[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Township of North Brunswick 3-15-2010 by Ord. No. 10-04.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Solid waste — See Ch. 184.
Hazardous materials — See Ch. 191.
Littering — See Ch. 216.
Abandoned refrigerators — See Ch. 262.
Refuse — See Ch. 411.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 258, Recycling, adopted 9-8-1987; amended in its entirety 4-7-2008 by Ord. No. 08-08.
[Amended 5-21-2012 by Ord. No. 12-09]
The title of this chapter shall read as follows: "An Ordinance Establishing a Program for the Separation of Used Newspapers, Papers, Clean Corrugated Cardboard, Glass, Aluminum Cans, Steel Cans, Plastic Containers, Mixed Paper, Textiles, Brush, Used Motor Oil, White Goods and Light Iron, Heavy Iron, Nonferrous Scrap and Other Aluminum Scrap from Solid Waste and Rechargeable Batteries for Recycling Purposes and Promulgating Rules and Regulations Therefor and Prescribing Penalties for the Violation Thereof."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALUMINUM
Includes all recyclable aluminum cans.
BRUSH
Branches, woody plants and other like vegetative materials that do not exceed four inches in diameter and Christmas trees. "Brush" does not include leaves, grass clippings. Bundles should be no more than 40 pounds and should be cut in to a maximum length of four feet.
CLEAN CORRUGATED CARDBOARD (i.e., NONFOOD CONTAINERS)
Nonfood containers constructed of two pieces of paper with a corrugated center, i.e., appliance boxes, etc. The term does not include cardboard items made of chipboard, such as shirt boxes, shoe boxes, milk cartons, cereal boxes and all other similarly constructed items.
ELECTRONICS
Televisions, CPUs, monitors, laptops and mercury-containing devices.
FLUORESCENT BULBS
Lamps that contain mercury.
GLASS
Includes all products made from silica or sand, soda ash and limestone, the product being transparent or translucent and being used for packaging or bottling of various matter, and all other materials commonly known as "glass," excluding, however, blue and flat glass, commonly known as "window glass."
HEAVY IRON
All ferrous scrap, structural steel or cast-iron components.
LEAVES
Seasonal vegetative residue generated by deciduous trees mainly during the autumn months and during early spring in normal growth cycles.
MASONRY/PAVING MATERIALS
Asphalt, block, brick, cinder and concrete.
MIXED PAPER
High-grade office paper, computer paper printout, computer tabular cards, white ledger, glossy inserts, magazines, junk mail, colored paper, note paper, telephone books, computer paper, paperboard (chipboard and pressboard), nonmetallic wrapping paper, soft-cover books, hardcover books with covers removed, and fine paper.
NONFERROUS AND OTHER ALUMINUM SCRAP
All noncontainer aluminum, stainless steel, copper, zinc, brass and other metals which generally do not rust.
PLASTIC CONTAINERS
Soda bottles made of PETE (SPI Code No. 1) and milk, water and laundry products and bottles made of HDPE (SPI Code No. 2), but shall exclude products containing, or at one time had contained, household hazardous waste(s).
PLASTIC FILM
Stretch/shrink wrap, plastic shopping bags (only for warehouses, retail establishments and supermarkets with 25 or more employees).
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
Nickel cadmium, (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion) and small-sealed lead (Pb).
SOLID WASTE
Includes all garbage, rubbish and waste matter usually disposed of and normally placed at curbside by residents and commercial occupants in the Township of North Brunswick for usual collection at regular intervals by the Township garbage collection vehicles or private collection haulers.
STEEL CANS
Tin-plated, bimetal and other ferrous food and beverage containers.
TEXTILES
Clean, dry clothing or fabric measuring at least one foot by one foot in size.
TIRES
Rubber-based scrap automotive, truck and equipment tires.
USED MOTOR OIL
A petroleum-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.
USED NEWSPAPER
Newspaper, clean, unsoiled, bundled and securely tied with a string, in stacks no higher than 12 inches. Anything that comes with the newspaper is recyclable with the newspaper.
