The Town Board of the Town of Colonie finds
that the removal of recyclable and reusable materials from the waste
stream will promote the health, safety and welfare of persons and
property in the Town of Colonie by minimizing the potential adverse
effects of landfilling, by reducing the need for landfills and conserving
the space in existing landfills, such as the Town of Colonie sanitary
landfill; by aiding in the conservation of valuable resources, materials
and energy; and by allowing for more efficient and safe management
of each of the component materials contained within the solid waste
stream. Further, source separation and segregation of recyclable and
reusable materials is an integral component of the Town of Colonie's
solid waste management plan and the New York State Solid Waste Management
Act of 1988.
All solid waste or recyclables shall be prepared
for collection or disposal as delineated in Subsections A through
G of this section.
A. All recyclables such as cans, bottles and other containers
shall be clean of contents with all contaminants, such as lids, caps
and tabs, removed.
B. All recyclables, such as newspapers and cardboard,
which are adversely affected by wet weather shall be kept dry to the
extent reasonably possible.
C. Different types of recyclables shall be separated
from each other and from other types of solid waste.
D. Each solid waste generator shall place all solid waste
and recyclables in suitable sanitary containers such as galvanized
iron cans and metal dumpsters, except residents shall place all recyclables
in a standardized recycling container, which container is described
in detail in the regulations promulgated hereunder by the Town Board
of the Town of Colonie. An additional recycling container may be utilized
in conjunction with the standardized container to assist the resident
in maintaining proper separation of the recyclables and to help ensure
the quality of the recyclables.
E. Solid waste or recyclables which do not fit into bags,
cans, dumpsters or similar containers may be left outside such containers
only if they will not attract pests, create a health risk or be a
general nuisance for children. Preparation of such items to be deposited
in the Town of Colonie Sanitary Landfill shall be as described in
the rules promulgated hereunder.
F. Plastic bags may be used for the containment of solid
waste if they are kept safe from animals and similar pests. All plastic
bags used for this purpose shall be translucent so the contents therein
are readily indentifiable.
G. Yard waste, as defined by the regulations promulgated
hereunder, shall be placed in a rigid container appropriately marked
with a Town of Colonie recyclables sticker or shall be placed in a
compostable paper bag. Larger yard waste such as sticks and brush
may be bundled as delineated in the regulations promulgated hereunder.
Nothing herein shall preclude a yard waste generator from composting
such wastes in a fashion protective of public health and so as not
to create a nuisance, including offensive odors.
Any solid waste hauler duly licensed in the
Town of Colonie shall be precluded from collecting solid waste from
any solid waste generator who has clearly failed to source-separate
recyclables.
The Town Board of the Town of Colonie may promulgate,
amend and repeal rules and regulations implementing this article so
as to carry out and enforce the intent and purposes thereof.
[Amended 11-20-1997 by L.L. No. 9-1997]
The enforcement of this article and any rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder will be the responsibility
of the Town of Colonie Police Department, Department of Public Works
and such other persons as may be, from time to time, authorized by
the Town Board of the Town of Colonie.