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Township of Shaler, PA
Allegheny County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Township of Shaler by regulating the collection, storage, transportation, removal, dumping, deposit, disposal and recycling of solid waste by instituting a comprehensive solid waste management program and establishing a mandatory recycling program pursuant to the requirements of Act 101, 53 P.S. ยงย 4000.101 et seq. Furthermore, the goals of this chapter are to:
A.ย 
Require waste reduction and recycling as a means of managing solid waste, conserving resources and supplying energy.
B.ย 
Protect the public health, safety and welfare from the short- and long-term dangers of collection, transportation, processing and storage of solid waste.
C.ย 
Utilize, wherever feasible, the capabilities of private enterprise in accomplishing the desired objectives of an effective, comprehensive solid waste management program.
D.ย 
Establish and implement within the Township a recycling program to return valuable materials to productive use, to conserve energy and to protect capacity at waste processing and disposal facilities.
E.ย 
Recycle solid waste and source-separated recyclable materials generated in the Township.
F.ย 
Maintain the quality and character of the Township neighborhoods.
G.ย 
Teach the residents and those individuals working in the Township the economic, environmental and energy value of recycling and waste reduction; and encourage, through a variety of means, participation in such activities.
The following words and phrases as used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ACT OR ACT 97
The Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act of 1980 (P.L. 380, No. 97, July 7, 1980), 35 P.S. ยงย 6018.101 et seq.
ACT 101
The Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988, 53 P.S. ยงย 4000.101 et seq.
AGRICULTURAL WASTE
Poultry and livestock manure or residual materials in liquid or solid form, generated in the production and marketing of poultry, livestock, fur-bearing animals and their products, provided that such waste is not a hazardous waste. The term includes the residual materials generated in producing, harvesting and marketing of all agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and agricultural crops or commodities grown on what are usually recognized and accepted as farms, forests or other agricultural lands.
ALUMINUM CANS
Empty all-aluminum beverage or food cans.
BIMETALLIC CANS
Empty food or beverage cans consisting of steel and aluminum.
BULKY WASTE
Large items of solid waste, including but not limited to appliances, furniture, large auto parts, trees, branches or stumps, which may require special handling due to their size, shape or weight.
COLLECTOR
The entity or entities authorized by the municipality to collect recyclable materials from residences or authorized by commercial, industrial, municipal and institutional establishments that do not receive collection services from the municipality to collect recyclable materials from those properties.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any establishment engaged in a nonmanufacturing or nonprocessing business, including, but not limited to, stores, markets, office buildings, restaurants, shopping centers and theaters. Multifamily dwellings and townhouses of greater than four units, not individually owned, mobile home parks, hotels, motels, mixed-use properties (combined business/residential on a single parcel) and farms which use commercial dumpsters shall be considered commercial establishments. The term does not include properties where the primary permitted use is residential and an accessory use is commercial (i.e., home occupations).
COMMINGLED
Designated recyclable materials:
A.ย 
Which have been segregated from municipal waste; and
B.ย 
Which have been placed in a recycling container for the purpose of collection.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Events that are sponsored by public or private agencies or individuals that include but are not limited to fairs, bazaars, socials, picnics and organized sporting events attended by the general public.
COMPOSTING
The process by which solid organic waste is biologically decomposed under controlled aerobic or anaerobic conditions to yield a humus-like product.
CONSTRUCTION DEMOLITION WASTE
All municipal and residual waste building materials, grubbing waste and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair and demolition operations on houses, commercial buildings and other structures and pavements.
CORRUGATED PAPER (CARDBOARD PRODUCTS)
Structural paper material with an inner core shaped in rigid parallel furrows and ridges, but expressly excluded are used pizza boxes and other cardboard cartons contaminated with grease or cooking oil.
COVERED DEVICE - ELECTRONIC WASTE
Desktop and laptop computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals and televisions, as same are defined by the Covered Device Recycling Act, 35 P.S. 6031.101 et seq.
