[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Polk as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-3-1980 by Ord. No. 1980-01]
The intent of this article is to:
A. 
Promote the general health, welfare and safety of the community;
B. 
Provide for the orderly disposal of garbage, trash, refuse, and the like;
C. 
Provide for the sanitation of the community by regulating the disposal of waste materials.
This article shall apply to the disposal of residential refuse by residents of Polk Township.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this article shall be declared invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this article, which shall remain in full force and effect, and for this purpose the provisions of this article are hereby declared to be severable.
A. 
Establishment. The governing body shall establish and maintain a depository for residential refuse at such location or locations within the Township as it may from time to time deem desirable.
B. 
Hours of operation. The governing body shall have the authority to establish, by resolution, the hours of operation of any depository established pursuant to Subsection A hereof. The hours of operation shall be posted in a conspicuous manner at all such depositories.
C. 
Employees. The governing body shall have the authority to hire and employ such personnel as it may deem necessary to operate the depository, enforce rules and regulations pertaining thereto, and to issue permits required under § 328-5 hereof.
D. 
Rules and regulations. The governing body shall have the power to adopt by resolution such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and appropriate to assure the orderly disposal of refuse at all depositories, including but not limited to types of containers, size of containers and prohibition of noxious, inflammable, radioactive or poisonous materials. All such rules and regulations shall be conspicuously posted at each depository.
A. 
Residential refuse permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person to place refuse at or near any Township refuse depository, unless such person displays a current refuse disposal permit issued pursuant to this article in the manner required hereunder.
B. 
Issuance of refuse disposal permit. The Administrator shall issue a refuse disposal permit upon receipt of a completed application and the required permit fee, only after it has been determined that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of this article. An issued permit shall be valid for a period of one year commencing April 1 through March 31 of the following year.
C. 
Application procedure. Application for a refuse disposal permit shall be in writing to the Administrator on such form as may be adopted by the governing body. Such application shall contain at least the following information:
(1) 
Name and address of applicant.
(2) 
Certification that applicant is a resident of Polk Township.
(3) 
Certification that applicant will not use the Township Refuse Depository for commercial waste disposal.
(4) 
Certification that applicant will abide by all rules and regulations governing use of Township Refuse Depository.
D. 
Permit fee.
[Amended 4-7-1980 by Ord. No. 1980-03]
(1) 
Applications for original and/or renewal permits shall be accompanied by a fee of $10 payable to the Township.
(2) 
One duplicate permit may be issued per family each year upon payment of an additional fee of $2 to the Township, provided said permit is for use only on a second family vehicle housed by applicant at his residence. As used herein, the term "family" shall include only members of the same household residing as one family unit.
E. 
Replacement permits. The Administrator shall issue replacement permits, for good cause, upon the payment of $1. Said permit shall expire on the first March 31 following the date of the issuance of the replacement permit.
F. 
Renewal of permits. The Administrator shall, upon receipt of a duly completed application and the appropriate fee, issue renewal permit for an additional period of one year, provided the Administrator is satisfied that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of this article at the time that each such renewal application is filed.
G. 
Display of permits. The permit shall be displayed on the rear bumper on applicant's motor vehicle in a conspicuous manner. In the event that applicant's motor vehicle is not equipped with a rear bumper, then the permit shall be displayed on the rear of applicant's vehicle in a conspicuous manner.
H. 
Form of permits. The governing body shall have the authority to select, designate and design the form of the permit. The governing body may change the color, size or form of the permit from year to year.
A. 
Prohibited activities. No person shall:
(1) 
Dispose materials at any depository in violation of posted rules and regulations.
(2) 
Dispose materials in, at or near any depository at any time when said depository is not open.
(3) 
Dispose materials at any depository without displaying a current permit in the manner required hereunder.
(4) 
Use the depository for the disposal of nonresidential refuse or for commercial or industrial purposes.
B. 
Violation. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this article, shall, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding before an appropriate Magisterial District Judge, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300 and costs of prosecution for each violation thereof and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, to imprisonment of not more than 30 days.
C. 
