Village of Ridgefield Park, NJ Article VII Composting of Grass

[Adopted 4-9-1991 by Ord. No. 6-91 (Ch. 117, Art. VII, of the 1985 Code)]

§ 214-57 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

COMPOSTING

The biological process of degrading a nonhazardous solid waste.

COMPOSTING FACILITY

An area licensed by the State of New Jersey for the storage and treatment of grass clippings to be converted to mulch for use in landscaping or as a landfill cover.

DWELLING UNIT

Includes a one-family home, two-family home, multifamily home and all condominiums, co-ops, flats and apartments.

GRASS CLIPPINGS

Those materials naturally formed from grass that are suitable for composting and mulching purposes.

PERSONS

Includes all contractors, individuals, partnerships, corporations, owners, tenants, lessees, firms, societies, schools, churches and associations, either profit or nonprofit, within the Village of Ridgefield Park.

RECYCLING

Any process by which materials which would otherwise become solid waste are prepared, separated, collected or processed and returned to the economic mainstream in the form of raw materials or products.

RECYCLING COORDINATOR

The person appointed by the Board of Commissioners who shall be authorized to coordinate the Village Recycling Program and who shall enforce the provisions of this article and all rules and regulations promulgated hereafter, together with any other person authorized to enforce ordinances under the laws of the State of New Jersey and the Village of Ridgefield Park.

SOLID WASTE

Grass clippings normally placed at the curb during grass season by all persons and occupants of the Village of Ridgefield Park for regular municipal collection.

§ 214-58 Mandatory separation of grass clippings.

A. It shall be mandatory for all persons within the Village of Ridgefield Park to separate their grass clippings from all other solid waste generated at any property within the Village and place them out for collection by the Department of Public Works, if they wish to dispose off their property, with the exception of all contractors.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

B. It shall be mandatory for all landscapers and/or other yard contractors to separate grass clippings generated from their contracts within the Village and dispose of them privately at their own cost.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

C. It shall be mandatory for all landscapers and/or other yard contractors to file an exemption form with the Municipal Recycling Coordinator and to report at the end of each calendar year the total tonnage of grass clippings that were generated within the Village and the market to which they were delivered. A copy is attached as part of this article.[3]

[3] Editor's Note: The exemption form is on file in the Village offices.

§ 214-59 Method of separation and preparation.

A. All grass clippings shall be source-separated from all other yard waste and placed loose in a rigid plastic garbage can, a galvanized garbage can or a biodegradable paper bag.

B. These containers, when filled, should not weigh more than 35 pounds.

§ 214-60 Collection procedures and regulations.

A. Grass clippings shall not be placed in plastic bags or corrugated cardboard boxes and shall not be thrown into the street.

B. Grass clippings that are scattered over paved areas during mowing operations shall be collected, prepared and discarded according to this article and placed out for collection. They shall not be left in the street or on sidewalks.

C. In the case of multifamily dwellings, condominiums, co-ops, flats, apartments, schools, churches, associations, societies or any other commercial establishment, the custodian, superintendent, manager or owner shall be responsible for the preparation and placement of all generated grass clippings at the curb in accordance with this article.

D. At no time shall any grass clippings be dumped, placed or thrown on or between any plaza, center road island, park or Village of Ridgefield Park property or on any property not owned by the person.

E. As mandated under the Recycling Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-92 et seq.), all grass clippings shall be placed at the curb for collection only between the date of May 1 and October 31 of each year.

F. All prepared grass clippings shall be placed in front of the premises where they were generated. This includes all corner properties.

G. Any grass clippings found at curbside that have not been separated or prepared in accordance with this article shall not be picked up. All violations may result in a summons being issued.

§ 214-61 Collection schedule.

A. Separated and prepared grass clippings shall be placed at the curbline after 5:00 p.m. on the night before the scheduled pickup.

B. Scheduled pickup of grass clippings shall be set by resolution by the Board of Commissioners of the Village of Ridgefield Park.

§ 214-62 Enforcement.

This article shall be enforced by the Recycling Coordinator, the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, the Police Department and such other departments or individuals of the Village of Ridgefield Park as are designated by the Board of Commissioners of the Village of Ridgefield Park or by legislation adopted by the State of New Jersey.

§ 214-63 Violations and penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this article or any rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine for the first offense of not more than $50 and a fine of not more than $100 for the second offense. Any person who violates this article a third time shall be subject to the penalty prescribed in N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.