DEPARTMENT
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DESIGNATED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Those materials specified by the rules and regulations of Shaler Township to be recycled after public notice.
DISPOSAL
The incineration, deposition, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking or placing of solid waste into or on the land or water in a manner that the solid waste or a constituent of the solid waste enters the environment, is emitted into the air or is discharged to the waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
DOMESTIC WASTE or HOUSEHOLD WASTE
Solid waste, comprised of garbage and rubbish, which normally originates in the residential private household or apartment house.
DUMPSTER
Any portable container, receptacle, compactor unit, trailer, roll-off box, collection bin, tub or similar unit with or without wheels that is used or designed for temporary storage, containment or transport of refuse, debris, trash, garbage, food waste, solid waste, recyclable material, incidental demolition debris or other discarded or like materials. See also "refuse container or trash container."
ENFORCING ENTITY
The Township Manager or his designee.
FERROUS CONTAINERS
Empty steel or tin-coated food or beverage containers.
FACADE
All the wall planes of a structure as seen from one side or view. The exterior face of a building, including but not limited to the wall, windows and doorways.
FRONT FACADE
The facade of the building adjacent to the front property line. That portion of the facade of a dwelling fronting on a street or trafficway, or the portion of the facade most closely complying with that definition, as in the case of a flag lot. Where a lot has more than one frontage on a street or trafficway, all such frontages shall be considered the front facade except where a facade meets the definition of a rear facade. The front facade of a building would include all of the wall area that would be shown on the front elevation of the building plans.
GARBAGE
Any solid waste derived from animal, grain, fruit or vegetable matter that is capable of being decomposed by microorganisms with sufficient rapidity to cause such nuisances as odors, gases or vectors. Refuse, except rubbish, or waste of any kind.
GLASS CONTAINERS
Empty bottles and jars made of clear, green or brown glass. Expressly excluded are noncontainer glass, plate glass, automotive glass, light bulbs, blue glass and porcelain and ceramic products.
HAULER or PRIVATE COLLECTOR
Any person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation who has been licensed by the Township of Shaler or its designated representative to collect, transport and dispose of refuse for a fee in the Township of Shaler.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OR SUBSTANCES
Any material or substance which may have a direct or identifiable effect on persons or property within the municipal boundaries of the Township of Shaler or any such substances or materials in a quantity or form which, in the determination of the Township Manager or his authorized representative, pose an unreasonable or imminent risk to the life, health or safety of persons or property or to the ecological balance of the environment, and shall include, but not be limited to, such substances as explosives, radioactive materials, petroleum products or gases, poisons, etiologic (biologic) agents, flammables, corrosives or materials listed in the hazardous substance list of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the Solid Waste Management Act, 35 P.S. ยงย 6018.101, and the Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act, 35 P.S. ยงย 7303. This includes any product or waste or combination of substances that, because of the quantity, concentration, physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, if not properly treated, stored, transported, used or disposed of, or otherwise managed, would create a potential threat to public health through direct or indirect introduction into groundwater resources and the subsurface environment, which includes the soil and all subsequent materials located below. Such hazardous materials include, but are not limited to, materials which may be included on one or more of the following lists:
A.ย 
Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Z, Extremely Hazardous Substance Act.
B.ย 
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents in the Work Environment (latest edition).
C.ย 
National Toxicology Program, Annual Report on Carcinogens (latest edition).
D.ย 
International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs (latest edition).
E.ย 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Labor and Industry, Hazardous Substance List (latest edition).
F.ย 
"Hazardous substances" defined pursuant to Section 311 of the Federal Clean Water Act.
G.ย 
"Toxic materials" defined pursuant to Chapter 75 of the DEP Rules and Regulations.
H.ย 
"Hazardous wastes" defined pursuant to Section 101 of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Any solid waste or combination of solid wastes, as defined in the Act, which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in morbidity in either an individual or the total population or pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed.