Permit revocation. After any permit has been issued by the Administrator and it shall thereafter appear that the terms and conditions of the permit have been violated, or that any of the statements set forth in the application are false or incorrect or incomplete in a material respect, the governing body shall, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, have the power to revoke said permit.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADMINISTRATOR
The person authorized by the governing body to enforce the provisions of this article, review permit applications, issue permits and collect fees.
DEPOSITORY
A dumping station for the collection of residential refuse as established by the governing body.
GOVERNING BODY
The Board of Supervisors of Polk Township.
PERMIT
A refuse disposal permit issued by or on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of the Township pursuant to this article, enabling the holder to dispose refuse at a Township Depository in accordance with the provisions of this article.
REPLACEMENT PERMIT
A permit issued to replace a previously issued permit prior to the expiration date thereof, when such original permit has been lost, damaged or destroyed.
RESIDENTIAL REFUSE
Trash, garbage, ashes and refuse materials generated by families or persons within the Township.
TOWNSHIP
Polk Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
[Adopted 6-23-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-03]
This article is enacted pursuant to the Solid Waste Management Act, P.L. 380, No. 97, July 7, 1980, as amended,[1] and the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, No. 101, July 28, 1988, as amended.[2]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.101 et seq.
A. 
All domestic, commercial, institutional and industrial recyclables accumulated upon any property within Polk Township shall be collected and removed at curbside, roadside or similar location on the premises by an authorized collector. Alternatively, Polk Township operates a recycling facility. Residents may bring recyclables as defined herein to the center in compliance with this article. Waste shall be disposed of in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Act.
B. 
This article shall provide a mandatory recycling program and govern all aspects of the collection, storage, transportation, processing and disposal of municipal solid waste in Polk Township. It contains regulations applicable to collectors of municipal waste, collectors of recyclables, individuals, commercial, municipal and institutional establishments, and community activities.
The purpose of this article is to establish a program for the mandatory source separation and separate collection of designated recyclable materials from residences and properties receiving municipal waste collection service from or on behalf of the Township of Polk for recycling purposes; to prohibit the disposal of designated recyclable materials into the conventional municipal waste disposal system; to empower the Township to promulgate and adopt reasonable rules and regulations therefor, and to fix penalties for violation of this article.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
AGENT
One who performs an act for his immediate family or for another person gratuitously (without any form of monetary or material compensation therefor).
ALUMINUM CANS
Empty all-aluminum beverage and food containers.
AUTHORITY
The Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority, or other municipal authority incorporated by the county and organized and existing under the Pennsylvania Municipality Authorities Act, as amended, 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 5601 et seq., for the purpose of regulating the collection and/or disposal of solid waste and recyclables in the county.
AUTHORIZED COLLECTOR
A collector of municipal wastes and recyclables, including leaf materials, licensed and approved by the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority (MCMWMA).
BIMETALLIC CANS
Empty food or beverage containers consisting of both steel and aluminum.
BULK ITEMS
Any large durable goods such as refrigerators, washing machines, window air conditioners, hot water heaters, dishwashers, and any other major home appliances, in addition to other large bulk items, such as dressers, beds, mattresses, sofas, television sets, and other large household items.
COMMERCIAL
Of or pertaining to any wholesale, retail, industrial, manufacturing, transportation, or financial or professional service or office enterprise, business or establishment.
COMMINGLE or COMMINGLED RECYCLABLES
Recyclables mingled or blended together, placed in the same container.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
Events sponsored in whole or in part by a municipality, or conducted within a municipality and sponsored privately, which include but are not limited to fairs, bazaars, socials, picnics, and organized sporting events that will be attended by 200 or more individuals per day.
COMPOSTING
The process of the biological decomposition of organic solid waste being biologically decomposed under controlled anaerobic or aerobic conditions to yield a humus-like product.
CORRUGATED PAPER
Structural paper material with an inner core shaped in rigid parallel furrows and ridges, of the type normally used to make packing cartons and boxes.
CURBSIDE
That location at the edge of any lot, parcel or piece of land adjacent to a public right-of-way or roadway, and which location is most accessible and/or convenient to any authorized collector for the purpose of collecting municipal waste and/or recyclables.
