[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
For the purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases,
words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein.
When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present
tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular
number, and words in the singular number include the plural number.
The word “shall” is always mandatory and not merely directory.
(A)
“Ashes”
means the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke or other combustible
materials.
(B)
“Bags”
means plastic sacks designated for refuse with sufficient wall strength
to maintain physical integrity when lifted by the top, securely tied
at the top for collection, with a capacity not to exceed 32 gallons
and a loaded weight not to exceed 25 pounds.
(C)
“Bulk
waste” or “bulk items” means a piece of furniture
or waste material from a residential source other than construction
debris or hazardous waste, with a weight greater than 25 pounds and
volume greater than that allowed for carts. Pianos, organs, spas,
hot tubs, and furnaces are excluded from the definition of bulk waste.
(D)
“Cart”
means a 35-, 64-, or 95-gallon plastic container, provided by the
city, equipped with wheels, handles and a tight-fitting cover. Carts
are capable of being mechanically unloaded into the contractor’s
collection vehicles. The terms “cart” and “wheeled
container” shall be considered interchangeable.
(E)
“City”
means the City of Meadville, Pennsylvania.
(F)
“City
billing agent” means the person and/ or entity designated by
the city to act as the billing agent to send invoices and receive
fees related to refuse and recyclables.
(G)
“City
contractor” means the person holding the refuse collection and
disposal contract with the city.
(H)
“Curbside”
means the nearest point at the side of a roadway.
(I)
“Demolition
waste” or “construction debris” means the waste
materials generated by the construction, alteration or demolition
of buildings or structures and shall include but is not limited to
lumber, masonry, plaster, concrete, asphalt, shingles, siding, glass,
fixtures, piping, wiring and similar materials. It shall not include
items designated as “hazardous materials.” The terms “demolition
waste” and “construction debris” shall be considered
interchangeable.
(J)
“Detachable
container” or “dumpster” means a watertight, all-metal
container, not less than three quarter cubic yards in capacity and
equipped with a tight-fitting metal or plastic cover. The term shall
also apply to containers of other material of similar size when approved
by the city. Detachable containers two cubic yards and under shall
be equipped with at least four wheels. Detachable containers shall
have no jagged edges or holes.
(K)
“Food
waste” means vegetable and other food scraps, including meat,
dairy products, grease and bones, paper which has been contaminated
with food, fat or grease, and compostable paper including paper towels,
paper plates, tissue and waxed paper.
(L)
“Garbage”
means all discarded putrescible waste matter but not including sewage
or sewage sludge, human excrement, source separated recyclables or
leaf waste.
(M)
“Generator”
means a person or municipality that produces or creates municipal
waste.
(N)
“Hazardous
waste” means waste designated as hazardous by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency or the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection.
(O)
“Large
items” means items that are too large to be placed inside the
cart or inside of a 32-gallon bag, with an individual weight no greater
than 25 pounds and which do not meet the definition of a bulk item.
These items include lamps, bicycles, large toys and swing sets, vacuum
cleaners, and other small household appliances, aluminum and plastic
resin lawn furniture, an individual cut and tied bundle of carpeting
measuring no more than four feet in length and meeting the weight
requirements, as well as other items of similar size, weight and compactable
nature.
(P)
“Leaf
waste” or “yard waste” means plant material (leaves,
branches, brush, flowers, roots, wood waste, etc., but not including
grass clippings); debris commonly thrown away in the course of maintaining
yards and gardens. Leaf waste does not include loose soils, sod, food
waste including from gardens or orchards, food compost, plastics and
synthetic fibers, lumber, any wood or tree limbs over four inches
in diameter, human or animal excrement, noxious weeds and soil contaminated
with hazardous substances. With the exception of holiday trees, materials
larger than four inches in diameter and four feet in length shall
not be considered leaf waste and shall not be subject to collection.
(Q)
“Multifamily
dwelling” means structures containing four or more dwelling
units within a single structure. This shall include apartment buildings,
but shall not include rooming houses or single-family dwellings converted
into rental units with common kitchen and bath facilities or attached
single-family residences.
(R)
“Municipal
waste” means any garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office
waste and other material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained
gaseous material, resulting from operation of residential, municipal,
commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities
and any sludge not meeting the definition of residual or hazardous
waste in the Solid Waste Management Act from a municipal, commercial
or institutional water supply treatment plant, wastewater treatment
plant or air pollution control facility. The term does not include
source-separated recyclable materials.
(S)
“Owner”
shall be the person(s) identified as owners of the real estate among
the official records of the county and such other persons who may
have the right of possession and control of the premises under a lease,
agreement or similar arrangement.
(T)
“Person”
means every natural person, firm, corporation, partnership, association
or other entity.
(U)
“Recyclables”
means mixed waste paper (including corrugated), newspapers, magazines,
bi-metal and aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic containers
Numbers 1 through 7 and other items as designated by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection.
