[HISTORY: Adopted by the Clarkson Town Board 11-20-1992 by L.L. No. 5-1992. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Appearance tickets — See Ch. 4.
Dumps and dumping — See Ch. 59.
This chapter shall be known as the "Reuse and Recycling Law."
The Town Board of the Town of Clarkson finds that:
A. 
Removal of certain materials from the solid waste stream will decrease the flow of solid waste to landfills, aid in the conservation of valuable resources and reduce the required capacity of existing and proposed resource facilities.
B. 
The New York Solid Waste Management Act of 1968 requires that municipalities adopt a local law to require that solid waste which has been left for collection or which is delivered by the generator of such waste to a solid waste management facility shall be separated in recyclable, reusable or other components for which economic markets for alternate uses exist.
This law is adopted pursuant to Chapter 541 of the Laws of 1976, as amended, and Chapter 552 of the Laws of 1980 of the State of New York, as amended, and its purpose is to:
A. 
Institute a plan for the management of recyclable material generated or originated in the Town of Clarkson to promote the safety, health and well-being of persons and property within Clarkson; and to
B. 
Implement the express policy of the State of New York encouraging solid waste reduction through recycling.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADMINISTRATOR
The Solid Waste Administrator of the Town of Clarkson, the Town Supervisor or such other officer or employee of the town who may, from time to time, be designated by the Town Board with the responsibility for the town's solid waste issues and programs.
AUTHORIZED HAULER
Any person licensed by the Town of Clarkson or who is under contract with the county to collect and transport recyclable materials generated or originated within the county.
AUTHORIZED RECYCLING FACILITY OR FACILITIES
A permitted or specifically exempt facility or facilities for processing, reprocessing and/or recycling recyclable materials specified in the regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter. This term shall exclude incineration facilities, waste-to-energy facilities and landfills.
CONTAINER
A county-provided blue box container with a county logo for recyclable materials or any other durable container for recyclable materials readily identifiable by the authorized hauler as a container for recycling materials.
COUNTY
Monroe County.
EXECUTIVE
The County Executive of Monroe County.
FACILITY
Any solid waste management-resource recovery facility employed beyond the initial solid waste collection process which is to be used, occupied or employed for or is incidental to the receiving, transporting, storage, processing or disposal of solid waste or the recovery by any means of any material or energy product or resource therefrom including recycling center, transfer stations, processing systems, resource recovery facilities, sanitary landfills, plants and facilities for composting or landspreading or solid wastes, secure land burial facilities, reprocessing and recycling facilities, surface impoundments and waste oil storage, incinerators and other solid waste disposal, reduction or conversion facilities.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
A. 
Any "hazardous waste" as defined under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., or "hazardous substance" as defined under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., or "hazardous waste" as defined under New York Environmental Conservation Law, § 27-0901 et seq., as such law may be amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and
B. 
Any other material which any governmental agency or unit having appropriate jurisdiction shall determine from time to time cannot be processed at the facility because it is harmful, toxic or dangerous.
OTHER RECOVERABLE MATERIALS
Any material, substance, by-product, compound or any other item generated or originated within the town and separated from solid waste at the point of generation for separate collection, sale, external reuse or reprocessing and/or disposition other than by disposal in landfills, sewage treatment plants or incinerators. Other recoverable materials do not include recyclable materials as defined herein.
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, association, joint venture, corporation, estate, trust, association, county, city, town, village, school district, improvement district, governmental entity or other legal entity.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Includes, but is not limited to the following:
A. 
Containers.
(1) 
ALUMINUMAluminum products and containers fabricated primarily of aluminum and commonly used for soda, beer, beverages or other food or drink products and other aluminum products.
(2) 
GLASS FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONTAINERSNew and used glass food and beverage containers which have been rinsed and are free of food contamination, including clear (flint), green and brown (amber) colored glass bottles. Glass shall not include ceramics, plate glass, auto glass, Pyrex, leaded glass, mirrored glass or flat glass.
(3) 
METAL CANSContainers fabricated primarily of steel or tin, or bimetal cans of steel, tin and/or aluminum, but not including aluminum cans.
(4) 
PLASTICSIncluding high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene and polyethylene terepthalate (PET), commonly used for soda, milk and other containers.
B. 
Paper.
(1) 
BOXBOARDWoodpulp-based material which is usually smooth on both sides with a corrugated center. Excludes material with wax coating.
(2) 
CORRUGATEDWoodpulp-based material which is usually smooth on both sides with a corrugated center. Commonly used for boxes. Excludes material with wax coating.