DEPARTMENT
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DISPOSAL
The incineration, deposition, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking or placing of municipal waste into or on the land or water in a manner such that the municipal waste or a constituent thereof enters the environment, is emitted into the air, or is discharged to the waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
DOMESTIC
Recyclable materials generated by persons in residential establishments, including residential subdivisions and residential developments.
GARBAGE
All putrescible animal and vegetable matter resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
GLASS CONTAINERS
All empty food and beverage jars or bottles, the product being transparent or translucent (clear, green or brown). Expressly excluded are noncontainer glass, window or plate glass, light bulbs, blue glass and porcelain and ceramic products.
HIGH-GRADE PAPER
Bond, copier, letterhead or mimeograph paper typically sold as "white ledger" paper and computer paper.
INSTITUTIONAL
Of or pertaining to any establishment engaged in service to persons, including but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, universities, churches, and social or fraternal societies and organizations.
LANDLORD
The owner of residential property or such owner's authorized agent.
LEAF WASTE
Leaf waste from trees, bushes and other plants, garden residue, shrubbery, pine needles, pinecones, natural Christmas trees, and tree trimmings and similar materials, but not including grass clippings.
LICENSED COLLECTOR
See "authorized collector."
MAGAZINES
Printed matter, also known as "periodicals," containing miscellaneous written pieces published at fixed or varying intervals, printed on glossy or chemically coated paper. Expressly excluded are newspapers and all other paper products of any nature whatsoever.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
A type of residential property either under single ownership or organized as a condominium or cooperative form of housing, which contains four or more dwelling units.
MUNICIPAL
Of or pertaining to any office or other property under the control of any branch or arm of the federal government of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including but not limited to Polk Township, any counties, cities, boroughs, townships, and municipal authorities.
MUNICIPAL WASTE
Any garbage, refuse, industrial, lunchroom or office waste and other materials, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material, resulting from operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments, or from community activities, and which are not classified as residual or hazardous waste, except farm-produced manure, other agricultural waste, and food processing waste used on land, where such materials will improve the condition of the soil, the growth of crops, or the restoration of the land for the same purposes, and any sludge not meeting the definition of "residual or hazardous waste," as defined in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act.[1] The term does not include source-separated recyclable materials or leaf waste.
MUNICIPAL WASTE LANDFILL
Any facility that is designed, operated, used and/or maintained for the disposal of municipal waste. The term shall not include any facility that is used exclusively for disposal of construction/demolition waste or sludge from sewage treatment plants or water supply treatment plants.
NEWSPRINT
Paper of the type commonly referred to as "newspaper" and distributed at fixed or stated intervals, usually daily or weekly, having printed thereon news and opinions and containing advertising inserts, magazines, glossy or other chemically coated paper, office paper, and any other paper products of any nature.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, institution, cooperative enterprise, municipality, 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. 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.
PLAN
The Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Plan, as now or hereinafter amended.
PLASTIC CONTAINERS
Empty plastic food and beverage containers, the specific types of which are:
A. 
PET (e.g., soft drink bottles).
B. 
HDPE (e.g., milk and water jugs, detergent and shampoo bottles).
C. 
Other such plastic as may be designated by resolution of the Polk Township Supervisors.
POLK TOWNSHIP RECYCLING FACILITY
The facility operated by Polk Township to which residents may bring recyclables in compliance with this article.
POLK TOWNSHIP TRANSFER STATION
The transfer station operated by Polk Township to which municipal waste may be brought in compliance with this article.
PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATION
A business or association of homeowners within a community whose principal purpose is to ensure the provision of and maintenance of community facilities and services for the common benefit of the residents, including arranging for solid waste and recycling services.
RECYCLABLES
Materials designated as "recyclable" in this article or required by the terms of this article (or any amendment hereto) to be kept separate from municipal waste and recycled. The term includes leaf waste.
