[Adopted 6-4-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-14]
[1]
Editor's Note: The governing body of the Municipality of Kingston adopted the Luzerne County Solid Waste Management Plan on July 9, 1990, by Res. No. 1990-31.
This Article shall be known and may be cited as the "Mandatory Recycling Law of the Municipality of Kingston."
It is the goal and purpose of this Article to effectuate the municipality's compliance with Act 101[1] by facilitating efficient disposal of solid waste generated within the municipality in the most economical, environmentally acceptable manner and also to reduce the total volume of solid waste disposed of by the municipality. This Article is also designed, in accordance with the municipality's police powers, to protect the health, welfare and safety of the residents of this municipality.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.101 et seq.
For the purposes of this Article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any entity in business for profit and which has not previously been afforded municipal waste collection.
CORRUGATED PAPER
Paper which has been shaped or wrinkled into parallel grooves and ridges, including cardboard and wrapping and packaging paper.
FERROUS METAL
Steel and bimetallic cans. These cans are distinguishable by utilizing a magnet, which should attach to the side of the can but not the bottom of the can.
[Added 3-4-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-9]
HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE) PLASTIC
Plastic containers, including but not limited to milk, springwater, juice, liquid, laundry detergent, fabric softener, liquid bleach, liquid dish detergent, household cleaning liquids, motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, shampoo and conditioner, hand and moisturizing lotions and syrup containers.
[Added 7-9-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-25]
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
A private garbage hauler engaged by a commercial establishment.
LEAF WASTE
Leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings and similar material, but not including grass clippings.
[Added 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-8]
NEWSPRINT
Paper of the type commonly used for newspapers and distributed at fixed intervals, having printed thereon news and opinions, containing advertisements and other matters of public interest. Expressly excluded are glossy advertising inserts often included with newspapers.
[Amended 4-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-2]
PERSON
Any individual or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. In any provisions of this Article prescribing a fine, imprisonment or penalty, or any combination of the foregoing, the term "person" shall include the officers and directors of any corporation or other legal entity having officers and directors.
POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET) PLASTIC
Plastic containers, including two-liter plastic bottles and peanut butter containers.
[Added 7-9-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-25]
POLYPROPYLENE
A plastic, also known as PP, including but not limited to some yogurt containers, cream cheese and margarine tubs, syrup and shampoo bottles, identified by the No. 5 in a triangle on the bottom of the container.
[Added 7-1-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-17]
POLYVINYL CHLORIDE
More commonly known as "PVC," includes containers such as shiny clear bottles or clear bottles with a blue tint, including but not limited to cleaning products and soda bottles.
[Added 7-9-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-25]
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Materials which are separated from the remainder of municipal waste in compliance with Section 1501 of Act 101.[1]
RESIDENT
A person who lives in a residential structure.
RESIDENTIAL
Any noncommercial building used for family dwelling and which contains no more than 12 dwelling units.
[Amended 4-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-2]
RESIDENTIAL UNIT
A building, structure, portion of a building or portion of a structure used for family dwelling. Each separate living unit shall be classified as a separate unit (i.e., one structure containing four apartments is considered four individual residential units).
[Added 4-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-2]
SENIOR CITIZEN
An individual who has attained the age of 65 years.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-1]
SOLID WASTE
Materials or substances discharged or rejected as being spent, useless, worthless or in excess by the owner at the time of such discard or rejection, except sewage and other highly diluted water-carried materials or substances and those in gaseous form. Such waste is more commonly defined as "municipal waste" under rules and regulations promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. The "waste" shall include but is not limited to garbage, sludge, rubbish, ashes, street cleaning, dead animals, offal, abandoned vehicles and agricultural waste.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.1501.
A. 
In accordance with Section 1501 of Act 101, 53 P.S. § 4000.1501, the following items are hereby declared as the designated residential recyclable materials:
(1) 
Newsprint, which, until such time as may be prohibited by the recycling facility, may also include glossy advertising inserts.
(2) 
Aluminum cans.
(3) 
Clear glass.
(4) 
Colored glass.
(5) 
HDPE plastic.
[Added 7-9-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-25]
(6) 
PET plastic.
[Added 7-9-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-25]
(7) 
Polyvinyl chloride.
[Added 7-9-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-25]
(8) 
Ferrous metal.
[Added 3-4-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-9]
(9) 
Polypropylene.
[Added 7-1-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-17]
B. 
Each resident must establish within the household a program for effective source separation of the aforementioned recyclable materials. Said recyclable materials must be kept separate from other solid waste and shall be disposed of as hereinafter set forth. Further, all of the designated recyclable materials must be stored in an area free from exposure to the elements and shall be properly secured so as to be safe from vermin.
C. 
All recyclables shall become the property of the municipality when placed at curbside for collection.
[Amended 4-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-2]
D. 
The Department of Public Works of the municipality shall establish a schedule for collection of the recyclable materials which conforms to the requirements of Section 1501(d) of Act 101.[1] Suitable public notice of said schedule of collection shall be made via newspaper advertisements.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.1501(d).
E. 
The Town Council, by ordinance at any time, may fix or amend a recycling fee and specify the manner of collection of said fee. Said fee shall be placed on each residential unit as defined under this article.
[Added 4-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-2; amended 6-7-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-4]
F. 
Recycling fee.
[Added 6-7-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-4; amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-1]
(1) 
Effective with and for the calendar year 2020 and thereafter until amended, the recycling fee is established to be $30 per annum. A 10% penalty is imposed if the recycling fee is not paid within 60 days of issuance. This penalty shall be set forth in the billing for the recycling fee.
(2) 
A lien may be filed if the recycling fee is not paid within 60 days of the imposition of the penalty amount.
