[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702[1]]
This chapter shall be known and referred to as the "Solid Waste Ordinance."
[Editor's Note: Resolution 12 of 1970, passed 4-6-1970, appointed the Allegheny County Planning Commission to prepare a County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan with a portion pertaining to the Municipality's needs, as required by the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act. Resolution 88-058, passed 7-5-1988, approved the original County Plan. The 1990 County Plan, adopted pursuant to the requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 was approved by Resolution 90-066, passed 8-6-1990. The County Plan is updated periodically.]
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
(a) ACT or ACT 97 AGRICULTURAL WASTE BULKY WASTE COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE DEPARTMENT DISPOSAL DOMESTIC WASTE or HOUSEHOLD WASTE GARBAGE HAULER or PRIVATE COLLECTOR HAZARDOUS WASTE INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT INSTITUTIONAL ESTABLISHMENT MUNICIPAL WASTE MUNICIPALITY PERSON PROCESSING RECYCLING REFUSE RESIDUAL WASTE RUBBISH SCAVENGING SEWAGE TREATMENT RESIDUES SOLID WASTE STORAGE TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION STATION
The following words and phrases as used in this chapter shall have the meaning ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
The Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act of 1980 (P.L. 380, No. 97, July 7, 1980).[1]
Poultry and livestock manure or residual materials in liquid or solid form, generated in the production, and marketing of poultry, livestock, fur-bearing animals and their products, provided such waste is not a hazardous waste. The term includes the residual materials generated in producing, harvesting, and marketing of all agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and agricultural crops or commodities grown on what are usually recognized and excepted as farms, forests, or other agricultural lands.
Large items of solid waste including but not limited to appliances, furniture, large auto parts, trees, branches or stumps which may require special handling due to their size, shape, or weight.
Any establishment engaged in nonmanufacturing or nonprocessing business, including, but not limited to, stores, markets, office buildings, restaurants, shopping centers and theaters.
All municipal and residual waste building materials, grubbing waste, and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair and demolition operations on houses, commercial buildings and other structures and pavements.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.
The incineration, deposition, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of solid waste into or on the land or water in a manner that the solid waste or a constituent of the solid waste enters the environment, is emitted into the air or is discharged to the waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Solid waste, comprised of garbage and rubbish, which normally originates in the residential private household or apartment house.
Any solid waste derived from animal, grain, fruit, or vegetable matter that is capable of being decomposed by microorganisms with sufficient rapidity to cause such nuisances as odors, gases, or vectors.
Any person, firm, partnership, association or corporation who has been licensed by the Municipality or its designated representative to collect, transport, and dispose of refuse for a fee as herein prescribed.
Any solid waste or combination of solid waste, as defined in the Act, which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may: (1) cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in morbidity in either an individual or the total population; or (2) pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed.
Any establishment engaged in manufacturing or processing, including, but not limited to, factories, foundries, mills, processing plants, refineries, mines and slaughterhouses.
Any establishment engaged in service, including, but not limited to, hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, schools and universities.
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 under Act 97 from a municipal, commercial or institutional water supply treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, or air pollution control facility.
The Municipality of Penn Hills, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, institution, cooperative enterprise, municipal authority, federal government or agency, state institution and agency, or any other legal entity which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. In any provisions of this chapter prescribing a fine, imprisonment or penalty, or any combination of the foregoing, the term "person" shall include the officers and directors of any corporation or other legal entity having officers and directors.
Any technology used for the purpose of reducing the volume of bulk of municipal or residual waste or any technology used to convert part or all of such waste materials for off-site reuse. Processing facilities include, but are not limited to, transfer facilities, composting facilities, and resource recovery facilities.
The collection, separation, recovery, and sale or reuse of metals, glass, paper, leaf waste, plastics and other materials which would otherwise be disposed or processed as municipal waste or the mechanized separation and treatment of municipal waste (other than through combustion) and creation and recovery of reusable materials.
All solid waste materials which are discarded as useless.
Any garbage, refuse, other discarded material or other waste including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous materials resulting from industrial, mining and agricultural operations and any sludge from an industrial, mining or agricultural water supply treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility or air pollution control facility, provided that it is not hazardous. The term residual waste shall not include coal refuse as defined in the "Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act."[2] Residual waste shall not include treatment sludges from coal mine drainage treatment plants, disposal of which is being carried on pursuant to and in compliance with a valid permit issued pursuant to the Clean Streams Law.[3]
All nonputrescible municipal waste except garbage and other decomposable matter. This category includes, but is not limited to, ashes, bedding, cardboard, cans, crockery, glass, paper, wood and yard cleanings.
The unauthorized and uncontrolled removal of material placed for collection or from a solid waste processing or disposal facility.