RECYCLING FACILITY
A facility employing a technology and/or a process that separates or classifies municipal waste and creates or recovers reusable materials that can be sold to or reused by a manufacturer as a substitute for or a supplement to virgin raw materials. The term "recycling facility" shall not mean transfer stations or landfills for solid waste nor composting facilities or resource recovery facilities. The term does not include:
A. 
Any composting facility.
B. 
Methane gas extraction from a municipal waste landfill.
C. 
Any separation and collection center, dropoff point or collection center for recycling, or any source-separation or collection center for composting leaf waste.
RESIDENTIAL
Of or pertaining to any dwelling unit used as a place of human habitation and which is not a commercial, municipal, institutional or community activity. Home occupations incidental to the residential use within a building are considered residential.
RUBBISH
Solid waste exclusive of garbage (e.g., nonrecyclable glass, metal, paper or plastic) and noncompostable plant material, wood or nonputrescible solid waste.
STEEL CANS
Empty food or beverage containers made of steel, tin-coated steel or other ferrous metal food or beverage containers.
STORAGE
The containment of any municipal waste on a temporary basis in such a manner as not to constitute disposal of such municipal waste. It shall be presumed that the containment of any municipal waste in excess of one year constitutes disposal. This presumption may be overcome only by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
TOWNSHIP
Polk Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
TRANSFER STATION
A facility which receives and processes or temporarily stores municipal or residual waste at a location other than the generation site and which facilitates the transportation or transfer of municipal or residual waste to a processing or disposal facility. The term includes a facility that uses a method or technology to convert part or all of such waste materials for off-site refuse. The term does not include a collection or processing center that is only for source-separated recyclable materials, including clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper and plastic. Nor does the term include the centrally designated location of a development where agents of the lot owners have gathered the waste from the development for collection by authorized collectors.
TRANSPORTATION
The removal from any site or location of any municipal waste or recyclable materials at any time after generation thereof.
WASTE
A material whose original purpose has been completed and which is directed to a disposal or processing facility or is otherwise disposed of. The term does not include source-separated recyclable materials, leaves or material approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for beneficial use.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to store, dump, discard or deposit, or to permit the storage, dumping, discarding or depositing of, any municipal waste or recyclables upon the surface of the ground or underground within the Township, except in proper containers for purposes of storage or collection, and except where the waste or recyclables are of such size or shape as not to permit their being placed in such containers. It shall be unlawful for any person to dump or deposit any municipal waste or recyclables or leaf waste in any stream, body of water or on any public right-of-way within the Township.
B. 
Every owner of property or occupant thereof responsible for the property's day-to-day operation or maintenance shall pick up and discard in any appropriate receptacle any municipal waste, recyclables or other debris and place same at the curbside location or on the sidewalk or gutter in front of or adjacent to his/her property. All owners or operators of commercial, institutional and municipal establishments in the Township shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent the deposit and accumulation of debris on their premises.
C. 
Nothing contained herein shall prohibit a duly constituted property owners' association or corporation from assembling municipal waste or recyclables at a central, accessible location, provided such activities are conducted and confined within the boundaries of that real estate development or subdivision, as defined herein, lawfully recorded and recognized as such.
D. 
Nothing contained herein shall prohibit a farmer from carrying out the normal activities of his farming operation, including composting and spreading of manure or other farm-produced agricultural waste, provided such activities are conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
E. 
Bulk containers shall not be permitted to overflow or to have waste strewn or left about them on the ground. A violation of this provision shall be deemed a violation of this article by the person on whose property the bulk container is located, if it is located on private property.
F. 
No waste or recyclables shall be allowed to accumulate on the ground or be disposed of on highways, Township roads, vacant lots or other property, nor be thrown in any stream or other body of water.
A. 
No person shall ignite, cause, feed, permit or maintain any open fire for the destruction of solid waste recyclables designated in this article on any property under his or her control, except as hereinafter provided.
B. 
Exceptions to open-burning prohibition:
(1) 
A fire set to prevent or abate a fire hazard, when approved by the Department of Environmental Protection's Regional Air Quality Program office and set by or under the supervision of a public officer.