(3) 
A 25% discount is allowed to those meeting the definition of "senior citizen" as defined in the definitional section set forth in § 103-17.
(4) 
Eligibility for the senior citizen discount may be established if the following requirements are met:
(a) 
All owners of the property must be 65 years of age or older unless ownership is established with a spouse or sibling, in which case only one owner needs to be 65 or older.
(b) 
All owners must occupy and use the property as their primary residence.
(c) 
Eligibility for the reduced amount may be established by supplying the collector of the fee with the following documentation:
[1] 
A photocopy of the deed of ownership or a photocopy of the county/municipal or school tax bill for the property;
[2] 
A photocopy of the driver's license of the owner or owners; or
[3] 
A copy of a state-issued identification for each owner; or
[4] 
A copy of the birth certificate for each owner; or
[5] 
A combination of the foregoing; or
[6] 
Such other documentation as unequivocally establishes the age of the owner(s).
[Amended 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-8]
A. 
In accordance with Section 1501 of Act 101,[1] the following are designated as the designated commercial recycling materials:
(1) 
High-grade office paper.
(2) 
Aluminum.
(3) 
Corrugated paper.
(4) 
Leaf waste.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.1501.
B. 
Each commercial, municipal and institutional establishment and each community event shall develop an effective program for the source separation of the aforementioned recyclables. These materials must be kept separate from other solid waste. Further, the recyclable materials must be stored in an area free from exposure to the elements and properly secured so as to be safe from vermin.
C. 
Each commercial, municipal and institutional establishment and each community event shall arrange with an independent contractor for private collection of the aforementioned recyclables as well as for the collection of remaining solid waste, which independent contractor shall comply with all governing statutes for proper disposal of the same.
D. 
Any commercial or institutional establishment and any community event which seeks exemption from the requirements of this article on the basis that it has otherwise provided for the recycling of the designated recyclable materials shall report no later than January 15 of each year to the municipality the total number of tons recycled, in compliance with Section 1501(c)(1)(iii) of Act 101.11.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.1501(c)(1)(iii)
E. 
The Municipality of Kingston may use existing municipal services and resources to comply with the recycling requirements of this article and the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.101 et seq.
A. 
A public information specialist shall be appointed, who shall inform the public of the direct benefits which the municipality and its residents will receive from the curbside program hereby established, as well as the requirements which residents must follow to successfully implement this Article.
B. 
At least 30 days prior to initiation of this recycling program and at least once every six months thereafter, public notice of this Article and its requirements shall be given to all residents by the placement of advertisements in two newspapers of general circulation and by the placement of a notice posted in the Municipal Building.
Any resident wishing to dispose of a lead acid battery shall deliver the same to an automotive battery retailer or wholesaler or to a secondary lead smelter permitted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or to an authorized recycler, as required by Section 1510 of Act 101.[1] No other form of disposal shall be lawful.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.1510.
[Amended 4-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-2]
Leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings and similar material, but not including grass clippings, shall be separated from other municipal waste generated by residents and shall be placed at curbside in accordance with the collection schedule established by the Mayor. The above items are to be placed for disposal in a disposable corrugated container, paper bag or any rigid open container not exceeding 33 gallons.
[Added 7-9-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-25]
A. 
Plastics.
[Amended 4-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-2]
(1) 
Residents must clean all designated recyclable materials of contents before placing the same at curbside for collection. All containers bearing metal caps or aluminum lids must have these objects removed prior to being placed out for recycling. The caps or aluminum lids must be disposed off with the refuse.
(2) 
Said recyclables may be placed at the curbside, commingled with other approved residential recyclables, with the exception of newsprint, in an appropriate curbside recycling container in accordance with the curbside recycling schedule.
(3) 
Compaction of the plastic containers before disposal would be helpful in reducing the density of recyclables.
(4) 
Newsprint must be either tied with cotton cord or placed in a paper bag for collection on the day designated by the Mayor.
B. 
Ferrous metals.
[Added 3-4-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-9]
(1) 
Residents must clean all steel and bimetallic cans of contents before placing the same at curbside for collection. Cans should be free of their lids. Product labels need not be removed.
(2) 
Said recyclables may be placed at the curbside, commingled with other approved residential recyclables in the mandatory curbside recycling container provided for by the municipality in accordance with the curbside recycling schedule.
(3) 
Compaction of the steel and bimetallic cans before disposal would be helpful in reducing the density of recyclables.
Upon placement at curbside of the container supplied by the municipality, as hereinbefore mentioned, all recyclables shall become the property of the municipality, whose responsibility it shall be to dispose of the recyclables in conformity with Act 101.[1] No person or persons other than the Department of Public Works or its duly authorized agents may collect and dispose of recyclables placed at curbside. Violation of this section shall be considered as criminal theft or scattering rubbish under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, depending upon the severity of the violation, and may be prosecuted in accordance with existing law.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.101 et seq.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of the materials designated herein as recyclables with regular municipal waste. The Department of Public Works and its designated agents are hereby authorized to regularly inspect all municipal waste collected for violations of this Article.
B. 
The municipality reserves the right to refuse to collect municipal waste which contains unseparated recyclable materials in violation of § 103-18 of this Article.
The municipality, if it deems it appropriate, may enter into an agreement with any private firm for the collection of recyclables, pursuant to Section 1501(e)(1)(ii) of Act 101.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.1501(e)(1)(ii).
Any person who violates any provision of this Article, except as hereinbefore stated in § 103-24, shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 and costs of prosecution and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, to undergo imprisonment for a period of not more than 30 days. Further, each day for which a violation occurs and each violation of any provision of this Article shall constitute a separate offense.