Any coarse screenings, grit and dewatered or air-dried sludges from sewage treatment plants and pumpings from septic tanks or septage which are a municipal solid waste and require proper disposal under Act 97.
Any waste, including, but not limited to, municipal, residual or hazardous wastes, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material.
The containment of any waste on a temporary basis in such a manner as not to constitute disposal of such waste. It shall be presumed that the containment of any waste in excess of one year constitutes disposal. This presumption can be overcome by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
The off-site removal of any solid waste at any time after generation.
Any supplemental transportation facility used as an adjunct to solid waste route collection vehicles.
(b)
In this chapter, the singular shall include the plural and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to accumulate or permit to accumulate upon any public or private property within the Municipality, any garbage, rubbish, bulky waste, or any other municipal or residual solid waste except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, any Department rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Act 97 and the Health Department Rules and Regulations, Article VIII.
(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to burn any solid waste within the Municipality except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, any Department rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Act 97 and the Health Department Rules and Regulations, Article VIII.
(c)
It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of any solid waste in the Municipality except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, any Department rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Act 97 and the Health Department Rules and Regulations, Article VIII.
(d)
It shall be unlawful for any person to haul, transport, collect, or remove any solid waste from public or private property within the Municipality without first securing a license to do so in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(e)
It shall be unlawful for any person to scavenge any materials from any solid waste that is stored or deposited for collection within the Municipality without prior approval by the Municipality.
(f)
It shall be unlawful for any person to salvage or reclaim any solid wastes within the Municipality except at an approved and permitted resource recovery facility under Act 97 and any Department rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Act 97.
(g)
It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, place or deposit, or cause or permit to be throw, placed or deposited any solid waste in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, body of water, public or private property within the Municipality except as provided in this chapter.
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
(a)
The storage of all solid waste shall be practiced so as to prevent the attraction, harborage or breeding of insects or rodents, and to eliminate conditions harmful to public health or which create safety hazards, odors, unsightliness or public nuisances.
(b)
Any person producing municipal waste shall provide a sufficient number of approved containers to store all waste materials generated during periods between regularly scheduled collections and shall place and store all waste materials therein.
(c)
Any person storing municipal waste for collection shall comply with the following preparation standards:
(1)
All municipal waste shall be drained of free liquids before being placed in storage containers.
(2)
All garbage or other putrescible waste shall be securely wrapped in paper, plastic or similar material or placed in properly tied plastic bags.
(3)
All clear, brown, and green glass containers, and jars are to be placed out as solid waste.
(4)
All plastic jugs, jars, and containers 1 and 2, HDPE and PET must be recycled, not placed out as solid waste.
(5)
Magazines and newspapers, unless recycled, are to be securely tied or placed in a closed container.
(6)
When specified by the Municipality or its designated representative, special preparation and storage procedures may be required to facilitate the collection and resource recovery of certain waste materials.
(d)
All municipal waste shall be stored in containers approved by the Municipality or its designated representative. Individual containers and bulk containers utilized for storage of municipal waste shall comply with the following standards:
(1)
Reusable containers shall be constructed of durable, watertight, rust and corrosion resistant material, such as plastic, metal or fiberglass, in such a manner as to be leak-proof, weather-proof, insect-proof, and rodent-proof.
(2)
Reusable containers for individual residences shall have a tight-fitting cover and suitable lifting handles to facilitate collection.
(3)
Reusable containers for individual residences shall have a capacity of not more than 32 gallons and a loaded weight of not more than 50 pounds unless the automated collection of garbage and recycling carts is being utilized.
Disposable plastic bags or sacks are acceptable containers provided the bags are designated for waste disposal. Plastic bags shall have sufficient wall strength to maintain physical integrity when lifted by the top, shall be securely tied at the top for collection, and shall have a capacity of not more than 30 gallons and a loaded weight of not more than 35 pounds. A total of 10 items can be placed out for collection.
(4)
All containers, either reusable or disposable shall also comply with the minimum standards established by the National Sanitation Foundation.
(e)
Any person storing municipal waste for collection shall comply with the following storage standards:
(1)
Containers shall be kept tightly sealed or covered at all times. Solid waste shall not protrude or extend above the top of the container.
(2)
Reusable containers shall be kept in a sanitary condition at all times. The interior of the containers shall be thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, drained and disinfected, as often as necessary, to prevent accumulation of liquid residues or solids on the bottom or sides of containers.
(3)
Containers shall be used and maintained so as to prevent public nuisances.
(4)
Containers that do not conform to the standards of this chapter or which have sharp edges, ragged edges or any other defect that may hamper or injure collection personnel shall be promptly replaced by the owner upon notice from the Municipality or its designated representative.
(5)
Containers shall be placed by the owner or customer at a collection point specified by the Municipality or its designated representative.