HIGH-GRADE OFFICE PAPER
All white paper, bond paper and computer paper used in commercial, industrial, institutional and municipal establishments and in residences.
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any establishment engaging in manufacturing or processing, including, but not limited to, factories, foundries, mills, processing plants and refineries, mines and slaughterhouses.
INSTITUTIONAL ESTABLISHMENT
Those facilities that house or serve groups of people, including but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, day-care centers, schools and universities.
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
Includes but is not limited to automotive, truck and industrial batteries that contain lead.
LEAF WASTE
Leaves from trees, bushes and other plants, garden residues, chipped shrubbery and tree trimmings, but specifically excluding grass clippings.
LITTER
A.ย 
Garbage, refuse, rubbish and trash, as defined herein, covered waste and all other waste material or leaf waste which, if thrown, discarded, left, emitted or deposited as herein prohibited, causes or tends to create:
(1)ย 
A danger to public health, safety and welfare; or
(2)ย 
An objectionable or unsightly condition caused by the placement of things lying about in disorder; or
(3)ย 
The expenditure of public funds to correct; or
(4)ย 
A hazard to the environment or wildlife.
B.ย 
Litter shall not include sand, anti-skid material, salt or other appropriate chemicals to treat any icy or slippery condition.
MAGAZINES AND PERIODICALS
Printed matter containing miscellaneous written pieces published at fixed or varying intervals. Expressly excluded are all other paper products of any nature whatsoever.
MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROPERTIES
Any properties having more than four dwelling units per structure.
MUNICIPAL ESTABLISHMENT
Public facilities operated by the municipality and other governmental and quasi-governmental authorities.
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of Shaler, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
MUNICIPAL WASTE
Garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office waste and other material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from operation of residential, municipal, commercial, industrial or institutional establishments and from community activities; and any sludge not meeting the definition of residual or hazardous waste under the Solid Waste Management Act, 35 P.S. ยงย 6018.101 et seq., from a municipal, commercial, industrial or institutional water supply treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant or air pollution control facility. The term does not include source-separated recyclable materials.
NEWSPAPERS
Paper of the type commonly referred to as "newsprint" and distributed at fixed intervals, having printed thereon news and opinions, containing advertisements and other matters of public interest. Expressly excluded are newspapers which have been soiled, color comics, glossy advertising inserts and advertising inserts printed in colors other than black and white often included with newspapers.
NEWSPRINT
Paper which has been used for the production of daily, weekend and special edition publications commonly known as newspapers.
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Premises or a use not accessible or available to the community or the general public.
OPACITY
The quality or fact of being opaque; opaqueness; the property of a substance whereby it partially or wholly obstructs the transmission of visible light expressed as the percentage to which light is obstructed; the degree of light-obscuring capability of emissions of visible air contaminants expressed as a percentage. Complete obscuration is expressed as 100% opacity and complete transparency is expressed as 0% opacity.
OPAQUE
Not letting light pass through; not transparent.
OPAQUE BARRIER
A visual screening accomplished by way of vegetation, wall or fencing not exceeding the height standards set forth in Chapter 118, Fences, Walls and Hedges, of the Code.
PARK
A park, playground, recreation center or any other public area or green space in the Township owned or used by the Township and devoted to active or passive recreation.
PERSON(S)
An individual, partnership, corporation, association, institution, cooperative enterprise, municipal authority, federal government or agency, state institution or agency, or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties as well as owners, lessees and occupants of residences and commercial, industrial, municipal and institutional establishments. 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, commercial, industrial or institutional establishment or other legal entity having officers and directors.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT or PRD
An area of land, controlled by a landowner, to be developed as a single entity for a number of dwelling units or a combination of residential and nonresidential uses, the development plan for which does not correspond in lot size, bulk, type of dwelling or use, density or intensity, lot coverage and required open space to the regulations established in any one district created, from time to time, under the provisions of the Township Code.
