[Adopted by Ord. No. 10-19 (Ch. 8.36 of the 2000 Code)]
A. 
There is established for all occupants and owners of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional establishments located within the Township of Raritan a program for the mandatory separation of designated recyclable materials, effective as of the date of the article and in accordance with said article and the rules and regulations issued by the Township Committee.
B. 
All residents, citizens, persons and owners, and commercial, industrial and institutional entities that own, occupy or use property in the Township shall separate designated recyclable materials from all other solid waste products in such premises and shall either contract for the removal and disposition of recyclable materials as set forth in this article with a private contractor or deliver such recyclable materials to the Public Works Center of the Township located on Pennsylvania Avenue at the times and in the manner as established in this article and the authorized rules and regulations.
C. 
Upon delivery of the designated recyclable materials to the Public Works Center of the Township, such items shall become the property of the Township or its authorized agent. It shall be a violation of this article for any person not authorized by the Township to collect or pick up or cause to be collected or picked up any designated recyclable materials. Any and each such collection in violation hereof from one or more residences shall constitute a separate distinct offense punishable as hereinafter provided.
D. 
No recyclable that is being collected as part of the Township recycling program may be donated or sold to or received by any person, partnership or corporation (whether operating for profit or not for profit) unless the person, partnership or corporation has first received written authorization from the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
E. 
All commercial, industrial and institutional entities shall be permitted to recycle the designated recyclable materials directly with an appropriate recycling center or other facility as may be designated by the State of New Jersey, only after first registering for such direct disposal with the Township Superintendent of Public Works and upon the condition that the entity shall provide to the Township Superintendent of Public Works or Recycling Coordinator, on a monthly basis, a certified statement of disposal and copies of the weight slips on all materials recycled in the previous month.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COUNTY
The implementing agency for the Hunterdon County Solid Waste Management Plan, the Hunterdon County Utilities Authority.
DESIGNATED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Those materials designated within the Hunterdon County District Solid Waste Management Plan to be source-separated for the purpose of recycling. These materials include:
A. 
Designated recyclable materials for the generators of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional waste:
(1) 
CORRUGATEDContainers and similar paper items usually used to transport supplies, equipment parts or other merchandise.
(2) 
MIXED OFFICE AND COMPUTER PAPERAny and all types of office-type paper including, but not limited to, computer paper, high-grade white paper, typing paper, copier paper, onion-skin, tissue paper, notepad, envelopes, manila folders and colored paper, or any mix thereof.
(3) 
NEWSPAPERAll paper marketed as newsprint or newspaper and containing at least 70% newsprint or newspaper (American Forest and Paper Association Grade Nos. 6, 7 and 8 news).
(4) 
OTHER PAPER/MAGAZINES/JUNK MAILAll paper which is not defined as corrugated, mixed office paper, computer paper or newspaper.
(5) 
GLASS CONTAINERSAll glass containers used for packaging food or beverages.
(6) 
ALUMINUM CANSFood and beverage containers made entirely of aluminum.
(7) 
STEEL CANSRigid containers made exclusively or primarily of steel or tin-plated steel and steel and aluminum cans used to store food, beverages, and a variety of other household and consumer products.
(8) 
PLASTIC CONTAINERSContainers including polyethylene terephthalate (PETE No. 1) soda bottles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE No. 2) milk, water or detergent bottles.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
B. 
Additional designated recyclable materials for the generators of commercial, industrial and institutional waste:
(1) 
WHITE GOODS and LIGHT IRONAll appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, etc., as well as products made from sheet iron, such as shelving, file cabinets, metal desks, recycled or reconditioned steel drums and other nonstructural ferrous scrap.
(2) 
ANTIFREEZEAll automotive engine coolant consisting of a mixture of ethylene glycol and water or propylene glycol and water.
(3) 
BATTERIES, LEAD-ACIDBatteries from automobiles, trucks, other vehicles and machinery and equipment. This does not include consumer batteries.