(V)
“Refuse”
means all putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes, except body
wastes, and includes but is not limited to garbage, rubbish, ashes,
dead animals, abandoned automobiles, and solid industrial and mercantile
wastes.
(W)
“Residential
dwelling unit” or “dwelling unit” means a group
of rooms located within a building and forming a single, habitable
unit with facilities that are used or are intended to be used for
living, sleeping, cooking and eating. A rooming house, single-family
residence converted into rental units with common kitchen and bathroom
facilities and attached single-family residences shall be considered
a single residential dwelling unit for purposes of this code.
(X)
“Residential”
or “residence” means any house, dwelling, multifamily
dwelling, apartment house or any building put to residential use or
containing one or more residential dwelling units.
(Y)
“Rubbish”
means nonputrescible solid wastes, except ashes, and consists of both
combustible and noncombustible wastes, such as paper, metal containers,
wood, glass, bedding, crockery and similar materials.
(Z)
“Solid
waste” means ashes, garbage, refuse and rubbish and municipal
waste as heretofore defined.
(AA)
“White
goods” means all major appliances, such as washers, dryers,
refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, hot water tanks, and
trash compactors and other items of similar weight, material, size
and nature.
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
(A)
All
solid wastes generated by or accumulated at a residence in the City
of Meadville shall be collected by the city contractor for disposal
in accordance with the city contract.
(B)
Exceptions.
Exceptions to the mandatory use of the city contractor for solid waste
collection include the following:
(1)
Multifamily dwellings within a single structure, containing four
or more dwelling units.
(2)
Buildings and facilities used for commercial, industrial and institutional
uses, including but not limited to uses such as schools, colleges
including dormitories, hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities,
manufacturing facilities, retail sales facilities, professional offices
and governmental facilities.
(3)
Buildings located in the central business zoning district which contain
both commercial and residential uses.
(C)
Persons
generating solid waste may contract with private haulers to collect
materials which are not collected under the city contract.
(D)
Generators
of solid waste or owners of real estate may contract with private
haulers for the collection of any refuse which is in excess of the
quantity permitted under the city contract.
(E)
All
solid wastes accumulated within the city as a result of commercial,
mercantile or industrial usage of real estate and improvements thereupon
located within the corporate boundaries of the city shall be collected,
conveyed and disposed of by the owner of either the real estate upon
which said waste was generated or by the owner of the real estate
upon which said solid waste was accumulated, by collectors or haulers
of such owner’s choice.
(F)
Persons
responsible for the collection and disposal of solid waste from commercial
or industrial property may contract with the city for collection and
disposal of such solid wastes from the commercial or industrial property,
provided:
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
The following items or materials shall not be placed for collection
or put in containers set out for collection:
(A)
Hazardous
waste.
(B)
Flammable
liquids.
(C)
Explosives
or fireworks.
(D)
Radioactive
material.
(E)
Infectious
or toxic household waste.
(F)
Ammunition.
(G)
Paints
or varnishes.
(H)
Photo
chemicals.
(I)
Insecticides.
(J)
Weed
killers.
(K)
Pool/spa
chemicals.
(L)
Propane
tanks.
(M)
Oxygen
tanks.
(N)
Solvents.
(O)
Lead
acid batteries.
(P)
Vehicle
oil and fluids.
(Q)
Vehicle
tires.
(R)
Televisions.
(S)
Computers,
computer printers, and computer components.
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
(A)
All
residences required to use the city contractor for collection services
shall put the solid waste in carts provided by the city or bags to
which is attached a tag purchased from the city, for collection.
(B)
Each
residence will be provided with a cart to be used for recyclable collection.
The cart shall be specifically identified by color designated by the
city and other means of identification. This cart shall be used for
collection of recyclables.
(C)
Each
residence will be provided with a separate cart; either a 35-gallon,
64-gallon or 95-gallon cart as determined by the owner, which shall
be specifically identified by color designated by the city and other
means of identification. This cart shall be used for collection of
acceptable solid waste and refuse.
(D)
An
owner may choose to not acquire a cart for collection of solid waste
or refuse for a particular residence in which case the owner shall
acquire tags from the city administrator, the treasurer’s office,
police dispatch or online at the city’s website, www.cityofmeadville.org, for application to bags which shall be used for collection of acceptable
solid waste and refuse. If a cart is not used, all refuse and solid
waste must be placed in a bag with a tag and set out for collection.
(E)
Owners
of premises may change the size of the refuse collection container
or change from bags to cart for refuse collection in accordance with
the policy and procedure and upon payment of fees adapted from time
to time by resolution of city council. Owners of new residences, or
vacated residences without cart refuse service, shall be given the
choice of cart size at no charge at the time of their initial occupation
of the residence. Further cart size requests will require payment
of a cart exchange fee, which will be a minimum of $25.00, and which
will be adjusted by the city on an annual basis as part of its general
fee ordinance.
