The following words, when used in this ordinance, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates otherwise:
BUILDING RUBBISH
Refuse and debris resulting from the repair, excavation, construction or demolition of buildings, such as sand, concrete, earth, lumber, brick, steel, stone, mortar, plaster, roofing materials and the like.
BULK WASTE
Materials whose large size, weight or construction inhibits or prevents their disposal by normal collection practices.
DWELLING UNIT
Any structure or portion of any structure utilized as a residence by persons within the Township of Springfield.
FERROUS SCRAP METALS
All metals consisting of steel and/or iron.
[Added 7-10-2012 by Ord. No. 1523]
GARBAGE
The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of foods. It shall not include more than a minimum amount of free liquids. It shall not include food processing wastes from canneries, packing plants, food processing centers or similar industries, nor large quantities of condemned food products.
HAZARDOUS REFUSE
Acids, asbestos, herbicides/pesticides, volatile liquids, infectious wastes, waste oil, organic solvents, paints, explosives or flammable, radioactive or related hazardous substances or materials.
HOUSEHOLDER
The owner, tenant, occupant or residents of any dwelling unit in the Township of Springfield.
JUNK DEALER
Any person, firm, association or corporation engaged in the business of buying and selling junk, rubber, rags, rope, paper, nonferrous scrap metals and ferrous scrap metals commonly known as the "business of a junk dealer."
[Added 7-10-2012 by Ord. No. 1523]
NONFERROUS SCRAP METALS
All metals which contain no iron, such as aluminum, copper, brass, lead, nickel, tin, titanium, zinc and all other precious metals.
[Added 7-10-2012 by Ord. No. 1523]
NONRESIDENTIAL
Agricultural, commercial, industrial or institutional concerns.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, association, corporation, company, partnership or authority.
RECYCLABLES
Materials which have useful physical or chemical value after serving a specific purpose and can therefore be reused or recycled for the same or other purposes.
REFUSE
Rubbish, garbage and ash, as provided in residences, exclusive of bulk waste.
RESIDENCE (residential)
Any permanent structure in the Township of Springfield containing one or more than one dwelling unit.
RUBBISH
All waste materials not included in refuse or garbage, except building rubbish in connection with building construction or reconstruction, street refuse, industrial refuse, dead animals, abandoned large machinery or vehicles or such other waste as is not commonly produced in residences, stores and institutions.
A. 
Refuse disposal. It shall be unlawful for any person to collect and dispose of any refuse within the Township of Springfield, except as provided in this ordinance.
B. 
Residential refuse. All residential refuse and garbage in the Township of Springfield shall be collected, conveyed and disposed of by the Township, and the cost of such service shall be paid for as provided in the schedule of fees as set forth in § 54-5, hereof, by the person owning the residence building containing the dwelling or dwellings from whence the refuse has been accumulated.
C. 
Regulation authorization. The Public Works Committee of the Board of Commissioners of Springfield Township, is herewith given authorization to make regulations concerning the days of collection, type and location of refuse, bulk waste and rubbish controls and such other matters pertaining to recycling and to the collection, disposal and charging of fees and expenses incident thereto.
D. 
Bulk waste collection. The Public Works Department of the Township of Springfield shall provide open-truck bulk waste collection to the householders of the Township (exclusive of nonresidential units) one day of each week, as designated by the Public Works Committee of the Board of Commissioners.
(1) 
Items which are collectible. Open-truck waste collection shall be confined to items such as refrigerators, air conditioners, furniture, playground equipment, box springs and mattresses, appliances and similar property, with a maximum limit of 150 pounds. Any metal items over 30 pounds are considered bulk waste.
(2) 
Preparation and prohibited materials. Loose materials must be placed in containers. Building rubbish resulting from the repair, excavation, construction or demolition of buildings shall not be collected by the Township but must be removed by owners or contractors through other means. Paper and other refuse is excluded from bulk waste collection.
(3) 
Placement of bulk waste for collection. Items to be collected must be placed at or near the curbline, and collectors shall not enter any building for the purpose of making collections.
(4) 
Application and fee. Residents must make application well in advance of anticipated bulk collection and shall be subject to a collection fee as determined by the Public Works Department and as provided in § 54-5, Fees.
