The purpose of this article is to establish and enforce a comprehensive municipal recycling program that promotes environmental sustainability, conserves natural resources, and complies with the requirements of § 287.11, Wis. Stats., and Ch. NR 544, Wis. Adm. Code. This program is intended to encourage the reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting of solid waste in the Town of Grand Chute.
This article is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing local, state, or federal laws, regulations, or permits, unless such regulations are in direct conflict. Where this article imposes higher standards or more stringent requirements, the provisions of this article shall apply.
The provisions of this article shall be interpreted as minimum requirements and shall be construed in favor of promoting sustainable waste management. In the event of a conflict between this article and other regulations, the more restrictive or protective standard shall apply. Where interpretation is required and a provision is unclear, reference shall be made to the corresponding state statutes or administrative code in effect on the date of adoption or amendment of this article.
This article applies to all persons, entities, dwellings, businesses, institutions, and organizations located within the geographic boundaries of the Town of Grand Chute, including but not limited to residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental properties.
This article shall be administered and enforced by authorized Town of Grand Chute personnel, as designated by the Town Board. The designee is authorized to issue rules, develop procedures, enter into contracts, and take enforcement actions necessary to implement the provisions of this article and the Town's recycling program.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below. Terms not defined herein shall be interpreted consistent with their definitions under Wisconsin Statutes or the Wisconsin Administrative Code, as applicable:
A beverage container made primarily from a combination of steel and aluminum, typically used for carbonated or malt beverages.
Corrugated paperboard used in the manufacture of shipping containers and similar products.
Plastic containers labeled with the SPI Code No. 2.
Plastic containers labeled with the SPI Code No. 4.
Periodicals and similar publications printed on glossy paper, excluding bound books.
Any large residential or commercial device used for heating, cooling, cooking, washing, or refrigeration. This includes, but is not limited to: air conditioners, clothes dryers and washers, dishwashers, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, and microwave ovens.
Plastic containers labeled with the SPI Code No. 7, indicating resins other than codes No. 1 through No. 6 or a mixture of resins.
A property containing five or more residential units, including buildings used for seasonal occupancy.
Publications or other printed materials made primarily of newsprint.
Any commercial, retail, industrial, institutional, or governmental facility or property not used as a primary residence.
High-grade printing and writing paper generated in nonresidential settings, such as white ledger paper and computer printouts. Does not include industrial process waste or lower-grade paper.
Plastic containers labeled with the SPI Code No. 1, commonly used for soda bottles and similar packaging.
Solid waste generated by end users after a product has served its intended purpose. Does not include manufacturing process waste, hazardous waste as defined in § 291.01(7), Wis. Stats., construction or demolition waste, scrap vehicles, or high-volume industrial waste as defined in § 289.01(17), Wis. Stats.
Plastic containers labeled with the SPI Code No. 5.
Plastic containers labeled with the SPI Code No. 6.
Plastic containers labeled with the SPI Code No. 3.
Materials designated for recycling under this article and as defined by state law, including: lead acid batteries; major appliances; waste oil; yard waste; aluminum containers; corrugated paper or other container board; foam polystyrene packaging; glass containers; magazines; newspapers; office paper; plastic containers made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and SPI Code No. 7 mixed resins; steel containers; waste tires; and bimetal containers.
Any garbage, refuse, sludge, and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material, as defined in § 289.01(33), Wis. Stats. (e.g., household trash, discarded furnishings, and post-consumer materials).
As defined in § 289.01(35), Wis. Stats. Any site, location, or facility used for treating, storing, or disposing of solid waste.
Any method, process, or technique designed to alter the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of solid waste, including incineration.
A Town-designated location where residents may bring specified materials for drop-off and disposal or recycling, as permitted by Town ordinance.
A tire that can no longer be used for its original purpose due to wear, damage, or defect.
Organic waste materials generated from landscaping and yard maintenance, including leaves, grass clippings, garden debris, and brush, including woody material no larger than six inches in diameter. Excludes stumps, roots, and shrubs with intact root balls.
All occupants of single-family residences, two- to four-family residences, multiple-family dwellings, and nonresidential properties within the Town of Grand Chute shall separate the following recyclable materials from post-consumer waste:
A.
Lead acid batteries.
B.
Major appliances.
C.
Waste oil.
D.
Yard waste.
E.
Aluminum containers.
F.
Bimetal containers.
G.
Corrugated paper or other container board.
H.
Foam polystyrene packaging.
I.
Glass containers.
J.
Magazines and similar printed material.
K.
Newspaper and newsprint-based material.
L.
Office paper.
M.
Rigid plastic containers labeled with SPI codes No. 1 through No. 7 (PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and mixed resins).
N.
Steel containers.
O.
Waste tires.
The separation requirements of § 520-20 do not apply under the following circumstances:
A.
When waste is collected and processed by a facility licensed by the Department of Natural Resources that recovers the materials specified in § 520-20 in as pure a form as technically feasible.
B.
When waste is used as a supplemental fuel at a facility where less than 30% of the total heat input is derived from solid waste.
C.
When a variance or exemption has been granted by the Department of Natural Resources under § 287.07(7)(d) or § 287.11(2m), Wis. Stats., or § NR 544.14, Wis. Adm. Code, for a particular recyclable material.
Recyclable materials separated in compliance with § 520-20 shall be rinsed and free of food residue, oils, grease, or other contaminants to the greatest extent practicable. Recyclable materials shall be stored in a clean and orderly manner that prevents contamination and protects the materials from wind, rain, snow, or other inclement weather.