(F)
All
bags shall be securely fastened at the top, watertight, leak proof
and in good condition. All carts shall be maintained in a clean and
sanitary condition.
(G)
Bags
shall not have a capacity greater than 32 gallons or weigh more than
25 pounds.
(H)
Carts
filled with refuse shall not weigh more than 60 pounds for each 35
gallons of capacity and shall be loaded so that the cover or lid fits
on top of the waste in the container.
(I)
Carts
are owned by the city and are city property. The carts delivered to
each residence shall be identified as the cart or carts to be used
for services at that location and remain with the residence for use
by current and successive owners, and current and successive residents
of the premises.
(J)
Damage
to carts shall be reported to the city contractor or city administrator
so that the carts can be repaired or replaced as necessary.
(K)
Owners
of residences provided with carts by the city for refuse or recycling
collection shall be liable for all carts lost, destroyed or damaged,
except when the loss or damage has been caused by the city contractor
or by persons over whom and under circumstances where the owner had
no control.
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
(A)
All
solid waste, yard waste and recyclables shall be placed for collection
at curbside as follows:
(1)
If the property abutting the street is reasonably level, the carts
or bags shall be placed on the owner’s driveway or yard area
adjacent to the street within eight feet of the curb or street.
(2)
If the property abutting the street is sloped at a grade making placement
of a cart difficult, a cart may be placed at the nearest reasonably
level area.
(B)
Where
extraordinary circumstances exist, as determined by the city, the
city shall make arrangements with the owner of the property and the
city contractor for a suitable location which shall be designated
and used.
[Ord. 3776 § 1, 2019]
(A)
Solid
waste, yard waste and recyclables shall be set out for collection
on the day of the week for which collection is scheduled. Notice regarding
the collection schedule shall be provided by the city.
(B)
Carts
and bags may not be placed at the curb for collection before 12:00
p.m. (prevailing time) of the scheduled day for collection, and must
be removed from the curb and stored within 24 hours after collection.
For the purposes of this subsection, “stored” means placed
and kept while not at the curb for collection either (a) behind the
front wall of the house or building (including porches) the carts
serve; or (b) within three feet of the front of the house or building
(including porches) the carts serve and screened from view of the
abutting public right-of-way by an opaque fence, wall or hedge to
a height of at least the height of the refuse cart; or (c) inside
of an enclosed structure. In the event that the city, through its
designated agent and upon request by an affected property owner, determines
that compliance with the cart storage criteria is impossible or unduly
burdensome due to specific structural or topographic issues, such
requirement can be waived in the city’s sole discretion with
respect to such specific property.
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
(A)
Between
April 1st and November 30th, yard waste may be placed for collection
on days scheduled for such collection, which collection shall occur
every other week, as designated by the city, on refuse collection
day.
(B)
Curbside
collection of falling leaves from trees will be provided in the fall
of each year in accordance with a schedule established by the city
and subject to the rules and regulations adopted by the city.
(C)
Yard
waste may include plant materials from yards or gardens, such as leaves,
branches, brush, flowers, roots and wood waste, but shall not include
loose soil, grass clippings, garbage, food waste, plastic or synthetic
fibers, lumber, wood or tree limbs over four inches in diameter or
four feet in length or fecal matter.
(D)
Yard
waste must be placed in biodegradable paper bags approved by the city
and available from the city or designated retail outlets. These bags
placed at the curb for collection shall not exceed 40 pounds.
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
(A)
Large
items and bulk items shall be collected on the days scheduled for
refuse collection at an additional cost to owner. White goods will
be collected on a day scheduled by the city and collected by the city.
(B)
Residents
may purchase tags for large items which do not exceed 25 pounds in
weight. Tags will be available for purchase from the city. Each individual
large item shall be considered one unit and the equivalent of one
tagged bag of garbage. The contractor shall collect all such tagged
units from the structures serviced.
(C)
Residents
may purchase tags for bulk items and white goods from the city. Bulk
items and white goods shall not be placed for collection on the curbside
as to interfere with the collection of carts or any street right-of-way.
(D)
Tags
for bulk items, white goods, large items and bagged garbage will all
have an appearance and cost different from each other.
(E)
Under
extraordinary circumstances, residents may make special arrangements
with the city and city contractor for collection at other times.
[Ord. 3734 § 1, 2015; Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
(A)
Recyclables
shall be collected on a periodic schedule to be determined by the
city from all premises mandated to use the refuse collection services
of the city contractor on the same day scheduled for refuse collection.
Owners will be notified of the schedule.
(B)
All
persons in the City of Meadville shall separate recyclables from the
solid waste; place recyclables in the cart designated for recyclable
collection, and place the recyclables cart out for collection on the
day for scheduled collection.