WHITE GOODS and LIGHT IRON
All appliances such as washers, dryers, ranges, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc., as well as products made from sheet iron, such as shelving, file cabinets, metal desks and other nonstructural ferrous scrap. NOTE: CFC refrigerants must be completely removed from appliances by licensed technicians. CFC refrigerants so recovered shall be sent to an EPA-approved reclamation facility.
WOOD SCRAP
Unfinished lumber from new construction projects, including pallets. "Unfinished" shall mean nonchemically treated (not pressure-treated, impregnated with preservatives, insecticides, fungicides, creosote or other chemicals, and not painted, resin-coated or otherwise surface treated, and not laminated or bonded and not similarly altered from its natural condition). Only for new construction sites.
[Amended 5-21-2012 by Ord. No. 12-09]
There is hereby established a program for the mandatory separation and collection of certain waste materials, as specified herein, in the Township of North Brunswick for recycling purposes. For this purpose, effective August 1, 1987, it shall be mandatory for all residents, owners, lessees or occupants of residential and nonresidential structures located within the Township of North Brunswick to separate used newspaper, used paper, clean corrugated cardboard, glass, aluminum, leaves, steel cans, plastic containers, mixed paper, textiles, brush, used motor oil, white goods and light iron, heavy iron, nonferrous and other scrap aluminum and electronics.
A. 
Residential separation. It shall be mandatory for all residential premises within the Township of North Brunswick to separate from all other solid waste used newspaper, glass, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastic containers, mixed paper (as defined hereinabove), brush, clean corrugated cardboard, used motor oil, white goods and light iron, heavy iron, nonferrous and other scrap aluminum, leaves and consumer electronics for recycling purposes. All residential premises receiving curbside collection services from the Township of North Brunswick shall conform to the following separation procedures for disposition of materials separated for recycling purposes.
[Amended 3-21-2016 by Ord. No. 16-03]
(1) 
Newspaper shall be clean, unsoiled, bundled and securely tied with a string, in stacks no higher than 12 inches. Anything that comes with the newspaper is recyclable with the newspaper. Bundles may not exceed 30 pounds.
(2) 
Glass, aluminum cans, steel cans and plastic containers shall be thoroughly rinsed and contained in a reusable bucket or container. Buckets or containers may not exceed 30 pounds.
(3) 
Mixed paper/high-grade office paper, such as computer paper printout, computer tabular cards, white ledger, glossy inserts, magazines, junk mail, colored paper, office paper, telephone books, computer paper, paperboard (chipboard and pressboard), nonmetallic wrapping paper, softcover books, hardcover books with covers removed and fine paper, shall be bundle tied or placed in a cardboard box with a secured lid or placed into a taped brown paper bag. Bundles, boxes or bags may not exceed 30 pounds.
(4) 
Leaves as defined in § 258-2 shall be placed in the biodegradable bags for curbside pickup, according to published schedules. Each biodegradable bag shall not weigh more than 40 pounds.
(5) 
Brush/branches as defined in § 258-2 may not exceed four inches in diameter individually. Residents must bundle tie branches prior to collection. Brush bundles may not exceed four feet in length or 18 inches in height and must weigh no more than 40 pounds. Residents are limited to no more than eight bundles per curbside pickup. Residents must call the Department of Public Works to schedule a collection appointment.
(6) 
Clean corrugated cardboard (i.e., nonfood containers) shall be bundled separately and secured in bundles not exceeding 30 pounds in weight and shall not be contained in plastic bags.
(7) 
Used motor oil must be placed in a plastic container with a screw-on cap. Plastic soda bottles are prohibited. Residents must call DPW to schedule an appointment.
(8) 
Tires. Rubber-based scrap automotive tires without rims will be collected limited to four per collection. Residents must call DPW to schedule an appointment. No heavy-truck or equipment-type tires will be accepted.
(9) 
White goods and light iron and heavy iron and nonferrous and other aluminum scrap will be collected by prescheduled appointment. NOTE: CFC refrigerant compounds shall be completely removed by licensed technicians from any device or appliance that contains them. CFC compounds so recovered shall be sent to an EPA-approved reclamation facility.
B. 
Designated recycling locations. The following items shall be separated from the residential solid waste stream but are not included in the North Brunswick Township Recycling Program Residential Collection Services. The following items and materials shall be recycled by the resident(s) individually, not through the Township recycling program residential collection services. Residents may call the Township of North Brunswick Department of Public Works for Current dropoff locations and information regarding these items and materials.
