Borough of Folsom, NJ Article III Yard Waste Collection and Disposal

§ 155-15 Purpose.

This article stablishes a yard waste collection and disposal program in the Borough of Folsom, so as to protect public health, safety, and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for the failure to comply.

§ 155-16 Definitions.

To the extent necessary, the definitions set forth in § 155-2 shall apply.

A. For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, and words used in the plural number include the singular number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

B. Terms defined.

CONTAINERIZED

The placement of yard waste in a trash can, bucket, bag or other vessel, such as to prevent the yard waste from spilling or blowing out into the street and coming into contact with stormwater.

YARD WASTE

Leaves and grass clippings. Christmas trees are also considered yard waste, but may only be collected during the designated times of year. Brush, branches and tree parts are also considered yard waste, but are only collected when the Borough chipper is available on dates scheduled by the Borough Recycling Coordinator.

§ 155-17 Yard waste collection.

A. Grass clippings must be containerized for disposal at all times in either labeled trash containers or in biodegradable kraft bags. Leaves may be either containerized, or during the times of year when the leaf vac is being used, leaves may be placed in piles along the curbline of the street in piles not exceeding five feet in width from the curbline. No leaf piles may be placed closer than 10 feet from a storm drain inlet. In no case shall any yard waste be placed for collection greater than seven days prior to a scheduled collection date.

B. The Recycling Coordinator shall designate the dates during the year during which the Borough leaf vac will be used, and only during those dates may leaves be placed in piles for collection. At all other times leaves must be placed in appropriate containers for collection. Grass clippings shall be placed in appropriate containers at all times for collection.

C. Christmas trees are considered yard waste and shall be placed at the curb for collection on the days specified by the Borough Recycling Coordinator. Such trees should be free of lights and decorations, including tinsel.

D. Hedge and shrubbery clippings, tree trimmings and similar garden waste will be collected if tied in bundles not to exceed four feet in length and not exceeding two feet in diameter. The total volume placed at the curb for pickup may not exceed 10 bundles and must be placed so that they will not spill out into the street and may not be placed within 10 feet of a storm drain. The Borough will remove and chip tree limbs which do not exceed six feet in length and five inches in diameter when placed at curbside in an orderly manner. The removal of tree limbs and tree parts larger than five inches in diameter will not be collected by the Borough and may not be placed curbside. They are the responsibility of the property owner.

§ 155-18 Prohibited conduct.

A. Other than the placing of leaves in an appropriate pile for collection during the designated portions of the year, no one shall sweep, rake, blow, or otherwise place yard waste, including grass clippings, unless containerized, in the street. This prohibition applies to anyone engaged to provide lawn care or landscaping services, and any resident or property owner who knowingly allows a lawn care or landscaping service to violate this provision shall also be guilty of a violation. If any yard waste is placed in the street in violation of this provision, a property owner, in addition to the lawn care or landscaping service, shall be responsible for the removal of such waste from the street or shall otherwise be subject to a penalty in accordance with this chapter.

B. Grass clippings shall be kept separate from and not disposed of with regular waste which is collected by the Borough's collection contractor.

C. Once placed at the curb for collection, all recyclables become subject to the jurisdiction of the Borough, and it is a violation of this chapter for any person, other than persons authorized by the Borough or the resident, to collect all or any portion of such materials or to disturb or move such materials. Each such collection or disturbance in violation of this section shall, as to each property, constitute a separate and distinct offense.

§ 155-19 Enforcement.

The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Recycling Coordinator.

§ 155-20 Violations and penalties.

The provisions of § 155-9 shall apply.