E. 
Nonresidential units.
(1) 
All nonresidential refuse, bulk waste and building rubbish will not normally be collected or disposed of by the Township. The owners of such nonresidential properties shall be responsible for the disposal of refuse and rubbish from their premises. They shall provide containers, such as dumpsters, which shall be provided with closable lids, kept closed, except which container is in the moment of being filled. They shall dispose of their own refuse in watertight vehicles provided with tight covers and so operated as to prevent offensive odors escaping therefrom and refuse being blown, dropped or spilled.
(2) 
All nonresidential units (commercial, institutional, utilities, municipal establishments, etc.) shall forthwith provide separate containers to separate, collect, gather and safely store the following material until collection: high-grade office paper, aluminum, corrugated paper and leaf waste. All such items shall be disposed of by the nonresidential unit promptly so that there shall not be any undue or unreasonable amount accumulated prior to collection. The nonresidential unit shall privately contract for and have the materials disposed of in keeping with all applicable provisions of current environmental regulations and law.
[Added 1-10-1990 by Ord. No. 1234]
A. 
Preparation of refuse.
(1) 
All garbage, before being placed in containers for collection, shall have drained from it all free liquids and should be wrapped in paper. All refuse shall be drained of liquid before being deposited for collection.
(2) 
Tree trimmings, hedge clippings and similar materials shall be cut to lengths not to exceed three feet and shall be securely tied in bundles not more than two feet thick before being placed for collection. Tree trimmings, branches and similar materials should not be placed in trash containers.
(3) 
Ash must not be put in paper bags or cardboard boxes.
(4) 
Broken glass, syringes and other sharp objects must be disposed of in containers which will properly hold the contents.
(5) 
Animal feces must be disposed of in watertight plastic bags which will properly hold the contents.
B. 
Containers.
(1) 
All refuse receptacles shall have a watertight lid and be of such type that shall securely contain its contents and may be easily handled by one man, except that, in multidwelling unit developments, dumpster-type containers may be required by the Township.
(2) 
All refuse receptacles shall be maintained in good condition and must not have ragged or sharp edges. Failure to comply with this provision will result in the refusal to collect the refuse.
(3) 
Refuse must be placed in containers of metal or of substantial plastic construction. Plastic disposal bags will be accepted. Containers, together with contents shall not exceed 40 pounds in weight and shall be placed inside and adjoining the curb line in such manner as not to obstruct passage of the sidewalk.
(4) 
In areas of the Township where plastic bags are used and have been subject to animal depredation, the Health Officer may direct the use of containers of metal or substantial plastic construction, with tight lids to terminate the animal activities.
(5) 
Householders shall not place refuse containers, newspapers for recycling, bags of leaves, bulk items, appliances, shrubbery or grass clippings inside and adjoining the curbline prior to sundown of the day before collection.
(6) 
Householders must remove emptied containers from the street side of the premises within 12 hours after the containers have been emptied. Continuous maintenance of refuse containers on the front side of the dwelling unit shall constitute a violation of the Code. Refuse containers must be stored to the rear of the building line.
(7) 
Any unauthorized accumulation of refuse, garbage, rubbish, bulk waste or recyclables on any residential or nonresidential premises is hereby deemed to be a nuisance and is hereby prohibited.
(8) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, other than the occupants of the premises upon which the refuse containers are maintained or employees of the Township, to remove covers, containers or contents of refuse containers placed for collection.
A. 
Frequency of collection. Refuse shall be collected at least once a week, not including emergencies from dwelling units. Stores, shopping centers, supermarkets, malls, restaurants and other nonresidential uses which are required to dispose of their refuse through private contractors must dispose of the same at least once a week. Where necessary to protect the public health and safety, the Township Health Officer may determine and require that more frequent collections be made.
B. 
Limitation of quantity. It is the intent of this ordinance that the reasonable accumulation of refuse of each householder for the collection period will be collected for the standard charge. The Springfield Township Public Works Committee may refuse the collection of unreasonable accumulations of refuse or, in its discretion, may make an additional charge for such amounts exceeding a total of 320 pounds per collection.
C. 