(4) 
USED MOTOR OILPetroleum-based or synthetic oil which, through use, storage or handling, has become unsuitable for its original purpose due to the presence of impurities or loss of original properties.
(5) 
TIRESRubber-based scrap automotive, truck or specialty (e.g., forklift) tires. The tires must be recycled at a facility approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
C. 
Designated recycle materials from generators of residential waste that are collected by Hunterdon County:
(1) 
ANTIFREEZEAll automotive engine coolant consisting of a mixture of ethylene glycol and water or propylene glycol and water.
(2) 
BATTERIES, LEAD-ACIDBatteries from automobiles, trucks, other vehicles and machinery and equipment. This does not include consumer batteries.
(3) 
USED MOTOR OILPetroleum-based or synthetic oil which, through use, storage or handling, has become unsuitable for its original purpose due to the presence of impurities or loss of original properties.
(4) 
BATTERIES, HOUSEHOLDAny type of button, coin, cylindrical, rectangular or other shaped enclosed device or sealed container which was utilized as an energy source for commercial, industrial, medical, institutional or house-hold use. This does not include lead acid batteries from vehicles.
(5) 
MERCURY-CONTAINING DEVICESFluorescent and compact florescent tubes (CFTs), high intensity discharge (HID) and neon lamps, electrical switches, thermostats and any batteries containing mercury.
(6) 
PETROLEUM-CONTAMINATED SOILNonhazardous soils containing petroleum hydrocarbons resulting from spills, leaks or leaking underground storage tanks used for gasoline or any other commercial fuel and which are recycled in accordance with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26A-1.1 et seq. NOTE: This material can be recycled at Class B facilities (for example, authorized asphalt manufacturers).
MUNICIPAL RECYCLING COORDINATOR
The person or person appointed by the Mayor of the Township of Raritan and who shall be authorized to, among other things, enforce the provisions of this article and any rules and regulations which may be promulgated hereunder.
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE (MSW) STREAM
All solid waste generated at residential, commercial, and institutional establishments within the boundaries of the Township of Raritan.
NONRESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Commercial, industrial and institutional establishments that operate or conduct any business or operations which cannot be included within the definitions of residential dwellings or residential dwelling complex.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Those materials which would otherwise become solid waste and which may be collected, separated, or processed and returned to the economic mainstream in the form of raw materials or products.
RESIDENTIAL DWELLING
Any building or structure or complex of buildings in which fewer than three dwelling units are owner-occupied or rented or leased, or offered for rental or lease, for residential purposes (see N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.13a).
RESIDENTIAL DWELLING COMPLEX
Any building or structure or complex of buildings in which three or more dwelling units are owner-occupied or rented or leased, or offered for rental or lease, for residential purposes (see N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.13a) and shall include hotels, motels, or other guest houses serving transient or seasonal guests as those terms are defined under Subsection (j) of Section 3 of the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law,[1] P.L. 1967, c. 76 (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.).
SOURCE-SEPARATED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Recyclable materials which are separated at the point of generation by the generator thereof from solid waste for the purposes of recycling.
SOURCE SEPARATION
The process by which recyclable materials are separated at the point of generation by the generator thereof from solid waste for the purposes of recycling.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 55:13A-3(j).
A. 
In order to carry out the requirements of the New Jersey Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act ("Act")[1] and the Hunterdon County District Solid Waste Management Plan ("plan"), the position of Municipal Recycling Coordinator is hereby established, who shall be responsible for compliance with said Act, plan and applicable Township regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.11 to 13:1E-99.32.
B. 
The Municipal Recycling Coordinator will be appointed annually by the Mayor and will serve a term of one year. The Mayor will annually affirm, in writing, the name of the person holding the position of Township Recycling Coordinator, and the Township Committee will set the amount of salary for the position.
C. 