(2) 
A fire set for the purpose of burning, clearing and grubbing waste. If within an air basin, an air curtain destructor must be used and must be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection's Regional Air Quality Program office.
(3) 
Nothing contained herein shall prohibit a farmer from carrying out the normal activities of his farming operations, provided such activities are conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
(4) 
A fire set solely for cooking food, outdoor campfires and small bonfires for ceremonies or recreation are allowed, provided they do not cause a nuisance.
(5) 
No open burning shall occur during any fire ban emergency declared pursuant to this provision.
(6) 
Persons responsible for any large fires are encouraged to contact the Polk Township Fire Department and provide the time and location of the fire.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
C. 
Although open burning of leaf waste is not prohibited, it is strongly discouraged by the Township.
D. 
The Township will establish an area for residents to drop off leaf waste for composting. This area will be open to all Polk Township residents. Polk Township residents are encouraged to drop off their leaf waste at the Township designated location. Contractors and/or landscapers are prohibited from dropping leaf waste at the Township site.
A. 
Persons shall separate clear, green and brown glass containers, aluminum; steel and bimetallic cans, plastic containers, and newsprint from other municipal waste generated at their homes, apartments and other residential establishments and shall store such materials until collection.
(1) 
As noted herein below in § 328-30, leaf waste shall be kept separate from other municipal waste.
(2) 
Nothing in this article or regulation shall be deemed to impair the ownership of separated materials by the person who generated them unless and until such materials are placed at curbside or similar location for collection.
B. 
Persons shall separate leaf waste from other municipal waste generated at their homes, apartments and other residential establishments until collection, unless those persons have otherwise provided for the composting of leaf waste. An owner, landlord or agent of an owner or landlord of multifamily rental housing with four or more units or the residents of multifamily residential properties acting by and through a duly constituted property owners' association may comply with this section by establishing a collection system for recyclable materials at each property, as noted herein below in § 328-31. Nothing herein shall require any person to gather leaf waste or prevent any person from utilizing leaf waste for compost, mulch, or other agricultural purposes.
C. 
Persons shall separate high-grade office paper, clear brown and green glass containers, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, plastic containers, newsprint, corrugated paper and leaf waste generated at commercial, municipal or institutional establishments and from community activities and shall store the material until collection.
D. 
Persons occupying commercial, institutional and municipal establishments within Township borders shall be exempt from the requirements of this article or regulation if those persons have otherwise provided for the recycling of materials they are required by this section to recycle. To be eligible for an exemption under this subsection, a commercial or institutional solid waste generator must annually provide written documentation to the municipality of the total number of tons recycled.
A. 
For residential properties, all recyclables which are required to be kept separate from municipal waste and shall be placed at curbside or some appropriate location on the premises designated by the authorized collector to be collected at times designated by the authorized collector or agent. The preparation for collection of recyclable materials shall be made in accordance with the instructions provided by the authorized collector and which are consistent with the terms of this article. The frequency of such collection shall be once a month. Each authorized collector shall identify and inform his customers of the designated week of each month which separated recyclable materials are to be placed at the curbside, or similar location on the premises, for collection.
NOTE: Week to be determined after consultation with collectors.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
An owner, landlord or agent of an owner or landlord of multifamily residential housing properties with four or more units or the residents of multifamily residential properties acting by and through a duly constituted property owners' association who may contract with an authorized collector and aggregate municipal waste or recycling collection points, shall establish a collection system for recyclable materials at each property and pickup by an authorized collector.
(1) 
The collection system must include suitable containers for collection and sorting materials, easily accessible locations for the containers, and written instructions to the occupants or residents concerning the use and availability of the collection system.
(2) 
Owners, landlords, agents of an owner or property owners' associations shall complete a form to be designated "Recycling Report," to be provided by the Township. Each such quarterly report shall be submitted on or before the last day of the first month of each quarter for the preceding quarter. Quarters shall run on a calendar-year basis thus: January through March; April through June; July through September; and October through December. Such owners, landlords, agents and homeowners' associations may comply with the reporting requirements hereunder by requiring their municipal waste collector to provide said documentation and certification directly to the Township.
