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City of Watertown, WI
Dodge / Jefferson County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (33) Index
This article shall be the "Recycling Ordinance for the City of Watertown."
The purpose of this article is to promote recycling, composting and resource recovery through the administration of an effective recycling program, as provided in § 287.11, Wis. Stats., and Ch. NR 544, Wis. Adm. Code.
This article is adopted as authorized under § 287.09(3)(b), Wis. Stats.
It is not intended by this article to repeal, abrogate, annul, impair or interfere with any existing rules, regulations, ordinances or permits previously adopted or issued pursuant to law. However, whenever this article imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this article shall apply.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this article shall be held to be the minimum requirements and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other power granted by the Wisconsin Statutes. Where any terms or requirements of this article may be inconsistent or conflicting, the more restrictive requirements or interpretation shall apply. Where a provision of this article is required by Wisconsin Statutes or by a standard in Ch. NR 544, Wis. Adm. Code, and where the article provision is unclear, the provision shall be interpreted in light of the Wisconsin Statutes and the Chapter NR 544 standards in effect on the date of the adoption of this article or in effect on the date of the most recent text amendment to this article.
The requirements of this article shall apply to all persons, businesses and other legal entities within the corporate City limits of the City of Watertown, Wisconsin.
The provisions of this article shall be administered by the appropriate City officials of the City of Watertown.
The provisions of this article shall take effect on March 15, 1994, for all areas in the City served by curbside collection as of that date. As the curbside collection is expanded within the City, the new areas shall then be covered by this article. Total compliance for every person or business within the City shall be obtained no later than December 31, 1994.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BIMETAL CONTAINER
A container for carbonated or malt beverages that is made primarily of a combination of steel and aluminum.
CONTAINER BOARD
Corrugated paperboard used in the manufacture of shipping containers and related products.
FOAM POLYSTYRENE PACKAGING
Packaging made primarily from foam polystyrene that satisfies one of the following criteria:
A. 
Is designed for serving food or beverages.
B. 
Consists of loose particles intended to fill space and cushion the packaged article in a shipping container.
C. 
Consists of rigid materials shaped to hold and cushion the packaged article in a shipping container.
HDPE
High-density polyethylene, labeled by the SPI Code No. 2.
LDPE
Low-density polyethylene, labeled by the SPI Code No. 4.
MAGAZINES
Magazines and other materials printed on similar paper.
MAJOR APPLIANCE
A residential or commercial air conditioner, clothes dryer, clothes washer, dishwasher, freezer, microwave oven, oven, water heater, garbage compactor, refrigerator or stove.
MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING
A property containing five or more residential units, including those which are occupied seasonally.
NEWSPAPER
A newspaper and other materials printed on newsprint.
NONRESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES
Commercial, retail, industrial, institutional and governmental facilities and properties. This term does not include multiple-family dwellings.
OFFICE PAPER
High-grade printing and writing papers from offices in nonresidential facilities and properties. Printed white ledger and computer printout are examples of office paper generally accepted as high grade. This term does not include industrial process waste.
OTHER RESINS or MULTIPLE RESINS
Plastic resins labeled by the SPI Code No. 7.
PERSON
Includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, local governmental unit as defined in § 66.0131(1)(a), Wis. Stats., state agency or authority or federal agency.
PETE
Polyethylene terephthalate, labeled by the SPI Code No. 1.
PLASTIC CONTAINER
An individual, separate, rigid plastic bottle, can, jar or carton, except for a blister pack, that is originally used to contain a product that is the subject of a retail sale.
POST-CONSUMER WASTE
Solid waste other than solid waste generated in the production of goods; hazardous waste, as defined in § 291.01(7), Wis. Stats.; waste from construction and demolition of structures; scrap automobiles; or high-volume industrial waste, as defined in § 289.01(17), Wis. Stats.
PP
Polypropylene, labeled by the SPI Code No. 5.
PS
Polystyrene, labeled by the SPI Code No. 6.
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride, labeled by the SPI Code No. 3.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Includes lead acid batteries; major appliances; waste oil; yard waste; aluminum containers; corrugated paper or other container board; foam polystyrene packaging; glass containers; magazines; newspaper; office paper; rigid plastic containers, including those made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and other resins or multiple resins; steel containers; waste tires; and bimetal containers.
SOLID WASTE
Has the meaning specified in § 289.01(33), Wis. Stats.
SOLID WASTE FACILITY
Has the meaning specified in § 289.01(35), Wis. Stats.
SOLID WASTE TREATMENT
Any method, technique or process which is designed to change the physical, chemical or biological character or composition of solid waste. "Treatment" includes incineration.
WASTE TIRE
A tire that is no longer suitable for its original purpose because of wear, damage or defect.
YARD WASTE
Leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris and brush, including clean woody vegetative material no greater than six inches in diameter and three feet in length. This term does not include tree stumps.