(C)
Only
the materials defined and officially designated as recyclable materials
shall be placed for collection or put in the recyclables cart for
collection. Materials and items which are and are not recyclable shall
be identified and described in a policy adopted from time to time
by resolution of city council and notice of this policy shall be delivered
to each customer.
(D)
(1)
Persons must separate recyclables as designated in the refuse and
recyclable collection contract in effect from other municipal waste
generated at their homes, apartments and other residential establishments
and to store such materials until collection.
(2)
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to impair the ownership of
separated materials by the person who generated them unless and until
such materials are placed at curbside or similar location for collection
by the city or its agents.
(3)
Persons must separate leaf waste from other municipal waste generated
at their homes, apartments and other residential establishments until
collection unless those persons have otherwise provided for the composting
of leaf waste. Such composting shall include mulching and similar
activities.
(4)
Owners of multifamily rental housing properties with four or more
units may comply with its responsibilities under this section by establishing
a collection system for recyclable materials at each property. The
collection system must include suitable containers for collecting
and sorting materials, easily accessible locations for the containers
and written instructions to the occupants concerning the use and availability
of the collection system. Owners who comply with this act shall not
be liable for the noncompliance of occupants of their buildings.
(E)
(1)
Persons must separate high grade office paper, aluminum, corrugated
paper and leaf waste and other materials deemed appropriate by the
city generated at commercial, municipal or institutional establishments
and from community activities and to store the material until collection.
(2)
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to impair the ownership of
separated materials by the person who generated them unless and until
such materials are placed at curbside or similar location for collection
by the city or its agents.
(3)
Persons occupying commercial, institutional and municipal establishments
shall be exempt from the requirements of this section if those persons
have otherwise provided for the recycling of materials they are required
by this section to recycle. To be eligible for an exemption under
this subsection, a commercial or institutional solid waste generator
must annually provide written documentation to the municipality of
the total number of tons recycled.
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3734 § 2, 2015]
It shall be unlawful for any owner or other responsible person
to:
(A)
Fail
to comply with the regulations set forth in this article for the handling,
collection, storage and disposal of refuse, solid waste and recyclable
materials.
(B)
To
dispose of solid waste refuse and recyclables except in conformity
with the regulations of this article.
(C)
To
place solid waste or refuse or recyclables out for collection except
in the designated and permitted containers.
(D)
For
any person to transport any refuse off a premises or onto or across
a public right-of-way except by a licensed and permitted hauler in
an authorized vehicle. This would not include transportation of recyclables
as defined herein to an approved recycling facility.
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
The regulations set forth in this article shall be administered
and enforced by a city official or officials designated by the city
manager. For purposes of this article, the person so designated shall
be referred to as “refuse and recycling administrator”
or “administrator.”
[Ord. 3776 § 2, 2019; Ord. 3782 § 4, 2019; Ord. 3784 §
4, 2020; Ord. 3794 § 4, 2021]
(A)
An
annual solid waste collection and disposal fee for each residential
dwelling unit shall be collected from the owner of each parcel of
real estate within the city upon which one or more residential dwelling
units are located. The director of public works shall determine the
number of residential dwelling units existing upon each such parcel.
Said fees shall be paid in equal monthly installments. Said fees shall
be paid to and collected by the Meadville area water authority. Accounts
shall be considered delinquent if not paid on or before the due date
shown on each billing. Premises serviced by accounts with bills which
are delinquent 60 days or more are subject to termination of services
(shut-off). Unless the entire balance due and owing together with
a service charge of $4.00 per unit for each month or part of month
by which such payment is late is paid within seven days of the date
of mailing of notice from the billing agent, service may be terminated.
Service shall be resumed after any termination only upon repayment
of the bill and all accumulated service charges plus an additional
service resumption fee of $15.00. Said fees shall be assessed as follows:
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
(A)
Any
person who is not acting in compliance with the requirements of this
article as determined by the administrator shall be given a written
notice by hand delivery, or regular mail, at the last known or readily
ascertainable address, of the violation and action required to avoid
further enforcement proceedings. If corrective action is not taken
in a timely manner, the administrator, with the approval of the city
manager, may institute enforcement proceedings in the district magistrate
court or in any other court of law for a penalty or such other legal
relief as proper and available at law.
(B)
For
purposes of this article, persons responsible for compliance with
these regulations shall include the owners of record of the premises
subject to the regulations, as well as all other persons in possession
of the subject premises, including but not limited to tenants or managers.
[Ord. 3711 § 1, 2012]
Any owner as defined herein who shall violate any provisions
of this article shall, upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction,
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be subject to a fine of not
more than $1,000 and costs of prosecution or, in default of payment
of such fines and costs, to undergo imprisonment for a period not
to exceed 30 days. Each day a violation continues shall constitute
a separate violation and shall be deemed a separate offense.