Occupants of single-family residences, two- to four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings, and nonresidential properties shall manage the following materials as specified below:
A.
Lead acid batteries shall be returned to a retailer, manufacturer, or other collection facility authorized to accept such batteries in compliance with state and federal regulations.
B.
Major appliances shall be taken to the Town's designated transfer site or collected through a scheduled special pickup service. Appliances shall be free of food, personal items, and, where applicable, any refrigerants or other hazardous materials, in accordance with federal law. Pickup fees may apply as outlined in the Town's current refuse and recycling contract.
C.
Waste oil shall be delivered to a licensed waste oil collection site or hazardous waste facility that is authorized to accept residential motor oil.
D.
Yard waste shall be transported to the Town's transfer site or other authorized composting facility. Yard waste disposal shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations governing the operation of the receiving facility.
Occupants of single-family and two- to four-unit residences shall prepare recyclable materials, whether placed for collection or brought to a designated transfer site, in accordance with the following standards, unless otherwise directed by the Town:
A.
Aluminum containers shall be emptied, cleaned, and free of food residue.
B.
Bimetal containers shall be rinsed and cleaned.
C.
Corrugated paper or other container board shall be flattened, free of food contamination, and not bundled.
D.
Foam polystyrene packaging shall be clean, dry, and free of food residue or labels.
E.
Glass containers shall be rinsed, with lids, caps, and contaminants removed.
F.
Magazines and similar printed material shall be dry, free of contaminants, and not bundled.
G.
Newspaper and newsprint-based material shall be clean, dry, and not bundled.
H.
Office paper shall be clean and not bundled.
I.
Plastic containers (SPI Codes No. 1 through No. 7). PETE (No. 1) and HDPE (No. 2) shall be clean, dry and shall not be bagged. Containers made of PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and mixed resins (No. 3-No. 7) shall be rinsed, dry, have caps removed, and shall not be bagged. Containers that previously held hazardous substances shall not be recycled through the municipal system.
J.
Steel containers shall be rinsed and free of labels or food waste.
K.
Waste tires shall not be brought to the designated transfer site. They shall be taken to an authorized tire recycling or disposal facility.
A.
Owners or designated agents of multiple-family dwellings shall do all of the following to ensure the proper separation, collection, and recycling of materials listed in § 520-20:
(1)
Provide sufficient and clearly labeled containers to allow occupants to separate recyclable materials from solid waste.
(2)
Inform tenants in writing, at the commencement of occupancy and at least semiannually thereafter, of the Town's recycling requirements, the types of materials collected, and proper preparation procedures.
(3)
Arrange for the regular collection of separated recyclable materials and ensure their delivery to an appropriate recycling processing facility.
(4)
Provide tenants with current information on the benefits of waste reduction and recycling, including materials accepted, preparation guidelines, collection schedules or drop-off locations, and a contact person or service provider with a name, address and telephone number.
A.
Owners or designated agents of nonresidential properties shall do all of the following to ensure the separation, collection, and proper recycling of materials listed in § 520-20:
(1)
Provide sufficient and clearly labeled containers to allow occupants to separate recyclable materials from solid waste.
(2)
Inform tenants in writing, at the commencement of occupancy and at least semiannually thereafter, of the Town's recycling requirements, the types of materials collected, and proper preparation procedures.
(3)
Arrange for the regular collection of separated recyclable materials and ensure their delivery to an appropriate recycling processing facility.
(4)
Provide tenants with current information on the benefits of waste reduction and recycling, including materials accepted, preparation guidelines, collection schedules or drop-off locations, and a contact person or service provider with a name, address, and telephone number.
A.
Any hauler collecting solid waste or recyclable materials within the Town of Grand Chute shall obtain and maintain all required municipal, county, and state permits, licenses, and approvals prior to operating within the Town.
B.
The hauler or the Town may reject or leave at the curb any recyclable materials that are not prepared in accordance with this article, including materials that are commingled with solid waste, improperly sorted, or placed in the wrong container. The hauler or the Town may also refuse to collect any solid waste that contains recyclable materials required to be separated under this article. When materials are rejected, the hauler or Town shall leave a written or electronic notice to the generator explaining the reason for rejection.
C.
Haulers and processors operating within the Town are required to maintain records of all recyclable and solid waste materials collected. At least once annually, each hauler or processor shall submit a written report to the Town Clerk or their designee. This report shall include, at a minimum, the quantity and types of recyclable and solid waste materials collected from the Town during the reporting period. Failure to provide such a report may result in the revocation of a license or termination of any agreement between the hauler/processor and the Town.
D.
Haulers may not dispose in a landfill or incinerate any recyclable materials collected from within the Town, except as permitted under applicable law.
The Town of Grand Chute reserves the right, in accordance with state law and regulations, to designate additional materials as recyclable or to remove materials from the list of required recyclables. The Town may also revise the collection requirements or services provided in response to changes in technology, regulation, or market conditions. Notice of such changes shall be provided in writing to its service recipients.
A.
Any person, business, property owner, or responsible party who violates any provision of this article shall be subject to penalties set forth in the Town of Grand Chute's Uniform Forfeiture and Bond Schedules. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.
B.
Citations issued for violation of this section may be issued by authorized Town of Grand Chute personnel, as designated by the Town Board. Each violation shall be cumulative within a calendar year.