(3) 
Owners, landlords and agents of owners or landlords who comply with the aforementioned requirements shall not be liable for the noncompliance of occupants of their building.
C. 
Alternatively, to comply with this article, recyclables may be brought to the Polk Township recycling facility. The Township may charge a fee for use of the recycling center.
A. 
All recyclables which are required to be kept separate from municipal waste in commercial, municipal and institutional establishments and community activities shall either be delivered directly to a recycling center or shall be picked up by an authorized collector separately from municipal waste in a prearranged manner. Commercial, municipal and institutional establishments and community activities shall establish a collection system for recyclable materials at each property and pickup by an authorized collector. Commercial, municipal and institutional establishments and community activities shall not place recyclables within or near the public right-of-way for curbside collection, such curbside collection being intended solely for the placement of recyclables generated in residential properties other than multifamily housing properties.
B. 
Commercial, municipal and institutional establishments.
(1) 
The collection system must include suitable containers for collection and sorting materials, easily accessible locations for the containers, and written instructions to the occupants or residents concerning the use and availability of the collection system.
(2) 
Commercial, municipal and institutional establishments shall complete a quarterly recycling report form to be designated "Recycling Report," to be provided by the Township, together with copies of all weigh slips, indicating the weight and types of all recyclables collected. Each such quarterly report shall be submitted on or before the last day of the first month of each quarter for the preceding quarter. Quarters shall run on a calendar-year basis thus: January through March; April through June; July through September; and October through December. Such commercial, municipal and institutional establishments may comply with the reporting requirements hereunder by requiring their authorized collector to provide said documentation and certification directly to the Township.
C. 
Community activities.
(1) 
Community activities shall have provisions for recycling containers to, at a minimum, collect commingled (aluminum, glass and plastic) beverage containers. The sponsor of the event shall be responsible for providing the containers and collection and transport by an authorized collector for these events.
(2) 
The sponsor shall provide shall complete a form to be designated "Recycling Report," to be provided by the Township together with copies of all weigh slips, indicating the weight and types of all recyclables collected and the place of disposition of materials recycled. Reports shall be provided within 30 days of the event. Such persons may comply with the reporting requirements hereunder by requiring their municipal waste collector to provide said documentation and certification directly to the Township. Community activity recycling shall be reported independently of normal routine weekly pickups at the location.
All collectors shall submit to the Township a quarterly recycling report, form to be designated "Recycling Report," together with copies of all weigh slips, indicating the weight and types of all recyclables collected within the Township. Each such quarterly report shall be submitted on or before the last day of the first month of each quarter for the preceding quarter. Quarters shall run on a calendar-year basis thus: January through March; April through June; July through September; and October through December.
From the time of placement of residentially generated recyclable items for collection in accordance with the terms of this article, the items shall be and become the property of the authorized collector. It shall be a violation of this article for any unauthorized person to collect or pick up or cause to be collected or picked up any such items. Any and each such collection in violation hereof from one or more locations shall constitute a separate and distinct offense punishable as hereinafter provided.
The presence of any articles containing a person's name among municipal waste and recyclables shall create a rebuttable presumption, for purposes of this article, that said municipal waste or recyclables are, or were, the property of the person whose name is found therein.
Any person accumulating or storing municipal waste or recyclables on private or public property within the Township, including recyclables assembled within a property owners' association, for any purpose whatsoever, shall place the same, or cause the same to be placed, in a closed or covered sanitary container, in accordance with the following standards:
A. 
Containers used for the storage of municipal waste shall be of plastic or metal construction, equipped with lids, and waterproof. All such containers shall be approved by the Township.
B. 
No person, except the occupants of the property on which a waste container is placed, an authorized collector, the Township Zoning Officer or such other person as the Township may designate, and/or a duly authorized agent or representative of a property owners' association or corporation recognized as such by the Township, shall remove the lids of the container and/or remove the contents thereof.
C. 
All recyclables will be placed in the above-mentioned containers. Prior to such placement, all containers shall be rinsed and cleaned prior to placement in the recycling container for curbside pickup.
A. 