Occupants of single-family and two-to-four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties shall separate the following materials from post-consumer waste:
A. 
Lead acid batteries.
B. 
Major appliances.
C. 
Waste oil.
D. 
Yard waste.
E. 
Aluminum containers.
F. 
Bimetal containers.
G. 
Corrugated paper or other container board.
H. 
Foam polystyrene packaging.
I. 
Glass containers.
J. 
Magazines.
K. 
Newspaper.
L. 
Office paper.
M. 
Rigid plastic containers made of PETE and HDPE (classified as No. 1 and No. 2, respectively), PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and other resins or multiple resins (classified as No. 3 through No. 7, respectively) will not be subject to this article.
[Amended by Ord. No. 09-24]
N. 
Steel containers.
O. 
Waste tires.
The separation requirements of § 446-10 do not apply to the following:
A. 
Occupants of single-family and two-to-four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties that send their post-consumer waste to a processing facility licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that recovers the materials specified in § 446-10 from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.
B. 
Solid waste which is burned as a supplemental fuel at a facility if less than 30% of the heat input to the facility is derived from the solid waste burned as supplemental fuel.
C. 
A recyclable material specified in § 446-10E through O for which a variance has been granted by the Department of Natural Resources under § 287.11(2m), Wis. Stats., or § NR 544.14, Wis. Adm. Code.
To the greatest extent practicable, the recyclable materials separated in accordance with § 446-10 shall be clean and kept free of contaminants such as food or product residue, oil or grease, or other nonrecyclable materials, including but not limited to household hazardous waste, medical waste and agricultural chemical containers. Recyclable materials shall be stored in a manner which protects them from wind, rain and other inclement weather conditions.
[Amended by Ord. No. 06-33]
Occupants of single-family and two-to-four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties shall manage lead acid batteries, major appliances, waste oil, waste tires and yard waste as follows:
A. 
Lead acid batteries will not be accepted by the City. All lead acid batteries must be taken to area retailers who sell vehicle batteries or to a salvage yard.
B. 
Major appliances with compressors will not be accepted by the City. Residents desiring to dispose of refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners must have the freon removed from those appliances by a state-certified contractor before the City will accept the appliance for pickup. If a resident places these items curbside for pickup, all doors on the equipment shall be removed and placed on the side of the equipment to prevent children from being injured by crawling into the equipment. Failure to remove the doors when placing those items on the curb shall be a violation of this Code and shall be punishable by a forfeiture of not less than $25 nor more than $100.
[Amended by Ord. No. 11-03]
C. 
Waste oil and tires shall not be picked up by the City in its curbside collection system. Waste oil may be delivered by residents to the City's Recycling Center in sealed, disposable containers, not larger than one gallon in capacity. These containers will be accepted by the Recycling Center. Residents desiring to dispose of tires shall do so through a tire dealer or private contractor. The City will not accept tires at its Recycling Center.
D. 
Yard waste consisting of grass clippings, leaves, twigs and branches less than six inches in diameter and under three feet in length and other organic yard materials shall be separated from refuse. Grass clippings, leaves, twigs and branches less than six inches in diameter and under three feet in length and other organic yard materials shall not be collected by the City, except during the fall season when leaves only may be placed out for collection in the tree border in a loose, neatly piled state. The City shall make a dropoff site available to City residents during posted hours from April to December of each year, depending upon weather and temperature conditions, at the discretion of the department head. The City will compost these materials south of the old City landfill on Boomer Street. All boxes or other containers used by City residents to transport the yard waste shall be removed by said persons immediately after depositing the contents thereof at the dropoff site. Plastic bags only may be disposed of at the dropoff site. If a citizen of Watertown is physically unable to deliver the materials referred to hereinabove at the dropoff site, due to a physical disability or due to lack of transportation, he or she may obtain a yearly permit from the City, to be issued between March 1 and April 1 of each year, at a cost as set by the Common Council and provided under separate fee schedule. The City will grant an exemption when no person in that individual household has a vehicle and/or a driver's license, or if the person presents a certification from his or her personal physician that he or she is unable to transport the material due to physical disability. Application for the exemption permit shall be obtained from the Street Department and, when returned, shall be granted by the Street Department after being approved by the Street Superintendent or his designee.
[Amended by Ord. No. 09-24; Ord. No. 11-03[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[Amended by Ord. No. 06-33]
Except as otherwise directed by the appropriate City officials, occupants of single-family and two-to-four-unit residences shall do the following for the preparation and collection of the separated materials specified in § 446-10E through O:
A. 
Citizens of the City who reside in one- to four-family residential units shall be provided one authorized recycling container per residential unit. All recyclable materials shall be prepared and collected as set forth below. Except as otherwise stated, all recyclable materials shall be commingled in said container. Such container shall be placed at the edge of the street or roadside in an area of easy accessibility no sooner than 12:00 noon on the day before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the designated day of pickup. Empty containers shall be removed before 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection. Recyclables that have been scattered by wind, animals, vandals or the like shall be the responsibility of the residents to retrieve properly.