The Municipal Recycling Coordinator will report to the Township Committee and Township Clerk at least once annually on the status of the municipal recycling program, and shall from time to time advise and make recommendations as to how the requirements set forth in this article may be effectuated. The Municipal Recycling Coordinator shall report, at a minimum, the following:
(1) 
Tonnages that have been recycled by the municipal recycling program since the last report;
(2) 
Any additional materials that can reasonably be considered to be recycled as part of the municipal recycling program;
(3) 
The impact that the municipal recycling program has had upon the amount of solid waste generated within the Township;
(4) 
Report on financial or technical assistance that is available to the municipal recycling program; and
(5) 
Recommend revisions of the rules and regulations of the municipal recycling program as developed by the Township Committee.
D. 
The Municipal Recycling Coordinator will attend all Municipal Recycling Coordinator meetings that the Township Committee deems to be important. This includes meetings that may be conducted by the state, the county or other appropriate organizations.
E. 
The Municipal Recycling Coordinator shall promote the municipal recycling program by educating citizens, businesses, institutions, and organizations of the need to participate in the municipal recycling program and shall explain to citizens, businesses, institutions and organizations the provisions of this article and assist in the enforcement thereof.
A. 
It shall be mandatory for all persons who are owners, tenants, or occupants of residential and nonresidential premises, which shall include but not be limited to retail and other commercial locations, as well as government, schools and other institutional locations within the Township of Raritan, to separate designated recyclable materials from all solid waste. Designated recyclable materials shall be deposited separate and apart from other solid waste generated by the owners or occupants of such premises and shall be placed separately at the curb in a manner and on such days and times as may be hereinafter established by regulations promulgated by the Township Public Works Department.
B. 
Unless the Township Public Works Center located on Pennsylvania Avenue as described in § 382-5 is being utilized for the disposal of designated recyclable materials, every owner and/or occupant of residential or nonresidential premises must contract for the removal and disposition of recyclable materials as set forth in this article with a private contractor. Residential recycling contracts must comply with the provisions of this article and must further provide for not less than monthly pickup.
C. 
In the event that a Township, county or state facility accepts mandatory recyclable material as set forth in this article, then the residential and/or nonresidential owner or occupant may utilize such facility, to the extent permitted by the owner or operator of such facility.
A. 
The occupant(s) and owner(s) of any residential property shall be responsible for compliance with this article. For multifamily units, the management or owner is responsible for setting up and maintaining a recycling system, including collection of recyclable materials, in accordance with guidelines or regulations established by the Township Department of Public Works. Violations and penalty notices will be directed to the occupant. In instances where the violator is not easily identifiable, violations and penalty notices will be directed to the owner/management. The owner/management shall issue notification and collection rules to occupants when they arrive and at least twice annually during their occupancy.
B. 
Failure of occupant(s) and/or owner(s) of any residential property to abide by the rules and regulations of this section may be fined not less than $50 nor more than $250 for each month of noncompliance. Prior to taking enforcement action pursuant to this section, the Municipal Recycling Coordinator or other enforcement officer shall issue one warning to any occupant which is in violation of this article, which warning shall include educational information regarding proper procedures for recycling.
A. 
The occupant(s) and owner(s) of any residential property shall be responsible for compliance with this article. The owner of each residential complex is responsible for providing a recycling depot for the entire complex. The depot shall be equipped with owner- or contractor-supplied receptacles for each category of designated recyclable material.
B. 
Failure of an occupant within a residential complex to comply with the requirements of this article may be fined not less than $50 nor more than $250 for each month of noncompliance.
C. 
The owner/management shall issue notification and collection rules to new tenants when they arrive and at least twice annually during their occupancy.
D. 
The owner of each residential complex shall report to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator by February 15 of each year the recycling activity of the prior year. The report shall include the amount of recycled material-by-material type and the vendor or vendors providing recycling service. The information must be supplied to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator and directed to the attention of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator by name and address. The county must also be copied on this information.
E. 