(3) 
HIGH GRADE PAPERWhite and colored office bond, duplicating paper, computer paper and other high-quality paper.
(4) 
MAGAZINESMagazines, glossy catalogs and other gloss paper.
(5) 
NEWSPRINTCommon, inexpensive machine-finished paper made chiefly from wood-pulp and used for newspapers. This term excludes magazines.
C. 
Other.
(1) 
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRISMaterial resulting from the construction, renovation, equipping, remodeling, repair and demolition of structures and roads; and material consisting of vegetation resulting from land clearing and grubbing, utility line maintenance and seasonal and storm-related cleanup. Such material includes, but is not limited to, bricks, concrete and other masonry materials, soil, rock, wood, wall coverings, plaster, drywall, plumbing fixtures, nonasbestos insulation, roofing shingles, asphaltic pavement, glass, plastics, electrical wiring and components, carpeting, foam padding, linoleum and metals that are incidental to any of the above.
(2) 
LARGE APPLIANCESStoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, washing machines, water heaters and other large appliances and scrap metal and excluding air conditioners, microwaves and televisions.
(3) 
WOOD WASTEIncludes logs, pallets and other wood materials.
(4) 
YARD WASTEGrass clippings, leaves, branches up to four inches in diameter and other like vegetative garden materials.
RECYCLING OR RECYCLED
Any method, technique or process utilized to separate, process, modify, convert, treat or otherwise prepare solid waste so that its component materials or substances may be beneficially used or reused as raw materials.
SOLID WASTE
All putrescible land, nonputrescible solid wastes generated or originated within the town, including but not limited to materials or substances discarded or rejected, whether as being spent, useless, worthless or in excess to the owners at the time of such discard or rejection or for any other reason, or are being accumulated, stored or physically, chemically or biologically treated prior to being discarded, have served their intended use or are a manufacturing by-product, including, but not limited to, garbage, refuse and other discarded solid materials, including solid waste materials, resulting from industrial, commercial and agricultural operations and from community activities, sludge from air or water pollution control facilities or water supply treatment facilities, rubbish, ashes, contained gaseous material, incinerator residue, demolition and construction debris and offal, but not including sewage and other highly diluted water-carried materials of substances and those in gaseous form, or hazardous waste as defined in this chapter.
SOURCE SEPARATION
The segregation of recyclable materials and other recoverable materials from solid waste at the point of generation for separate collection, sale or other disposition.
TOWN
Town of Clarkson.
WASTE STREAM REDUCTION PROGRAM
Includes source separation, recycling programs, changes to the packaging portion of the waste stream to reduce solid waste generated, the activities and enterprises of scrap dealers, processors and consumers and other program designed to reduce the volume of solid waste or enhance reclamation and recovery of solid waste or recyclable materials otherwise destined for the municipal waste stream. For purposes of this definition, such reduction programs shall not include the processing of waste for incineration or disposal by other means.
A. 
Solid waste generated or originated within the Town of Clarkson which has been left for collection or which is delivered by the generator of such waste to a facility shall be disposed of as follows:
(1) 
Prior to initial collection or transport, such solid waste shall be source-separated into recyclable, reusable or other components for which economic markets exist as provided in the Monroe County Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Regulations.
(2) 
Recyclable materials shall not be commingled with other solid waste during collection, transportation or storage following collection. The Administrator may order such exceptions as she/he determines are in the public interest.
(3) 
All recyclable materials generated or originated within the Town of Clarkson must be delivered to an authorized recycling facility or handled through a waste stream reduction program; and
(4) 
No authorized recycling facility or waste stream reduction program shall receive recyclable materials generated or originated with the Town of Clarkson, except as permitted by law.
B. 
Disposal of solid waste which is barred from all authorized recycling facilities by rules, regulations or orders promulgated pursuant to this chapter, the Monroe County Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Law or by any other law, regulation or ordinance shall not otherwise be regulated by this chapter.
C. 
No hazardous waste may be delivered to an authorized, recycling facility.
A. 
Only persons who are acting under authority of the county or an authorized hauler shall collect, pick up, remove or cause to be collected, picked up or removed, any solid waste recyclable materials so placed for collection; each such unauthorized collection, pickup or removal shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter; provided, however, that where an authorized hauler has refused to collect certain recyclable materials because they have not been separated, placed or treated in accord with the provisions of this chapter or the Monroe County Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Law, the person responsible for initially placing those materials for collection may and shall remove those materials from any curb, sidewalk or street side.
B. 