(1) 
Textiles, which must be placed into a tied twenty- or thirty-gallon plastic bag.
(2) 
Masonry and paving materials comprising asphalt, block, brick, cinder and concrete.
(3) 
Electronics, as defined in § 258-2.
(a) 
Residential curbside collection service has been terminated for televisions, consumer computer equipment, CPUs, monitors, laptops, keyboards and other electronics. The Township of North Brunswick will sponsor periodic dropoff events for residents to recycle consumer electronics. Access to the dropoff event shall be limited to North Brunswick residents. Prior to the recycling transaction participants must provide proof of residency with name and address.
(b) 
Electronic recyclables must be protected from moisture prior to arrival at the dropoff event site. Materials will be inspected for contamination prior to acceptance. Materials deemed unacceptable shall be removed from the site by the resident.
(c) 
Information regarding additional residential e-waste recycling dropoff locations and schedules may be obtained by contacting the North Brunswick Department of Public Works during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.
(4) 
Rechargeable batteries; nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydrides (Ni-MH, lithium ion (Li-ion) and small-sealed lead (Pb) common batteries. Batteries may be dropped off at DPW, North Brunswick Municipal Complex, at 710 Hermann Road and the North Brunswick Municipal Library. Prior to dropoff, rechargeable batteries must be individually bagged or each battery terminal insulated with tape. Batteries not so prepared will not be accepted. NOTE: Alkaline batteries have been rated as nonhazardous by USEPA and may be disposed of in regular household solid waste.
C. 
Nonresidential separation (commercial, office and industrial premises). The following materials shall be separated from the solid waste at all commercial, office, and industrial facilities. The recyclable materials shall not be collected mixed into the regular solid waste/refuse accumulation. Nonresidential locations as listed above will not be provided with pickup service by the Township.
(1) 
Clean corrugated cardboard (i.e., nonfood containers) shall be separated and secured in bundles, bins or containers and protected from detrimental impact of wind and precipitation until collection.
(2) 
Containers consisting of glass containers, aluminum cans, steel cans and plastic containers (i.e., soda, milk, water, and laundry containers as defined in § 258-2) in establishments such as taverns and restaurants shall be thoroughly rinsed and stored in a reusable bucket or container. Storage buckets and/or designated containers labeled for recycling purposes must be shielded from detrimental impact of wind and precipitation until collection.
(3) 
Mixed paper. High-grade office paper, computer paper, computer printout, computer tabular cards, white ledger, glossy inserts, magazines, junk mail, colored paper, telephone books, paperboard (chipboard and pressboard), nonmetallic wrapping paper, soft-cover books, hardcover books with covers removed and fine paper shall be securely contained in designated recycling containers labeled for that purpose. Said containers must be located in such manner so as to be shielded from detrimental impact of wind and precipitation.
(4) 
Textiles must be placed into a tied twenty- or thirty-gallon plastic bag.
(5) 
Brush, branches and all other parts of trees that are to be removed from a commercial premises must be recycled at a facility certified to process such materials.
(6) 
Used motor oil must be safely stored on premises until removed by a licensed hauler or safely transported to a facility certified to store motor oil for recycling. Said recycling procedures must fully comply with all federal, state and local codes rules and regulations governing such activities.
(7) 
White goods and light iron and heavy iron and nonferrous and other aluminum scrap. NOTE: Prior to arranging for recycling, CFC refrigerant compounds shall have been completely removed by licensed technicians from any device or appliance that contains them. CFC compounds so recovered shall be sent to an EPA-approved reclamation facility.
(8) 
Newspaper shall be clean, unsoiled, securely stored in designated recycling containers labeled for that purpose. Said containers must be located in such manner so as to be shielded from detrimental impact of wind and precipitation or contamination. Anything that comes with the newspaper is recyclable with the newspaper.
(9) 
Electronics, including televisions, CPUs, monitors, laptops and mercury-containing devices.
(10) 
Rechargable batteries; nickel cadmium, (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion) and common small-sealed lead (Pb) batteries.