Prior to taking enforcement action pursuant to this section, the Municipal Recycling Coordinator or other enforcement officer shall issue one warning to the owner which is in violation of this section. The warning shall include educational information regarding proper procedures for recycling including instruction as to how the owner can reasonably provide adequate recycling facilities to ensure compliance with this article. After the initial warning, the Municipal Recycling Coordinator or other enforcement officer may issue a summons returnable in the Municipal Court. Each and every day that the violation continues after the initial warning shall be considered a separate and specific violation of this article.
A. 
"Commercial, industrial and institutional establishments" are defined as all entities which operate or conduct any business whatsoever which cannot be included within the definitions of a residential dwelling or complex.
B. 
All commercial, industrial and institutional generators of solid waste shall be required to comply with the provisions of this article.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
C. 
Unless the property owner provides for the collection of designated recyclable materials, arrangement for collection of designated recyclables shall be the responsibility of the commercial, institutional or industrial occupant. All commercial, institutional or industrial property owners which provide outdoor litter receptacles and disposal service for their contents shall also provide receptacles for designated recyclable materials for those materials commonly deposited, in the location of the litter receptacle, and shall provide for separate recycling service for their contents.
D. 
Unless the property owner provides for the collection of designated recyclable materials, every occupant of a commercial, industrial or institutional facility or their designee (including solid waste and recycling transporters) shall cooperate in communicating recycling activity. Such communication shall include reporting to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator by February 15 of each year the occupant's recycling activity of the prior year. The report shall include the amount of recycled material-by-material type and the vendor or vendors providing recycling service. The information must be supplied to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator and directed to the attention of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator by name and address. The county must also be copied on this information.
E. 
If the property owner provides recycling collection services for the occupants of the property, the owner or their designee (including solid waste and recycling transporters) shall cooperate in communicating recycling activity. Such communication shall include reporting to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator by February 15 of each year the recycling activity on the property in the prior year. The report shall include the amount of recycled material-by-material type and the vendor or vendors providing recycling service. The information must be supplied to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator and directed to the attention of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator by name and address. The county must also be copied on this information.
F. 
All food service establishments, as defined in the Health Code, shall, in addition to compliance with all other recycling requirements, be required to recycle grease and/or cooking oil created in the processing of food or food products and maintain such records as may be prescribed for inspection by any code enforcement officer.
G. 
Prior to taking enforcement action pursuant to this section, the Municipal Recycling Coordinator or other enforcement officer shall issue one warning to any commercial, industrial or institutional establishment which is in violation of this section, which warning shall include educational information regarding proper procedures for recycling. After the initial warning, the Municipal Recycling Coordinator or other enforcement officer may issue a summons returnable in the Municipal Court. Each and every day that the violation continues after the initial warning shall be considered a separate and specific violation of this article.
A. 
Any application to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of Raritan for subdivision or site plan approval for the construction of multifamily dwellings of three or more units, single-family developments of 50 or more units or any commercial, institutional, or industrial development for the utilization of 1,000 square feet or more of land must include a recycling plan. This plan must contain, at a minimum, the following:
(1) 
A detailed analysis of the expected composition and amounts of solid waste and recyclables generated at the proposed development; and
(2) 
Locations documented on the application's site plan that provide for convenient recycling opportunities for all owners, tenants, and occupants. The recycling area shall be of sufficient size, convenient location and contain other attributes (signage, lighting, fencing, etc.) as may be determined by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
B. 
Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the Township of Raritan, the owner of any new multifamily housing or commercial, institutional, or industrial development must supply to the Township Clerk a copy of a duly executed contract with a hauling company for the purposes of collection and recycling of source-separated recyclable materials.
C. 
Provision shall be made for the indoor, or enclosed outdoor, storage and pickup of solid waste, to be approved by the Township Engineer.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for solid waste collectors to collect solid waste that is mixed with, or contains visible signs of, designated recyclable materials. It is also unlawful for solid waste collectors to remove for disposal those bags or containers of solid waste which visibly display a warning notice sticker or some other device indicating that the load of solid waste contains designated recyclable materials.