(6)
With the exception of pick up days when the containers are placed out for collection, the containers shall be properly stored on the owner or customer premises at all times.
(7)
Bulk waste items such as furniture, automobile parts, machinery, appliances, and tires shall be stored in a manner that will prevent the accumulation or collection of water, the harborage of rodents, safety hazards and fire hazards.
(f)
The storage of all municipal waste from multifamily residential units, commercial establishments, institutions and industrial lunchroom or office waste sources is subject to the regulations and standards set forth in this chapter. The type, size and placement requirements for bulk containers shall be determined by the waste generator and waste hauler and are subject to approval by the Municipality.
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
(a)
The Municipality shall provide for the collection of all garbage, rubbish, and bulky wastes from individual residences and multifamily residential sources with two or less units, or it may contract with a private collector or collectors to provide this essential residential collection service.
(b)
All households and homeowners shall utilize the residential collection service provided by the Municipality unless they can demonstrate that they have made alternative arrangements that are consistent with this chapter and approved by the Municipality.
(c)
All multifamily residential sources (with three or more units), commercial, institutional, and industrial establishments shall negotiate and individually contract collection service with the Municipality's collector or any other properly licensed waste hauler of their choice.
(d)
All residential garbage and rubbish shall be collected at least once a week. Bulky wastes shall be collected following prior arrangement with the Municipality's collector and payment of any required special fees.
(e)
All commercial, institutional, public and industrial lunchroom and office waste containing garbage shall be collected at least once a week. Rubbish collection from these sources shall be made as often as necessary to control health hazards, odors, flies, and unsightly conditions. The Municipality reserves the right to require more frequent collection when deemed necessary.
(f)
Residential collection schedules shall be published regularly by the Municipality or its contracted hauler on social media and digital platforms.
(g)
All solid waste collection activity shall be conducted from Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. or on Saturdays between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., unless prior approval of any exception has been granted by the Municipality. No collection, hauling, or transporting of solid waste shall be permitted on Sunday.
(h)
All licensed haulers and haulers under contract with the Municipality shall comply with the following standards and regulations:
(1)
All municipal waste collected within the Municipality shall be conveyed by the hauler to a transfer station, processing facility, or disposal site designated and approved by the Allegheny County Health Department and ultimately be disposed of only at a landfill cited in the Allegheny County Solid Waste Plan, 1990, or subsequent revisions thereto.
(2)
Any trucks or other vehicles used for the collection and transportation of municipal waste must comply with the requirements of Act 97, and any Department regulations adopted pursuant to Act 97 and must be licensed by the Allegheny County Health Department.
(3)
All collection vehicles conveying domestic waste and garbage shall be watertight and suitably enclosed to prevent leakage, roadside littering, attraction of vectors, the creation of odors and other nuisances.
(4)
Collection vehicles for rubbish and other nonputrescible solid waste shall be capable of being enclosed of covered to prevent roadside litter and nuisances.
(5)
All solid waste shall be collected and transported so as to prevent public health hazards, safety and other nuisances.
(6)
All solid waste collection vehicles shall be operated and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
(a)
The governing body of the Municipality shall be authorized to make funds available, in accordance with procedures of the Municipality, of a municipal solid waste collection and disposal system, or for the contracting of such service to a private collector.
(b)
Annual fee schedules, if appropriate, shall be published by the Municipality based on any competitively bid residential collection service contract that may be awarded by the Municipality.
(c)
The Municipality shall be responsible for the collection of any fees for solid waste collection and disposal from residential customers in buildings of two or fewer units. Licensed haulers shall be responsible for the collection of any collection and disposal fees from commercial, institutional, industrial customers and multifamily of three or more units.
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
(a)
All appeals shall be made in writing to the governing body of the Municipality, together with a filing fee of $100.
(b)
Pending a reversal or modification, all decisions of the Municipality shall remain effective and enforceable.
(c)
Appeals may be made by the following persons:
(1)
Any person who is aggrieved by a new standard or regulation issued by the Municipality may appeal within 10 days after the Municipality gives notice of its intention to issue the new standard or regulation.
(d)
The notice of appeal shall be served in writing and sent by certified mail with return receipt requested. Within 20 days after receipt of the notice of appeal, the Municipality shall hold a public hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be sent to both parties in time to adequately prepare for the hearing. Notice shall be sent to the parties by certified mail with return receipt requested at the last known address in addition to publication in the local newspaper.
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
The Municipality may petition the court for an injunction, either mandatory or prohibitive, to enforce any provisions of this chapter.
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $2,000, plus cleanup costs or in default of payment of such fine, then by imprisonment for a period of not more than 30 days, or both. Each day of violation shall be considered a separate and distinct offense.
[6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-2702]
In the event that any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of such ordinance shall not be invalidated by such action.