(11) 
Tires. Rubber-based scrap automotive, truck and equipment tires must be stored indoors or in such manner that will not provide harborage for pests of any kind.
(12) 
Fluorescent bulbs and lamps that contain mercury.
(13) 
Plastic film, including stretch/shrink wrap, plastic shopping bags (only for warehouses, retail establishments and supermarkets with 25 or more employees).
(14) 
Masonry and paving materials comprising asphalt, block, brick, cinder and concrete.
(15) 
Wood scrap, unfinished lumber from new construction projects, and wood shipping pallets (as defined hereinabove).
(16) 
Grass and leaves as defined in § 258-2.
D. 
Institutional premises (educational facilities, hospitals, including county, state and federal institutional facilities). These locations will not be provided with pickup service by the Township.
(1) 
Clean corrugated cardboard (i.e., nonfood containers) shall be separated and secured in bundles, bins or containers and protected from detrimental impact of wind and precipitation until collection.
(2) 
Comingled containers consisting of glass containers, aluminum cans, steel cans and plastic containers (i.e., soda, milk, water, and laundry containers as defined in § 258-2) shall be thoroughly rinsed and stored in a reusable bucket or container. Storage buckets and/or designated containers labeled for recycling purposes must be shielded from detrimental impact of wind and precipitation until collection.
(3) 
Mixed paper. High-grade office paper, computer paper, computer printout, computer tabular cards, white ledger, glossy inserts, magazines, junk mail, colored paper, telephone books, paperboard (chipboard and pressboard), nonmetallic wrapping paper, soft-cover books, hardcover books with covers removed and fine paper shall be securely contained in designated recycling containers labeled for that purpose. Said containers must be located in such manner so as to be shielded from detrimental impact of wind and precipitation until collection.
(4) 
Textiles must be placed into a tied twenty- or thirty-gallon plastic bag.
(5) 
Branches and all other parts of trees that are to be removed from commercial premises must be recycled at a facility certified to process such materials.
(6) 
Used motor oil must be safely stored on premises until removed by a licensed hauler or safely transported to a facility certified to store motor oil for recycling. Said recycling procedures must fully comply with all federal, state and local codes, rules and regulations governing such activities.
(7) 
White goods and light iron and heavy iron and nonferrous and other aluminum scrap. NOTE: Prior to arranging for recycling, CFC refrigerant compounds shall have been completely removed by licensed technicians from any device or appliance that contains them. CFC compounds so recovered shall be sent to an EPA-approved reclamation facility.
(8) 
Newspaper shall be clean, unsoiled, securely stored in designated recycling containers labeled for that purpose. Said containers must be located in such manner so as to be shielded from detrimental impact of wind and precipitation or contamination until collection. Anything that comes with the newspaper is recyclable with the newspaper.
(9) 
Electronics, including televisions, CPUs, monitors, laptops and mercury-containing devices.
(10) 
Rechargable batteries; nickel cadmium, (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion) and common small-sealed lead (Pb) batteries.
(11) 
Tires. Rubber-based scrap automotive, truck and equipment tires must be stored indoors or in such manner that will not provide harborage for pests of any kind.
(12) 
Fluorescent bulbs and lamps that contain mercury.
(13) 
Plastic film, including stretch/shrink wrap, plastic shopping bags (only for warehouses, retail establishments and supermarkets with 25 or more employees).
(14) 
Masonry and paving materials comprising asphalt, block, brick, cinder and concrete.
(15) 
Wood scrap, unfinished lumber from new construction projects, and wood shipping pallets (as defined hereinabove in § 258-2).
(16) 
Grass and leaves as defined in § 258-2.
E. 
Residential centralized storage and containment locations for recycling. Multifamily complexes, such as condominiums, townhomes and apartments, with large-capacity, centralized solid waste collection containers shall provide and maintain separate centralized container locations for the purposes of source separation of Mandated Residential Recyclable Materials from the municipal solid waste stream.
(1) 
Containers so provided for the storage of recyclable materials shall be compatible with municipally provided container collection equipment.
(2) 
Centralized recycling collection locations shall be designed to provide storage containment of recyclable materials that is protected from accumulation of water, snow or ice. The enclosure and containment must prevent the degradation or migration of recyclable materials from weather related impacts, and shall prevent accumulation of rain, snow or ice within the container load space.
