing a "#1" or "#2" in a recycling triangle, thoroughly rinsed with caps, lids or closures removed.
Shall mean the following mandatory items to be separated from waste:
a. | The following are items all residential properties must separate from waste: |
Newspaper | |
Mixed paper | |
Corrugated cardboard | |
Telephone books | |
Aluminum cans | |
Glass containers | |
Steel and bimetal cans | |
Plastic containers (#1 & #2 plastic bottles) | |
Leaves | |
Textiles | |
Motor oil | |
Consumer batteries | |
Asphalt | |
Concrete | |
Wood waste | |
b. | The following are items all commercial, industrial, institutional, governments and office parks must separate from waste: |
Aluminum cans | |
Antifreeze | |
Computer printout/white ledger | |
Concrete | |
Consumer batteries | |
Corrugated cardboard | |
Glass containers | |
Heavy iron | |
Lead-acid batteries | |
Leaves and brush | |
Magazines and junk mail | |
Mercury containing devices | |
Mixed office paper | |
Newspaper | |
Plastic containers (#1 & #2 plastic bottles) | |
Scrap autos | |
Steel cans | |
Stumps, logs and tree parts | |
Textiles | |
Used consumer electronics | |
Used motor oil | |
White goods and light iron | |
Wood scrap |
Shall mean all single-family and multiple-family dwellings or structures within the Borough of Watchung, including, but not limited to, garden and high-rise apartments, townhouses, condominiums and apartments.
Shall mean tin-plated and bimetal food and beverage cans.
Shall mean any clean clothing, drapes, curtains, sheets, towels, belts, handbags or clean cloths at least fifteen inches by fifteen (15" x 15") inches in size.
[1972 Code § 81-2]
There is hereby established a program for the mandatory separation of newspapers, glass, aluminum and plastic within the Borough.
[1972 Code § 81-3]
a.
The owner, operator or occupant of any commercial, professional, industrial or institutional establishment shall place for disposal, removal or collection, newspapers, glass, aluminum, commercial paper, plastic, tin-plated steel and bimetal food cans as defined herein and in conformity with the regulations set forth in this section, and as established by the Borough Coordinator and the Governing Body.
b.
The occupant or owner of any residential dwelling or structure within the Borough shall place for disposal, removal or collection, the items required to be recycled in conformity with the established regulations.
c.
It is prohibited and will be determined a violation hereof for any owner, lessee, or occupant of any residential, commercial, industrial or institutional property in the Borough to put into, or cause to be put into, the solid waste collection system of the Borough any of the recyclables defined in this section.
[1972 Code § 81-4; New]
a.
The collection, removal and disposal of newspapers, glass, aluminum, commercial paper, plastic, tin-plated steel and bimetal food and beverage cans shall be supervised by the Borough of Watchung, Building and Public Affairs Committee, or its designated agent, as the Watchung Borough Recycling Coordinator.
b.
The Watchung Borough Recycling Coordinator may make periodic random inspections of residential dwellings and structures to determine compliance with this section.
c.
The Watchung Borough Recycling Coordinator shall, at least once a year, inspect each commercial, institutional and industrial facility in the Borough to determine compliance with this section.
d.
Recyclable materials shall be placed in front of premises not more than 24 hours in advance of pickup. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in this section, no recyclable materials shall remain in front of the premises for more than 24 hours, unless scheduled pickup is officially delayed. All containers shall be removed from the curbside promptly after pickup.
[1972 Code § 81-5]
It shall be a violation of this section for any person unauthorized by the Borough to collect or pick up or cause to be collected or picked up any such items during the 24 hour period commencing at 6:00 p.m. on any day preceding a day designated for collection. Any and each such collection in violation hereof from one or more residences during said 24 hour period shall constitute a separate and distinct offense punishable as hereinafter provided.
[1972 Code § 81-6; New]
Any person, firm or corporation that violates or neglects to comply with any provisions of this section or any regulation promulgated pursuant thereto shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to penalty as stated in Chapter 1, Section 1-5, General Penalty. The enforcement of this section shall be carried out by the Watchung Borough Recycling Coordinator and/or his designee, which designee may include but not be limited to members of the Watchung Borough Police Department.
[Added 5-2-2024 by Ord. No. 24/09]
It shall be unlawful for any person to: dump, deposit, place or throw, or cause to permit to be dumped, deposited, placed or thrown, upon any property belonging to another person, without express permission of such owner, any barrels, boxes, cans, bottles, glasses, papers, or containers broken or otherwise susceptible of holding or containing liquids of any junk, garbage, rubbish, live or dead vegetation, grass, leaves, trees, branches, stumps, castoff building materials, soil, offal, or other offensive or unsightly matter.
[Added 5-2-2024 by Ord. No. 24/09]
It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupant of any lot or land to dump, deposit, place or throw, or permit to be dumped thereon, or allow to accumulate thereon, and fail to remove within five days after the service of the notice hereinafter provided for in subsection 15-3.5, any barrels, boxes, cans, bottles, glasses, papers or containers, broken or otherwise susceptible of holding or containing liquids; or any obnoxious growths, filth, junk, garbage, rubbish, dead vegetation, leaves, discarded building materials, sewerage, offal, trash, debris, or other offensive or unsightly matter.
[Added 5-2-2024 by Ord. No. 24/09]
It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee, or occupant of any lot or land to permit or maintain on such lot or land, within a distance of 200 feet of any building, sidewalk, public place or the curbline of any street, any growth of weeds, grass or brush to a height of six inches or more, or any dead or dying trees, stumps, roots or other rank vegetation, and failure to remove such items within 10 days after service of notice is hereinafter provided in subsection 15-3.5.