Nonresidential establishments, collection hours. Offices, stores, shopping centers, malls, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, manufacturing plants and similar establishments shall privately contract for and have their accumulations of refuse and rubbish collected at reasonable times, and if said establishment abuts within 100 feet of a residentially zoned property upon which there is a residence building, said collections shall only be conducted between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., prevailing local time, so that there shall not be any undue or unreasonable amount accumulated prior to collection.
D. 
Hazardous refuse and similar waste. Householders shall not set out for collection hazardous refuse. Such items shall be reserved until instructions as to proper disposal are received from the Township and shall then be disposed of as directed by the Chairman of the Springfield Township Public Works Committee. The expense of such disposal shall be at the cost of the householder or possessor thereof.
A. 
The fees for the collection and disposal of ashes, garbage and refuse shall be as follows:
[Amended 12-13-1989 by Ord. No. 1194]
(1) 
The sum of $300 per calendar year per residence building containing one dwelling unit.
[Amended 12-18-1990 by Ord. No. 1243; 12-21-1993 by Ord. No. 1293; 12-16-2008 by Ord. No. 1489; 12-14-2010 by Ord. No. 1512; 1-8-2013 by Ord. No. 1534; 12-11-2018 by Ord. No. 1591; 11-9-2021 by Ord. No. 1617; 12-19-2023 by Ord. No. 1633]
(2) 
The owner of record of any residence building containing more than one dwelling unit shall be charged the sum of $300 per calendar year for each dwelling unit contained in said residence building for the collection of refuse from that residence building by the Township of Springfield.
[Amended 12-18-1990 by Ord. No. 1243; 12-21-1993 by Ord. No. 1293; 12-16-2008 by Ord. No. 1489; 12-14-2010 by Ord. No. 1512; 1-8-2013 by Ord. No. 1534; 12-11-2018 by Ord. No. 1591; 11-9-2021 by Ord. No. 1617; 12-19-2023 by Ord. No. 1633]
(3) 
The owner of a residential building or tenant obligated by the lease agreement to pay the refuse collection charge is eligible for a refuse fee rebate of up to $150, provided the following conditions are met:
[Amended 12-18-1990 by Ord. No. 1243; 12-21-1993 by Ord. No. 1293; 12-11-2001 by Ord. No. 1390; 2-13-2007 by Ord. No. 1457; 12-16-2008 by Ord. No. 1489; 12-14-2010 by Ord. No. 1512; 1-8-2013 by Ord. No. 1534; 12-11-2018 by Ord. No. 1591; 12-19-2023 by Ord. No. 1633]
(a) 
Applicants must qualify under the Pennsylvania Property Tax or Rent Rebate Program (PA-1000).
(b) 
Applicants must present proof of payment indicating the amount received from the PA-1000 program.
(c) 
The Township refuse fee rebate will be equal to 25% of the amount of the state rebate check but will not exceed $150.
(4) 
The sum of not less than $30 per collection of bulk or solid waste, limited to a pick-up truck load. Greater accumulations requiring a larger truck shall be a minimum of $40 and shall be priced as determined by the Public Works Department Superintendent or his designee. All bulk waste fees are due and payable at the time collection is scheduled.
[Amended 1-7-2002 by Ord. No. 1392]
B. 
All bills for the collection of refuse under this ordinance shall be forwarded to the person charged for the same at such time and in such manner as directed by the Township Board of Commissioners.
C. 
All refuse collection charges shall be a lien against the property serviced by the Township until said refuse collection charges, penalties, interest and costs are paid in full. A penalty of 10% shall be added to all unpaid accounts after four months from the date of the bill. In addition, any costs and/or attorney's fees incurred by Springfield Township shall be added to the unpaid collection fees along with all penalties as set forth above, and the aggregate of the same shall be entered as a lien on the property served. The Township Manager/Secretary or his designee may proceed with the collection of such unpaid charges by an action in assumpsit or, at the election of the Board of Commissioners, in any other manner provided by law. Where suit is brought for the recovery of such fees, penalties, interest or costs, the person liable therefor shall, in addition, be liable for the legal costs of collection.
[Amended 7-10-1990 by Ord. No. 1230]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 40, Fee Schedule.