PLASTIC CONTAINERS
Empty plastic food and beverage containers including recyclable plastic products.
PREMISES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Any premises open to the general public, whether publicly or privately owned and whether utilized for commercial, industrial, institutional, municipal or other public purposes. Property that is generally open and accessible to the general public.
PRIVATE
Of or pertaining to any building structure, premises, use or activity owned or operated by a person or nonpublic entity and not open to the public.
PRIVATE PREMISES
As used in this chapter, "private premises" shall mean all property which is not a public place and not open to the public, including but not limited to any house, building or other structure designed or used, either wholly or in part, for private residential purposes, whether inhabited or temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant, and shall include any yard, grounds, walk, driveway, porch, steps, vestibule or mailbox belonging or appurtenant to such dwelling, house, building or other structures.
PRIVATE RECYCLING CONTAINER
A recycling container situated on private premises, not open to the public and maintained for or used for private residential, commercial, industrial or institutional purposes.
PROCESSING
Any technology used for the purpose of reducing the volume or bulk of municipal or residual waste or any technology used to convert part or all of such waste materials for off-site reuse. Processing facilities include, but are not limited to, transfer facilities, composting facilities and resource recovery facilities.
PUBLIC
Of or pertaining to the people or community as a whole as well as any building, structure, use or activity owned or operated by any duly authorized state, county or local governmental entity, including locations open to a common use; for the use or benefit of all.
PUBLIC PLACE
As used in this subchapter, premises or property that is generally open and accessible to the general public; any place open to or frequented by the public, including but not limited to commercial, industrial, institutional, municipal or other public locations.
PUBLIC RECYCLING CONTAINER
A recycling container situated at a public place, open to the public and maintained for or used by the people of a community.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Materials generated by residences and commercial, industrial, municipal and institutional establishments, which are specified by the municipality and can be separated from municipal waste and returned to commerce to be reused as a resource in the development of useful products. Recyclable materials may include, but are not necessarily limited to, clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper, leaf waste, recyclable plastic products and any other items selected by the municipality or specified in future revisions to Act 101. Designated recyclable materials shall be selected by the municipality in its rules and regulations and may be revised from time to time as deemed necessary after public notice.
RECYCLABLE PLASTIC PRODUCTS
Recyclable plastic products are identified by a numerical code, within a triangle with arrows, molded directly on the container. The numerical code and the corresponding plastic composition are as follows:
Numerical Code
Plastic Composition
Typical Application
1
Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE)
Soda bottles
2
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Water bottles and milk jugs
3
Polyvinyl chloride
Plumbing
4
Low-density polyethylene
Film, stretch wrap
5
Polypropylene
Pediatric containers
6
Polystyrene
Styrofoam, plastic plates
7
Composite
Milk cartons
RECYCLING
The collection, separation, recovery and sale or reuse of metals, glass, paper, leaf waste, plastics and other materials which would otherwise be disposed or processed as municipal waste, or the mechanized separation and treatment of municipal waste (other than through combustion) and creation and recovery of reusable materials.
RECYCLING CONTAINER
Any recyclable container that a person controls, whether owned, leased or operated, including dumpsters, trash cans, including recyclable materials generated by residences and commercial, industrial, municipal and institutional establishments, which are specified by the municipality and can be separated from municipal waste and returned to commerce to be reused as a resource in the development of useful products. See also "refuse container or trash container."
REFUSE
All solid waste materials which are discarded as useless.
REFUSE CONTAINER or TRASH CONTAINER
Any waste container that a person controls, whether owned, leased or operated, including dumpsters, trash cans, recyclable containers, garbage pails and plastic trash bags. For purposes of this chapter, the words trash, garbage, rubbish, recyclable materials or other refuse shall be deemed to include the container or containers in which such trash, garbage, rubbish, recyclable materials or other refuse may be placed, and this chapter shall apply to such containers whether they may be filled or empty.