[Amended by Ord. No. 08-10; Ord. No. 11-03]
B. 
Additional authorized recycling containers must be purchased from the City. Replacement of a damaged, lost or stolen recycling container must be purchased from the City. Any container other than the blue containers with the City of Watertown logo thereon shall not be permitted to be used for recycling collection.
C. 
If a resident is physically unable to place the recycling container at roadside, said container will be picked up near the residence. Certification of the disability will be made by the Health Officer.
D. 
Aluminum cans, foil and food trays shall be thoroughly cleaned or rinsed and placed in the recycling container for collection.
E. 
Bimetal containers shall be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed, and the labels removed, and then placed in the recycling container for collection.
F. 
Corrugated paper or other container board shall be free of debris, flattened, and placed inside the recycling container for collection.
G. 
Glass bottles and jars shall be cleaned and rinsed, and all metal and plastic caps and rings shall be removed, and then the items shall be placed unbroken in the recycling container for collection.
H. 
Dry magazines, catalogs, dry newspaper and newspaper advertisements, and dry office paper shall be placed inside the recycling container for collection.
I. 
Rigid plastic containers shall be prepared and collected as follows:
(1) 
Plastic containers made of PETE (No. 1), such as two-liter soda bottles, shall be rinsed and placed within the recycling container for collection. These plastic containers may be flattened to save space within the recycling container.
(2) 
Plastic containers made of HDPE (No. 2) such as milk jugs, food tubs and bottles containing detergent, etc., shall be rinsed and placed within the recycling container for collection. These plastic containers may be flattened to save space within the recycling container.
J. 
Each new residence which is a one- to four-family facility shall be provided with one City of Watertown authorized container.
[Amended by Ord. No. 08-10; Ord. No. 11-03]
K. 
Waste tires shall be delivered by the owner to a tire dealer or private contractor.
[Amended by Ord. No. 06-33]
A. 
Owners or designated agents of multiple-family dwellings shall do all of the following to recycle the materials specified in § 446-10E through O:
(1) 
Provide adequate, separate containers for the recyclable materials.
(2) 
Notify tenants in writing at the time of renting or leasing the dwelling and at least semiannually thereafter about the established recycling program and thereafter of any changes in the program.
(3) 
Provide for the collection of materials separated from the solid waste and for the delivery of the materials to a recycling facility.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(4) 
Notify tenants which materials are collected, how to prepare the materials in order to meet the processing requirements, collection methods or sites, locations and hours of operation, and a contact person or company, including a name, address and telephone number.
(5) 
The property owner is responsible for the proper containerizing, disposal and placement for all trash, garbage, recycling or other debris placed at the curb or property line by tenants and occupants of multiple-family dwellings for City collection services.
B. 
The requirements specified in Subsection A above do not apply to the owners or designated agents of multiple-family dwellings if the post-consumer waste generated within the dwelling is treated at a processing facility licensed by the Department of Natural Resources that recovers for recycling the materials specified in § 446-10E through O from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[Amended by Ord. No. 06-33; Ord. No. 13-22]
A. 
Owners or designated agents of businesses and institutional or other nonresidential facilities and properties shall do all of the following to recycle the materials specified in § 446-10E through O:
(1) 
Provide adequate, separate containers for the recyclable materials.
(2) 
Notify in writing, at least semiannually, all users, tenants and occupants of the properties about the recycling program and thereafter any changes that may occur in the program.
(3) 
Provide for the collection of materials separated from the solid waste by the users, tenants and occupants of their nonresidential facilities and properties and provide for the transportation and delivery of the materials to a recycling facility.
(4) 
Notify users, tenants and occupants which materials are collected, how to prepare materials in order to meet the processing requirements, collection methods or sites, locations and hours of operation, and a contact person or company, including a name, address and telephone number.
B. 
The requirements specified in Subsection A above do not apply to the owners or designated agents of businesses or institutional or other nonresidential facilities and properties if the post-consumer waste generated within the facility or property is treated at a processing facility licensed by the Department of Natural Resources that recovers for recycling the materials specified in § 446-10E through O from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.
[Amended by Ord. No. 06-33]
The title to recyclable material placed curbside for collection by the citizens of the City of Watertown or delivered to the Recycling Center within the City of Watertown shall transfer to the City of Watertown upon placement. Any person not authorized by the proper City officials to pick up said materials and who removes said materials from the residential recycling bins or from the Recycling Center shall be guilty of theft and subject to a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500.
[Amended by Ord. No. 06-33]
The City of Watertown will provide, for the use of its citizens living in one- to four-family dwelling units, a recycling center for the purpose of accepting, storing, marketing and transporting of recyclable waste as set forth herein. The citizens living in one- to four-family dwelling units may bring proper recyclable waste generated from their homes to such facility at such place and times as established hereafter by the City.