[Adopted 10-13-1992 by Ord. No. 2156]
[Amended 12-12-2022 by Ord. No. 2958-2022]
A.
Residents may utilize either compost piles or compost containers
as further regulated in this article for personal, noncommercial purposes.
Only the materials described herein are permitted in compost piles,
compost bins or compost containers, respectively. Furthermore, any
materials to be composted shall originate from the same property the
compost pile, compost bin, or compost container is located, and any
compost generated shall be used only on the same property the compost
piles, compost bins or compost container is located.
(1)
Contents of compost piles. Home composting can be done by placing
leaves and grass clippings in a pile or heap in the backyard. Only
chopped or whole leaves and grass clippings are permitted in a compost
pile. The entire contents of the pile can consist of leaves only but
cannot consist solely of grass clippings. If grass clippings are included
in the pile, the mix must consist of either three parts chopped leaves
and one part grass clippings or six parts whole leaves and one part
grass clippings, the exception being when a commercial accelerator
for leaves and/or grass clippings is used to compensate for an imbalance
in the contents of the mix. Food products of any type or classification
are not permitted in the compost pile.
(2)
Contents of compost containers or compost bins.
(a)
A compost bin is a container, specifically designed and engineered
for the collection and processing of organic materials into nutrient-rich
compost. Both brown and green components from the list below are permitted
in the compost container or bin. The contents shall consist of a mix
ratio of two- or three-parts browns to one-part greens by volume,
along with a microorganism source listed in the table below. The specified
brown and green components at the preferred blend levels should avoid
odor and potential rodent problems with the compost container. The
table below includes a list of items that shall not be included in
the compost container. Human feces; animal manure; cat or dog feces;
and diseased or chemically treated plant matter, wood, or paper shall
not be composted in any type of composter.
(b)
The entire contents of the compost container may consist of
leaves only (browns) but shall not consist solely of grass clippings
(greens). If grass clippings are included in the contents, the mix
must include either three parts chopped leaves or an equivalent amount
of listed "brown" by volume and one part grass clippings by volume
or six parts whole leaves or an equivalent amount of listed "brown"
and one part grass clippings, the exception being when a commercial
accelerator for leaves and/or grass clippings is used to compensate
for an imbalance in the contents of the mix.
|
Browns
|
Greens
|
Microorganism sources
|
Items that shall not be composted
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
-Fall leaves.
-Dead plants.
-Straw.
-Wood chips.
-Compostable products such as noncolored shredded paper and
bags/corrugated cardboard.
-Shredded twigs/pine needles.
-Sawdust (untreated wood).
|
-Grass clippings.
-Green weeds.
-Coffee grounds/tea bags (without staple or plastic tea bags).
-Kitchen scraps.
-Plant trimmings.
-Hair or fur clippings.
|
-Old compost.
-Garden soil.
-Commercial compost starters.
|
These items may only be hot composted in enclosed bins that
reach 145°:
Persistent weeds (Poison Ivy, Multiflora Rose, Blind Weed, Quack
Grass), meat, dairy products and kitchen vegetables cooked with animal
fats, fish bones.
Items that shall not be composted:
-Human feces.
-Diseased or chemically treated plants, leaves or wood.
-Animal manures (cow, horse, sheep, chicken, rabbit, etc.).
-Dog or cat feces.
|
[Added 12-12-2022 by Ord.
No. 2958-2022]
A.
Compost piles or containers shall be located in the side or rear
yard with the entire contents of the pile being at least five feet
from any property line and 20 feet from any habitable building off
the subject property. Compost piles or containers shall not be visible
from any public right-of-way.
B.
Compost piles shall be located in a level, shady area, out of direct
sunlight, in an area that will not develop puddles or be affected
by drainage after rainfall.
[Added 12-12-2022 by Ord.
No. 2958-2022]
A.
Compost piles.
(1)
The maximum dimensions for a compost pile are five feet in width,
10 feet in length and five feet in height. A compost pile width shall
not be more than the initial height before decomposition.
B.
Compost containers.
(1)
Compost bins or containers shall not exceed five feet in width, five
feet by five feet x five feet in length. The ideal size for the structure
is three feet by three feet by three feet.
(2)
Compost bins or containers shall be constructed of permanent materials,
such as wood, brick, block, plastic and wire or consist of a wooden
or steel barrel or drum.
(3)
Compost bins or containers shall be constructed to prevent animals
and rodents from entering the container. They shall be sealed on all
sides with openings for aeration, which is necessary for composting,
that are too small for vermin to enter, 1/2 inch or less.
[Added 12-12-2022 by Ord.
No. 2958-2022]
A.
Compost piles and containers must be kept free from offensive odors
and properly maintained in accordance with guidelines promulgated
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, and in accordance with this
chapter and any other guidelines that may be adopted from time to
time by Resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
B.
Compost piles, bins or containers shall be maintained in a manner
to preclude the spread of plant or animal disease, the harboring of
animals or rodents and the infestation of insects. A compost pile
shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner. Material to be composted
must be applied to the compost pile, bin or container in a timely
fashion and may not be stored in any garbage or leaf bag.
C.
The landowner shall keep compost piles or bins and the surrounding
area free of rodents and vermin. The Director of Code Enforcement
or other authorized Township official shall order the removal of any
compost piles or bins if there is evidence of rodents or vermin on
the property.
[Amended 3-12-2012 by Ord. No. 2660; 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 2666]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any
provision of this article shall, upon summary conviction before any
Magisterial District Justice, pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 and
costs of prosecution and, in default of one payment of the fine and
costs, the violator may be sentenced to the county jail for a term
of not more than 30 days. Each and every day in which any person,
firm or corporation shall be in violation of this article shall constitute
a separate offense.