B. 
It shall be the responsibility of the resident or occupant to properly segregate the uncollected solid waste for proper disposal or recycling. Allowing such unseparated solid waste and recyclables to accumulate will be considered a violation of this article and the Health Code.
C. 
Once placed in the location for collection, no person, other than those authorized by the Township, shall tamper with, collect, remove, or otherwise handle solid waste or designated recyclable materials.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
A. 
A minimum of once a year or when necessary to reflect program or regulatory modifications, solid waste transporters shall notify all customers:
(1) 
What materials are designated to be source-separated from solid waste and must be recycled in Hunterdon County and that these items are prohibited in solid waste.
(2) 
That discovery of designated recyclable items in solid waste may result in the waste not being collected and that the generator is subject to a monetary fine.
(3) 
That solid waste transporters are prohibited by law to collect solid waste containing mandated recyclable materials.
(4) 
That documentation of proof of solid waste and recycling collection service must be maintained and that this documentation must be made available to the property owner, Township or county upon request.
B. 
No later than February 15 of each year, all solid waste companies will provide a detailed report of all recycling activities to all commercial and institutional solid waste customers. The report will include a breakdown of the materials collected for recycling, the total weight of each material collected for recycling and the recycling market for each of the materials collected. The information must be supplied to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator and directed to the attention of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator by name and address. The county must also be copied on this information.
C. 
No later than February 15 of each year, all solid waste transporters will provide each municipality and the county with a summarization of recycling activity in the Township including totals of all residential, commercial and institutional recycling. The report will include a breakdown of the materials collected for recycling, the total weight of each material collected for recycling and the recycling market for each of the materials collected. The information must be supplied to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator and directed to the attention of the Municipal Recycling Coordinator by name and address. The county must also be copied on this information.
D. 
Failure of the solid waste transporter to comply with the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Plan, as amended, and this article shall constitute a violation and subject the solid waste transporters to those penalties as prescribed in this article and state recycling regulations.
Unless the solid waste and recycling collection services have otherwise been provided for by the Township, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:66-5.1, all residential, commercial, industrial and institutional generators of solid waste must, upon request by the Township, supply proof that solid waste and recycling collection services have been contracted by the generator. The information requested for proof of service may include provision of weight receipts or billing statements. The procedure by which the Township may request receipts or other documentation must be detailed in a process approved by the Township Committee.
[Amended 8-6-2024 by Ord. No. 24-20; 3-4-2025 by Ord. No. 25-06]
A. 
The Township of Raritan herein establishes a recycling program for all residential occupants and owners within the Township to be operated through the Department of Public Works. The Township's recycling program shall be subject to the terms of this section, along with any additional operational rules, regulations and procedures established by the Department of Public Works.
B. 
Recycling and nonrecycling permits.
(1) 
Prior to participating in the Township's recycling and/or nonrecycling program, any resident of the Township shall obtain an annual permit from the Township Department of Public Works. Annual permits are issued online and at the office of the Raritan Township Public Works Department/Recycling Center located at 204 Pennsylvania Avenue, Flemington, New Jersey.
(2) 
The fee for a recycling permit (including e-waste) is $5 for unlimited dropoffs. The fee for a nonrecycling permit is $30 for a total of six dropoffs. Raritan Township Veterans receive free permits with proper identification.
(3) 
All permits are issued on an annual basis, commencing as of January 1 of each year and terminated as of December 31.
C. 
Collection schedule.
(1) 
Collection of recyclable and nonrecyclable materials shall be by delivery to the Public Works Center of the Township of Raritan, located on Pennsylvania Avenue, which shall be open for deliveries as follows, holidays excepted:
Monday
7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday
7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday
7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
(2) 
The Township Committee reserves the right to temporarily amend the collection schedule by resolution.
D. 
Recycling and nonrecycling materials accepted.
(1) 
Recycling permit materials accepted:
(a) 
Newspapers, paper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, phone books and shredded paper.