(3) 
Each container must be clearly labeled to designate the material to be deposited within.
(4) 
Secure locations must be provided for the separation, containment and storage of recyclable white goods, appliances and various scrap metals as defined in § 258-2.
(5) 
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner, homeowners' association, or their designated property management service to maintain service access to the containment storage facilities.
(6) 
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner, homeowners' association, or their designated property management service to ensure residential compliance with solid waste and recycling mandates. It shall be the responsibility of the same to provide for the correction of any condition not in compliance with solid waste or recycling regulations including removal and disposal of all unacceptable or contaminating materials.
A. 
Any application to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of North Brunswick for subdivision or site plan approval for the construction of condominiums, townhouses or multifamily dwellings of three or more units, single-family or two-family housing unit 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 shall contain other attributes (signage, lighting, fencing, etc.) as may be determined by the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.
B. 
At the time of issuance of any building permit, the building code official will provide written instruction on proper disposal and recycling of construction and demolition waste and shall furnish a notification of construction/demolition activity form that must be filled out by the permittee and faxed to the Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management ("MCDSWM") within 48 hours of the issuance of a municipal permit.
C. 
Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the Township of North Brunswick, the owner of any new multifamily housing or commercial, institutional or industrial development must supply a copy of a duly executed contract with a hauling company for the purposes of collection and recycling of source-separated recyclable materials in those instances where the Township does not otherwise provide such service. The Township's standards are as follows:
(1) 
A roofed and walled enclosure with rollout containers sized as a maximum of four cubic yards each. All containers must be constructed, sized and maintained to provide no hindrance for reasonable collection effort; and
(2) 
Enclosure gates and ramps to street level must be constructed and maintained to provide no hindrance to collection personnel.
D. 
Provision shall be made for the indoor or enclosed outdoor storage and pickup of solid waste; same to be approved by the Municipal Engineer.
The Department of Public Works is hereby authorized and directed to establish and promulgate regulations as to the manner, days and times of such collections and the bundling, handling, location and time of placement of all materials for collection and to establish and maintain dropoff points for materials to be recycled.
This chapter shall not prohibit or restrict any owner, any lessee or any occupant of a premises from making arrangements or agreements for private collection of recyclable materials, provided that the receiving person, firm or corporation may not collect said material from curbside or any public street.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, firm or corporation unauthorized by the Township of North Brunswick to collect or remove or cause to be collected or removed any recyclables. Each such collection in violation hereof from any one or more sources shall constitute a separate and distinct offense punishable as hereinafter provided.
The penalty for violations or negligence in complying with the provisions of this chapter or the regulations promulgated hereunder shall be by a fine not to exceed $2,000.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Director of the Department of Public Works or his/her designee and/or the Police Department of the Township of North Brunswick.
A. 
The Township shall develop and implement a comprehensive public information/educational campaign that describes the municipal recycling program generally, which campaign shall be aimed at all age groups, and may utilize such tools as public speaker presentations, posters and flyers.
B. 
Notices.
(1) 
North Brunswick shall notify all residents of the designated recyclables that must be source separated, the schedule for collection and the manner in which the designated recyclables are to be prepared for collection. Such notices shall be posted or published, at a minimum, not less than twice yearly and may include one of the following forms of notice:
(a) 
An advertisement in a newspaper circulating in the municipality.
(b) 
A posted notice in public places where public notices are customarily posted.
(c) 
Inclusion of a notice with other official notifications periodically mailed to residents, such as, for example, tax notices.
(2) 
North Brunswick shall pay the costs and expenses associated with the preparation, posting, advertisement and distribution of all such notices.
C. 
Additional literature.
(1) 
North Brunswick may prepare and distribute additional literature and other educational materials describing, among other things:
(a) 
The municipal recycling program established pursuant to the Recycling Ordinance.
(b) 
The county-wide recycling program and the recycling services to be provided within the geographic boundaries of the municipality.
(c) 
The designated recyclables to be source separated.
(d) 
The manner or method of preparing source-separated material for collection.
(e) 
The location and schedules for collection.
(2) 
All such literature and other educational materials shall be prepared in accordance with written guidelines established by Middlesex County.