RESIDENCES
Any occupied single-family or multifamily dwellings having up to four dwelling units per structure, for which the municipality provides municipal waste collection service.
RESIDUAL WASTE
Any garbage, refuse, other discarded material or other waste, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials resulting from an industrial, mining or agricultural water supply treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility or air pollution control facility, provided that it is not hazardous. The term "residual waste" shall not include coal refuse as defined in the Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act, 52 P.S. ยงย 30.51 et seq. Residual waste shall not include treatment sludges from coal mine drainage treatment plants, disposal of which is being carried on pursuant to and in compliance with a valid permit issued pursuant to the Clean Streams Law, 35 P.S. ยงย 691.1 et seq.
RUBBISH
All nonputrescible municipal waste except garbage and other decomposable matter. This category includes but is not limited to ashes, bedding, cardboard, cans, crockery, glass, paper, wood and yard cleanings.
SCAVENGING
The unauthorized and uncontrolled sorting, gathering, collecting, extracting, removal, reclamation or disturbance of garbage, rubbish or refuse materials placed at the curb for collection or from a solid waste processing or disposal facility.
SCREEN
A method of reducing the impact of noise and unsightly vision intrusions with less offensive or more harmonious elements, such as plants, berms, fences, walls or any appropriate combination thereof.
SEWAGE TREATMENT RESIDUES
Any coarse screenings, grit and dewatered or air-dried sludges from sewage treatment plants and pumpings from septic tanks or septage which are a municipal solid waste and require proper disposal under Act 97.
SOLID WASTE
Any waste, including but not limited to municipal residual or hazardous wastes, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material.
SOURCE-SEPARATED RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Those materials separated at the point of origin for the purpose of being recycled.
STEEL CANS
The ferrous metal food or beverage containers commonly known as tin cans.
STORAGE
The containment of any waste on a temporary basis in such a manner as not to constitute disposal of such waste. It shall be presumed that the containment of any waste in excess of one year constitutes disposal. This presumption can be overcome by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
SUSTAINED PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM
The ongoing effort of Shaler Township to inform the general public concerning the requirements of this article and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant hereto.
TOWNSHIP BUILDING INSPECTOR
The person authorized to act as the building official, or any assistant to such person, who enforces the Township Zoning Ordinance.[1]
TRANSFER STATION
Any supplemental transportation facility used as an adjunct to solid waste route collection vehicles.
TRANSPORTATION
The off-site removal of any solid waste at any time after generation.
TRASH
Worthless or discarded materials or objects, as well as refuse or rubbish, and including but not limited to empty bottles and cans, cigarette butts as well as food wrappers and containers, whether made of aluminum, glass, plastic, rubber, paper or other natural or synthetic material, or any combination thereof.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, including devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
WASTE
A material whose original purpose has been completed and which is directed to a disposal or processing facility or is otherwise disposed. The term does not include source-separated recyclable materials or material approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for beneficial use.
YARD WASTE
All garden residues, leaves, shrubbery, tree trimmings and sod, but specifically excluding grass clippings.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 225, Zoning.
A.ย 
The Township of Shaler is hereby authorized and empowered to notify the owner and/or occupant of any open or vacant private premises or any occupied or unoccupied private or business premises within the Township, or the agent of such owner or occupant, to correct all things and any condition which in its opinion may have a tendency to imperil the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Township. Such notice shall be by certified mail, addressed to said owner and/or occupant at his last known address or served personally by the Township Building Inspector or his designee upon such owner or occupant.
B.ย 
Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of any owner or occupant so notified to correct the thing or condition which may have a tendency to imperil the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Township within three days after receipt of the written notice provided for in Subsection A above, or three days after the date of such notice in the event that the same is returned unserved, said Township Building Inspector or his designee is hereby authorized and empowered to order the correction of such condition using Township funds or Township personnel to accomplish such correction, and may charge the costs thereof to the violator. Collection of such costs by the Township may be made by lien or otherwise as authorized by law.