[Added 5-2-2024 by Ord. No. 24/09]
It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupant of any lot to maintain thereon any ingraded excavation, or any excavation in which water may become stagnant, and continue such condition in excess of 10 days after service of the notice hereinafter provided in subsection 15-3.5.
[Added 5-2-2024 by Ord. No. 24/09]
a.
In the event that the owner, lessee or occupant of lands fails to remove the substance or correct the condition prescribed as unlawful in this Section 15-3 within five days after the notice to remove or remedy the same, and the Code Official having determined that the same is necessary and expedient for the preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, or to eliminate a fire hazard, the Code Official or his/her designee may cause the substance to be removed or the condition to be corrected and the cost thereof, plus an administrative fee of 15%, to be certified to the Council, which shall examine the certificate and if found to be correct adopt a resolution certifying the amount and authorizing said amount to be charged against said lands. The administrative fee shall be subject to a minimum amount of $500. The amount charged shall thereupon become a lien upon said lands and shall be added to and become a part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands, the same to bear interest at the same rate as unpaid taxes, and shall be collected and enforced by the same officer and in the same manner as real estate taxes. The notice herein provided for shall be in writing and shall be served upon a resident of Watchung personally, or by leaving it at his or her usual place of abode, and shall be served upon a nonresident of Watchung by mailing the same to his or her last known address as shown on the tax records. This remedy shall be in addition to the penalties hereinafter provided.
b.
Any and all administrative fee amounts collected as a result of this section shall be used exclusively for the replacement of materials and equipment utilized by the Code Official for the purposes of enforcement of this section and shall be held in trust by the Borough's Chief Financial Officer for that purpose.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
Shall mean any debris-transfer body which is commonly used for the placement, collection and/or carting of rubble, rubbish, garbage, debris, building material or any other matter, which such container is portable or semiportable; also often known as a "roll-off dumpster" or "roll-off container." For the purposes of this section, "dumpster" shall not include the permanent refuse containers permitted to be located at non-residential properties.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
a.
Dumpsters shall only be located on private property and shall not be left standing or parked on or along any Borough street, road, right-of-way or on any public property.
b.
In the event of extenuating circumstances, whereby a dumpster cannot be located on private property due to driveway width or other property access constraints, a dumpster may be placed at curbside on any Borough street, road or right-of-way subject to the prior written approval of the Chief of Police or his/her designee, based on a determination of whether or not the dumpster may be located at the curbside without any detriment to vehicular and public safety, or would constitute a public nuisance or hazard.
c.
Any person placing or caused to be placed any dumpster or any other apparatus used to collect refuse and disposed building material of any kind whatsoever, on or about any street or public place within the Borough, shall keep such equipment properly guarded and reflected in such a manner that the safety of the public will be amply protected.
d.
The property owner shall be liable for any damage caused by the placement of the dumpster to the public sidewalks and roadways.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
a.
No dumpster shall be permitted on any property for longer than 30 days.
b.
When a construction permits have been issued for the property, a dumpster may remain longer than 30 days, but must be removed prior to the issuance of the certificate of completion/occupancy.
c.
Only one dumpster may be placed at any residential property at any one time.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
Any person who violates any provision of this section shall receive written notice of said violation, warning said party to take action to remediate the violation. If no action is taken within 24 hours, a summons may be issued. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a penalty set forth in Section 1-5 of the Borough Code. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
This section is adopted in compliance with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's stormwater regulations, requiring dumpsters and other refuse containers that are outdoors or exposed to stormwater to be covered at all times and prohibits the spilling, dumping, leaking, or otherwise discharge of liquids, semi-liquids or solids from the containers to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Borough and/or the waters of the state so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for the failure to comply.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
For the purpose of this section, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this section clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
Means a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, or storm drains) that is owned or operated by the Borough, and is designed and used for collecting and conveying storm water. NOTE: In municipalities with combined sewer systems, add the following: "MS4s do not include combined sewer systems, which are sewer systems that are designed to carry sanitary sewage at all times and to collect and transport stormwater from streets and other sources."
Means any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
Means any waste container that a person controls whether owned, leased, or operated, including dumpsters, trash cans, garbage pails, and plastic trash bags.
Means water resulting from precipitation (including rain and snow) that runs off the land's surface, is transmitted to the subsurface, and is captured by separate storm sewers or other sewerage or drainage facilities, or is conveyed by snow removal equipment.
Means the ocean and its estuaries, all springs, streams and bodies of surface or groundwater, whether natural or artificial, within the boundaries of the state of New Jersey or subject to its jurisdiction.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
a.
Any person who controls, whether owned, leased, or operated, a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that such container or dumpster is covered at all times and shall prevent refuse from spilling out or overflowing.
b.
Any person who owns leases or otherwise uses a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that such container or dumpster does not leak or otherwise discharge liquids, semi-liquids or solids to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Borough.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
a.
Permitted temporary demolition containers.
b.
Litter receptacles (other than dumpsters or other bulk containers).
c.
Individual homeowner trash and recycling containers.
d.
Refuse containers at facilities authorized to discharge stormwater under a valid NJPDES permit.
e.
Large bulky items (e.g., furniture, bound carpet and padding, white goods placed curbside for pickup).
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
This section shall be enforced by the Police Department and/or the Zoning Officer of the Borough.
[Added 9-18-2025 by Ord. No. 25/12]
Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be subject to a penalty set forth in Section 1-5 of the Borough Code.