(b) 
Cardboard and brown paper bags.
(c) 
Plastic bottles and glass containers.
(d) 
Tin cans.
(e) 
Aluminum cans.
(f) 
Metal items - steel, tin, aluminum, appliances.
[1] 
Note: Freon (refrigerant) must be removed from appliances. Propane tanks must have the valve removed (empty).
(g) 
Drain oil (used oil only).
[1] 
No drums of any type. No antifreeze or other additives.
(h) 
Tires: Car - $5 per tire; Light truck - $7 per tire.
[1] 
No tires on rims; no mud; no tractor tires.
(i) 
Leaves: Drop off from October 2 through December 29.
(j) 
Clothing donation boxes are available.
(k) 
Christmas trees: December 27 through January 31.
(l) 
Computers, laptops, monitors, televisions, personal printers and copiers.
[1] 
All other electronic devices and accessories are nonhazardous and should be disposed of in regular garbage or with the Township nonrecycling permit.
(m) 
Styrofoam.
(2) 
Nonrecycling permit materials not accepted:
(a) 
No materials contained in vehicles larger than pickup trucks.
(b) 
No concrete, rocks, or bricks of any size.
(c) 
No sheetrock or shingles.
(d) 
No hazardous materials.
(e) 
No tree stumps, grass clippings, weeds or garden debris.
[1] 
Due to strict NJDEP Guidelines, yard waste cannot be accepted.
(f) 
No construction material (lumber).
(g) 
No household garbage or trash.
(h) 
No recyclable materials.
(i) 
Tree and brush materials will require one nonrecyclable scan for each drop made.
(3) 
The Township DPW shall have the right to reject any recyclable or nonrecyclable materials at its sole discretion.
E. 
Preparation of recyclable materials.
(1) 
The following materials are required to be recycled and shall be separated by individual category:
(a) 
Corrugated cardboard.
(b) 
Aluminum cans.
(c) 
Tin cans.
(d) 
Tires.
(e) 
Used motor oil.
(f) 
Brush.
(g) 
Leaves.
(h) 
Textiles.
(i) 
Styrofoam.
(2) 
The following materials may be commingled together:
(a) 
Glass bottles and jars with plastic bottles.
(b) 
Mixed office paper with newspaper.
(c) 
Heavy iron with light iron.
(d) 
Computer towers with laptops, monitors, televisions, personal printers and copiers.
(3) 
Materials to be recycled shall be prepared in a manner as established by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Raritan Township Committee.
F. 
Compliance with the Township and County Recycling Plans. All residents of the Township of Raritan are required to comply with the Hunterdon County and Raritan Township Recycling Plans, which may be amended from time to time.
G. 
Nonmandatory recyclable materials. The following materials are not required to be recycled in the Township, but are encouraged to be recycled by the Township:
(1) 
Grass clippings and weeds.
(2) 
Food waste.
(3) 
Construction/demolition debris components resulting from the construction and/or demolition of a building or structure, both residential and commercial, including, but not limited to, brick, sheetrock, glass, wood, tree stumps, and other like material found in the demolition and/or construction industry.
A. 
Unless provided otherwise in this article, any person, corporation or entity who violates or neglects to comply with any provision of this article or any regulation promulgated hereunder shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 and/or by imprisonment for up to 30 days, and/or by a period of community service not exceeding 30 days, in the discretion of the court. Each and every day that such a violation continues shall be considered a separate and specific violation of this article.
B. 
The provisions of this article and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be enforced by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator and/or the recycling enforcement specialist of Hunterdon County and/or the Township Construction Official, and such other designated officer of the Township.
[Amended 11-18-2020 by Ord. No. 20-30]
C. 
An inspection may consist of sorting through containers and opening of solid waste bags to detect, by sound or sight, the presence of any recyclable material.
D. 
Fines levied and collected pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the municipal recycling trust fund. Monies in the municipal recycling trust fund shall be used solely for the expenses of the Township recycling program.