Nothing herein shall prevent any person from making arrangements for the private collection, sale or donation of recyclable materials, provided that recyclable materials to be privately collected, sold or donated shall not be placed curbside on or immediately preceding the day for collection of such recyclable materials. Any and all recyclable materials placed on a county-supplied container at curbside or at any designated collection place shall immediately become the property of the county.
A. 
All authorized haulers must either obtain a solid waste collection license from the Town of Clarkson if the town elects to enter into a licensing program or be an authorized hauler under contract with the county.
B. 
An authorized hauler sticker shall be prominently displayed on each vehicle operated by or on behalf of the authorized hauler.
C. 
Authorized hauler applications may be denied if the applicant or licensee has been adjudged or administratively determined to have committed one or more violations of this chapter during the preceding calendar year.
D. 
All authorized haulers licensed by the Town of Clarkson shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of Clarkson for any pending, threatened or actual claims, liability or expenses arising from waste disposal by the authorized hauler in violation of this chapter.
E. 
Authorized haulers shall offer collection services for all recyclable materials to all residential customers from whom they provide solid waste collection services at the same times and an the same days as services are provided to their customers for solid waste collection.
F. 
Each hauler shall develop and submit for the Town of Clarkson and county's approval a generic collection plan for collecting recyclable materials from its commercial, industrial and institutional customers, as described in the Monroe County Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Law, Article X.A.5.
G. 
Authorized haulers shall not accept for collection solid waste which has not been source-separated in conformity with the regulations promulgated under Monroe County's Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Law.
In the event that the Town of Clarkson elects to enter into a licensing program, the following regulations shall apply:
A. 
When the designated public official determines that a failure to comply with this chapter may have occurred, she/he shall recommend to the municipality that the authorized hauler application or the solid waste license be denied, suspended, revoked or its holder subjected to a reprimand or fine, or that the generator or originator of the solid waste or recyclable materials be subject to sanctions, fines or penalties as described herein. Notice and an opportunity to be heard shall be provided prior to the denial, suspension or revocation of a solid waste license or authorized hauler permit or the issuance of a sanction, fine or penalty.
B. 
Notice.
(1) 
The designated public official shall notify the affected generator, applicant or licensee of the alleged failure in writing. The notice shall include:
(a) 
A statement of the condition allegedly violated, referring to the pertinent ordinance, law, rule or regulation; and
(b) 
A short and plain statement of the alleged misconduct.
(c) 
A statement of the time, place and nature of the hearing;
(2) 
The notice shall be personally served or sent by registered mail to the generator, applicant or licensee's last known address, at least 10 days before the hearing date, with a copy to the Administrator.
C. 
Hearing.
(1) 
Hearings shall be held before the Town Justice within a reasonable period which shall be at least 10 days after service of notice.
(2) 
The generator, applicant or licensee may be represented by counsel at the hearing and may offer evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
(3) 
Within 20 days after the close of the hearing, the Town Justice shall:
(a) 
Determine whether the alleged failure to comply with this chapter has occurred; and
(b) 
If the Town Justice determines that such a failure has occurred, decide whether the generator or applicant shall be subject to fine or penalty, the application shall be denied or an existing solid waste license or authorized hauler status be suspended, revoked or its holder subjected to a reprimand and issue an order carrying out this decision.
D. 
Determinations, decisions and orders.
(1) 
Disposition may be made by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, default or other informal method.
(2) 
The Town Justice shall promptly notify the applicant or licensee in writing of the final determination, decision or order.
A. 
Inspections and appearance tickets.
(1) 
All portions of vehicles and containers used to haul, transport or dispose of recyclable materials, including such containers placed outside of residences, shall be subject to inspection to ascertain compliance with this chapter, the county solid waste reuse and recycling law and the rules, regulations or orders promulgated pursuant to the county law, by any police officer, peace officer, code officer and any other public official designated by the county or Town of Clarkson.
(2) 
Police officers, peace officers, code officers and the specified public servants are hereby authorized and directed to issue appearance tickets for violations of this chapter.
B. 
Penalties.
(1) 
Civil sanctions. The Town of Clarkson may commence a civil action to enjoin or otherwise remedy any failure to comply with this chapter.
(2) 
Criminal penalties. In addition to the civil sanctions provided herein, failure to comply with this chapter shall be a violation as defined in § 55.10 of the Penal Law and penalties may be imposed thereunder and/or under § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.
(3) 
Any penalties or damages recovered or imposed under this chapter are in addition to any other remedies available at law or equity.
(4) 
No penalties, fines, civil sanctions or other enforcement actions will be commenced prior to June 1, 1992, in order to permit persons regulated hereunder to come into compliance with this chapter.