Mandatory municipal waste collection services. Every owner or occupant of residential homes, apartments, and other residential establishments shall contract with an individual, entity or firm that is an authorized collector to have all municipal waste generated on the premises by any of the occupants removed and deposited at a permitted facility on a weekly basis or more often.
B. 
Scheduled collection days for municipal waste. Authorized collectors shall schedule collection days at least once per week during which municipal waste is to be placed at the curbside, or similar location on the premises, for collection.
C. 
Authorized collectors shall be responsible to distribute recycling information outlining program details to each customer twice annually, once every six months, compliant with the requirements of the Township and Act 101. A copy of said information shall be provided to the Township at the time of distribution.
D. 
Authorized collectors contracted for residential municipal waste collection shall offer a variable rate pricing, a base price for specified number of thirty-gallon containers of municipal waste. Collection of municipal waste in excess of the base amount shall be priced on specified incremental volumes or per thirty-gallon container.
E. 
Proof of contract required. Whenever requested by the Township, the owner or occupant of any residential establishment shall present proof, adequate in the judgment of the Township, that the owner or occupant of said residential establishment has a current contract with an authorized collector to dispose of municipal waste generated on the premises on a weekly basis or more often. The owner or occupant of the premises shall have 72 hours to provide proof to the Township that the owner or occupant has a current contract with an authorized collector to provide sufficient service to satisfy the terms and conditions of this article.
F. 
Duties of collectors. Any authorized collector picking up municipal waste in the Township shall be required to advise the Township in writing, within 72 hours after request from the Township, as to whether an owner or occupant has a current contract for municipal waste disposal from his/her premises. Further, all authorized collectors shall cooperate with the Township in providing information in the event that an action is taken to enforce the terms and conditions of this article.
G. 
If persons or establishments, being so authorized by the terms hereof, collect and remove their own municipal waste and/or recyclables, they shall do so at a minimum of once weekly for municipal waste and at least once per month for source-separated recyclables and leaf waste, or more often as necessary, in order to prevent odors, vectors or accumulations of refuse or garbage that are unsafe, unsightly or potentially harmful to the public health. Any municipal waste so removed shall be disposed of in accordance with the requirements of this article.
H. 
No person other than an authorized collector shall collect or remove municipal waste or recyclables from any other person's property, unless otherwise provided for herein. All agreements for collection, transportation and disposition of municipal waste and/or recyclables shall be by private contract between the owner and/or occupant of the property where the material is generated or on their behalf by a properly authorized property owners' association and the collector who is authorized to collect the same.
I. 
Nothing herein shall limit the right of the Township to implement public collection of solid waste and/or recyclables either by entering into contracts or by engaging in any collection practice permitted by law.
J. 
Nothing in this section shall modify the requirements in this article pertaining to the separation and collection of recyclables.
K. 
The Township operates a transfer station for the collection of municipal waste. This article may be complied with respect to municipal waste by purchasing a permit from the Township which authorizes the holder to bring municipal waste to the Polk Township transfer station.
A. 
All authorized collectors shall prevent or remedy any spillage or leakage from vehicles or containers used in the transport of municipal waste as well as recyclables.
B. 
All authorized collectors of municipal waste and source-separated recyclables shall collect and remove municipal waste as well as source-separated recyclables in motor-driven vehicles having enclosed, leakproof bodies with covers made of such materials as to prevent the contents from escaping.
C. 
The transfer of waste or source-separated recyclables from one collection vehicle to another may not take place in the Township, except on private property in those areas of the Township designated for such by the Township, if any. No such transfer may take place on any public right-of-way, and no such transfer operation may block traffic, create litter or in any other manner constitute a nuisance, create a health hazard or violate any other ordinance of the Township, provision of statutory law or the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority's rules and regulations.
The Township is hereby authorized to collect municipal waste and/or recyclables to include leaf waste from Township property, to provide public litter baskets in the Township, and to dispose of such waste in either a receptacle of an authorized collector or at designated disposal sites.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, except for litter control and/or roadside cleanup personnel and others duly authorized, to collect and to transport waste of any nature or recyclables within or from the Township. Authorization to collect, transport and dispose of municipal waste and/or recyclables for persons other than oneself or persons for whom one is acting as an agent shall be licensed and approved by the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority.
B. 
All authorized collectors shall have an affirmative duty to follow and conduct themselves in accordance with their current license or permit and to service each of their customers in accordance with their current license or permit and the requirements of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988, as amended,[1] the Solid Waste Management Act of 1980, as amended,[2] and the Waste Transportation Safety Act of 2002, as amended.[3]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 27 Pa.C.S.A. § 6201 et seq.
Any person granted a license or permit pursuant to the terms of this article shall not in any manner be construed as an agent, servant or employee of Polk Township, but shall, at all times, be considered and remain an independent contractor. Likewise, no property owners' association or corporation which assembles municipal waste or recyclables within a development shall be construed as an agent, servant or employee of Polk Township.
All authorized collectors shall establish rates to be charged for the removal of municipal waste and source-separated recyclables; no person or entity shall be permitted to opt out of either municipal waste collection or source-separated recyclable collection. The rate charged must be for both services. All authorized collectors shall enter into individual or separate contracts with each household or occupant of the premises without liability to or upon Polk Township.
Each authorized collector shall dispose of municipal waste as well as source-separated recyclables and leaf waste at a licensed and approved disposal and/or recycling facility as approved by the MCMWMA.
Every authorized collector shall be required to provide, in addition to municipal waste removal, to its residential, multifamily, commercial, municipal and institutional customers, the service of removing recyclables, from their properties at the curbside or an appropriate location on the premises, with a single fee charged for both municipal waste and recyclable collection services so provided. Any such recyclables so removed by authorized collectors shall be kept separate from municipal waste and shall be taken to a recycling or compost facility for the purpose of recycling as provided herein.
The Township reserves the right, by resolution, to direct recyclables to a designated facility. The Township operates a recycling facility to which recyclables may be brought in compliance with this article.
No authorized collector shall accept, pick up or remove any bag or other container of municipal waste which the collector knows, or has reason to believe, contains recyclables, combined with municipal waste, placed at curbside or otherwise placed for pickup. The collector shall issue warning notices of violations to customers failing to comply with procedures for the separation, storage and collection of recyclable materials and leaf waste and provide a copy of any such warning to the Township.
No person shall terminate the services of an authorized collector because of said collector's compliance with the rules and regulations of this article.
In the event that any authorized collector misses a collection, the authorized collector shall collect from the missed location within 24 hours of notification from the missed person, provided that the person has abided by the terms of the contract with the authorized collector.
A. 
All complaints regarding the collection of municipal waste and/or recyclables shall initially be reported to the authorized collector. Any complaint that the authorized collector fails to resolve shall be reported, in writing, to the Township.
B. 
The Township Board of Supervisors shall have the right to investigate all complaints and to determine the validity of any complaints received from any person as to the failure of an authorized collector's failure to act in accordance with this article.
Nothing contained herein shall impair or prohibit any recognized civic, fraternal, charitable or benevolent organization, association or society from undertaking or sponsoring voluntary programs or projects involving the collection of recyclables from the public. Any such collection activity can only occur prior to the recyclable materials being placed at curbside or similar location for collection by an authorized collector. Prior to initiating such activity, the organization shall obtain authorization from the Township.
A. 
Any person, as defined herein, who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, and, in default of payment of said fine, costs and attorneys' fees, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Each day that a violation of this article continues, or each section of this article which shall be found to have been violated, shall constitute a separate offense.
C. 
For the purposes of this article, the doing of an act or thing prohibited by any provision of this article or the failure to do any act or thing to which any provision of this article creates an affirmative duty shall constitute a violation of this article, punishable as herein stated.
D. 
Polk Township Zoning Officer or such other person as the Township may designate shall be responsible for enforcement of this article.
A. 
The various headings used throughout this article are intended only as an aid in its organization, in order to facilitate ease of reading, and are not to be considered a substantive part of this article.
B. 
In this article, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular shall include the plural; the plural shall include the singular; and the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter.