[Code 1968, § 8-603]
It is the intent of the City Council that this article be liberally construed for the purpose of providing a sanitary and satisfactory method of preparation, collection and disposal of solid waste and recyclable materials, as well as the maintenance of public and private property in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition, for the health, safety and welfare of the City, and to provide for a reasonable system of user fees to defray the cost incurred by the City in collecting and administering waste removal. The City Council recognizes that in order to conserve our natural resources, as well as to control the ever increasing cost of solid waste disposal, that the separation, collection and/or sale of recyclable materials, yard waste and household hazardous waste will reduce the amount of solid waste to be disposed of, reduce the cost of land filling solid waste, extend the life of the existing and future landfills and protect and conserve our limited natural resources. All citizens are encouraged to voluntarily recycle and to make use of the facilities therefor provided by the City and/or contracted services. Upon approval of the City Council, the City Manager and his agents are authorized to make such rules and regulations as appear to be necessary from time to time to carry out the intent of this article; provided, however, that such rules are not in direct conflict with this Code or the laws of the state.
[Code 1968, § 8-604]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ALUMINUM
All products made of aluminum, including aluminum cans, foil, wrappers, containers for prepared dinners or other foods, screen frames and lawn chairs, excluding redeemable aluminum cans.
BRUSH
Small trees and shrubs.
BUILDING
A structure used, in whole or in part, for human habitation, manufacturing, sales or another purpose.
BULK RUBBISH
Rubbish, such as cardboard containers, wooden crates and similar rubbish, which cannot readily be placed in an approved container or bag.
CITY DESIGNATED WASTE OR RECYCLABLE COLLECTION AND TRANSFER FACILITY
A facility which the City has identified from time to time as an approved location for the collection and transfer of all or some of the following: solid waste, yard waste, household hazardous waste and recycling.
CITY SOLID WASTE TAG
A tag sold by the City or its designees which may be attached to an acceptable solid waste container for the purpose of solid waste collection. Solid waste tags shall be of a distinctive color or material, and printed with a City seal or other appropriate words which indicate the acceptable containers contain solid waste.
CITY YARD WASTE BAG
A bag which has been specifically identified by the City and/or waste hauler as a suitable container for the purpose of yard waste collection.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Property classified by the City's zoning ordinance, Chapter 40 of this Code, and/or the state as a nonindustrial business. Residential income property which has more than three units is considered a commercial establishment for the purpose of this article.
COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE
The miscellaneous waste material resulting from the operation of mercantile enterprises, including garbage and rubbish and excluding all hazardous waste.
COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
Solid waste pickup from all commercial, business, institutional, condominium development and multiunit residential establishments which consist of three or more dwelling units.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
Waste from buildings, streets or other construction, alteration or repair, including dirt from excavations.
DEMOLITION DEBRIS
Refuse which is incidental to the demolition of buildings, other structures or appurtenances on a premise.
DESIGNATED COLLECTOR
A permitted collector who has been issued a contract from the City to collect and dispose of solid waste, yard waste, recycling and household hazardous waste.
DOMESTIC SOLID WASTE
The waste materials resulting from the usual routine of housekeeping, including garbage and rubbish and excluding all hazardous waste.
DWELLING UNIT
The same as Residential unit.
GARBAGE
All animal, fish, fowl, fruit or vegetable waste incidental to the use, preparation and storage of food for human consumption. This term does not include food processing wastes from canneries, slaughterhouses and packinghouses, or hazardous waste.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Any material that has been identified by state or federal regulation to be unsuitable for disposal in a type II sanitary landfill or its state certified equivalent. (See Household hazardous waste for a clear definition of those items included in this category).
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Those items and/or materials that have been designated by state and federal authorities as typical household usage by-products, and which can be disposed of through the City's household hazardous waste collection system.
INDUSTRIAL SOLID WASTE
All waste materials resulting from industrial or manufacturing operations or processes of every nature, including organic wastes from canneries, slaughterhouses, packinghouses and other industrial food processing operations. This term includes refuse material resulting from cleaning up in connection with such industrial or manufacturing operations, and refuse material resulting from offices, stores, lunchrooms, warehouses or other operations established in conjunction with such industrial or manufacturing operations, as well as garbage and rubbish, and excludes hazardous waste.
LEAF COLLECTION SEASON
A period during the fall of each year as scheduled by the City Manager during which a leaf collection service is provided in specified areas of the City.
LEAVES
The foliage from plants, shrubs and trees.
MATERIAL COLLECTION PERMIT
A permit issued by the City to a collection agent, which allows the collection agent the privilege to provide a specific type of solid waste, yard waste, household hazardous waste and/or recyclable material collection service.
MEDICAL WASTE
Any material that has been identified by state or federal regulation to be medical, biohazardous or pathological waste and is subject to special handling and disposal regulations.
MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL
Residential establishments consisting of three or more dwelling units.
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Rubbish and garbage consisting of certain discarded products incidental to housekeeping and mercantile enterprises that are not recyclable. Such waste shall be classified as either domestic, commercial or industrial solid waste as further defined in this section, and excludes hazardous waste.
PERMITTED COLLECTOR
A collection agent who has received a material collection permit from the City.
PERSON IN CHARGE
The owner, proprietor, occupant or agent in charge of any premise, whether an individual, partnership or corporation.
PREMISES
A parcel of land, including any buildings, structures or appurtenances within the City, which includes the adjoining street, right-of-way or legal easement, separated from adjacent parcels of land by legal description.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Materials specifically designated in accordance with the provisions of this article to be separated from solid waste for the express purpose of preparation for and delivery to a secondary market or other use.
REFUSE
The same as Solid waste.
RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE
The same as Domestic solid waste.
RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
Weekly solid waste pickup from residential buildings with no more than two dwelling units.
RESIDENTIAL UNIT
A building, or portion thereof, designed for occupancy exclusively by one family for residential purposes and having cooking facilities and separate sanitary facilities.
RUBBISH
The miscellaneous waste materials resulting from housekeeping and ordinary mercantile enterprises, including material such as packing boxes, cartons, excelsior, paper, ashes, cinders, glass, metal, plastic and rubber, and excluding hazardous waste.
SOLID WASTE
Garbage and rubbish. This term does not include human body waste, liquid waste, materials that have been separated either at the source or a processing site for the purpose of reuse, recycling or composting, or any material that has been identified by state or federal regulation to be unsuitable for disposal in a type II sanitary landfill or its state designated equivalent.
SPECIAL REFUSE
Furniture, washing machines, clothes dryers, refrigerators and other household appliances, brush, large tree limbs and other bulky refuse items, excluding construction and demolition debris, that are unsuitable for regular solid waste collection services.
SPECIAL REFUSE TAG
A tag sold by the City and/or its designee which shall be attached to special refuse for the purpose of collection, except not on large item days. Special refuse tags shall be of a distinctive color or material and printed with the City seal or other appropriate words which indicate the use of the tag.
TYPE II SANITARY LANDFILL
As defined in part 115 of Public Act No. 451 of 1994 (MCL 324.11501 et seq.), or a state equivalent designation.
YARD WASTE
Grass clippings, leaves, weeds, hedge clippings, garden waste and twigs.
YARD WASTE COLLECTION
Collection service provided by a contracted permitted collector or the City as determined by the City Council and/or City Manager.
[Code 1968, § 8-605]
A person shall dispose of his solid waste and segregate items as provided in this article, or as specified by subsequent resolution of the City Council, from all other solid waste produced and shall separately bundle or contain such items for proper disposal, collection and/or recycling, in accordance with the provisions set forth in this article.
[Code 1968, § 8-606]
(a) 
No owner and/or manager of a residential dwelling unit, commercial establishment or industrial facility shall permit the accumulation of refuse, rubbish or garbage upon his premises for a period that would pose a health hazard, subject adjacent property occupants to unreasonably offensive odors or become a public nuisance. The accumulation of refuse, rubbish or garbage for a period in excess of seven days shall be prima facie evidence of posing a health hazard and creating a public nuisance.
(b) 
Leaves, yard waste and vegetable waste may be stored for composting purposes in a manner which will not harbor rodents, subject adjacent property owners to an unreasonably offensive odor or become a public nuisance.
(c) 
In the case of an alley or lawn extension, which consists of the area between the sidewalk and the street, where refuse, rubbish, garbage or yard waste are or have been deposited, it shall be the duty of each owner or occupant of such lot or premises to remove from the half of such alley adjoining the lot or premises, or the entire lawn extension adjoining such lot, all such substances.
[Code 1968, § 8-607]
It shall be unlawful for any person to throw or deposit any refuse upon or into any street, right-of-way, alley, portable or nonportable container or upon any other property or premises, public or private, without the permission of the owner, proprietor, occupant or agent in charge of such premises.
[Code 1968, § 8-608]
(a) 
All persons within the City who place the following items for disposal, removal or collection shall do so in strict conformity with the following regulations:
(1) 
Solid waste. Solid waste shall be separated and contained in an approved bag, or in another acceptable solid waste container which is clearly marked with a City solid waste tag.
(2) 
Yard waste. Yard waste shall be separated and contained in an approved compostable bag or container, and clearly marked as yard waste, provided that during the leaf collection season, leaves may also be placed at the curb for the City leaf collection services.
(3) 
Special refuse. All special refuse shall be separated and must be removed using an approved method. Approved methods of removal shall be limited to:
a. 
Arrangements with a permitted collector;
b. 
Transport to a City designated collector and transfer site; or
c. 
By tagging the debris with a City special refuse tag for collection by the City.
(4) 
Bulk rubbish. All bulk rubbish, such as cardboard containers, wooden crates and similar rubbish, shall be separated, flattened and tied in bundles or packed in suitable containers of a size that may be readily handled by one collector, and in no case shall such bundle or container be larger than that which is approved by the City or a permitted contractor.
(5) 
Brush. All brush shall be separated and may be taken to the City brush pile or placed at the curb in bundles not to exceed three feet in length, nor 50 pounds in weight.
(6) 
Industrial solid waste. All industrial solid waste shall be collected by permitted collectors privately contracted for by the industrial user, and shall otherwise comply with the provisions of this article.
(7) 
Construction and demolition debris. All construction and demolition debris shall be separated and collected by permitted contractors privately contracted for by the person who produced the waste, and shall otherwise comply with the provisions of this article.
(8) 
Hazardous waste. All hazardous waste, except household hazardous waste, shall be separated and collected by permitted collectors privately contracted for by the person who produced the waste, and shall otherwise comply with the provisions of this article.
(9) 
Household hazardous waste. All waste classified as household hazardous waste by local, state and federal regulations shall be separated and disposed of through the collection system of the City.
(10) 
Medical waste. All medical waste shall be separated and disposed of in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations, and shall be collected by permitted contractors privately contracted for by the person who produced the waste, and shall otherwise comply with the provisions of this article.
(b) 
Items not placed in an approved bag/container and tagged with a prepaid City tag will not be picked up, unless otherwise provided in this article. The collection of municipal solid waste or recyclables is conditioned upon the observance of all provisions of this article. Collection is subject to weather and other conditions beyond the City's control.
[Code 1968, § 8-609]
(a) 
The specifications for City bags and/or tags and their use shall be promulgated by the City Manager.
(b) 
The prices for City bags and tags shall be determined by resolution of the City Council.
(c) 
The City or its authorized representatives may sell City solid waste or yard waste bags and/or tags to individuals and/or participating sales establishments. Participating sales establishments shall sell such bags and/or tags for not more than the price specified by the City Council.
(d) 
The gross weight of the City solid waste or yard waste bags, when filled with waste, shall not exceed 50 pounds.
[Code 1968, § 8-610]
(a) 
Provision. The owner, manager or occupant of a building, house or structure where refuse accumulates shall provide and maintain proper refuse receptacles as defined in Subsections (d) and (e) of this section, and shall place, or cause to be placed, in such receptacles all refuse accumulating on the premises, provided that bulk rubbish may be stored in a condition properly prepared for collection as specified in this article.
(b) 
Residential and small commercial. The person in charge of every single-family or two-family building or small commercial establishment where refuse accumulates shall provide and keep clean and in place proper receptacles to house their bagged waste.
(c) 
Commercial, industrial and multiple residential. The person in charge of a building consisting of three or more dwelling units, and every building used for a commercial or industrial business, shall provide and keep clean and in place proper receptacles of a portable type as defined in Subsection (d) of this section, provided that where the City Manager determines that portable receptacles are not practical for multiple dwellings, commercial or industrial businesses, he may authorize the use of nonportable receptacles of a type that can be mechanically hoisted by a refuse collection vehicle, and with specifications established and approved by the City and as defined in Subsection (e) of this section.
(d) 
Portable receptacles. Portable receptacles for municipal refuse shall be of metal, fiberglass, plastic or other substantial construction approved by the City Manager. Such receptacles shall have handles or bails and tight-fitting covers and shall not exceed 33 gallons each in capacity; provided that receptacles used exclusively for yard waste need not have covers, and the City Manager may approve the use of plastic bags of a capacity and quality specified by him for the storage and disposal of solid and/or yard waste. In no event shall the gross weight of receptacles, and the waste they contain, exceed 50 pounds.
(e) 
Nonportable receptacles. Nonportable receptacles for solid waste shall be of substantial construction, with a capacity of not more than eight cubic yards, and shall meet all specifications established by the City Manager on the basis of the requirements of the solid waste collection equipment being used by the City or a permitted collector, and the necessities of health and safety. All garbage shall be properly wrapped or placed within a closed plastic bag before it is placed in a nonportable receptacle.
(f) 
Nonconforming receptacles. Receptacles that are badly broken or otherwise fail to meet the requirements of this article may be classified as rubbish and, after due notice to the owner, may be collected as rubbish by the collection contractor.
(g) 
Location. All nonportable receptacles shall be placed and collected in the location designated by the City. Such receptacles shall be located so that the permitted collectors will not have to trespass on private property in order to pick up such receptacles. In no event shall nonportable receptacles be placed in or upon public property, or public right-of-ways, without first obtaining the City's approval in writing. All portable receptacles shall be stored within the side or rear yards of the premises, and shall not be set out for collection prior to 12:00 noon preceding the day of collection, and after the receptacles are emptied they shall be returned to their place of storage on the same day collections are made. Points of collection shall be determined by the City.
[Code 1968, § 8-611]
After their placement at the curb for collection, any leaves, yard waste or recyclable material required to be separated from the residents' solid waste in accordance with this article, shall be the property of the City or its authorized agent. No person shall take, collect or transport any leaves, yard waste or recyclable material from any street, right-of-way, alley or dumpster of the City without authorization by the City.
[Code 1968, § 8-612]
Notwithstanding any provision of this article, any person may donate or sell recyclables to any another person, whether that person operates for profit or not for profit. Under no circumstances, however, may the transferred recyclables be picked up from the curbside, whether or not such recyclables are placed at the curbside on or immediately preceding the regular curbside collection.
[Code 1968, § 8-613]
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business or practice of collecting or disposing of solid waste, leaves, yard waste or recyclable materials without first obtaining a material collection permit in the manner outlined in this section.
(b) 
No material collection permit shall be issued, except upon application to the City Clerk. At a minimum, the application must include the following information:
(1) 
A description of the methods and equipment which the applicant proposes to use for collecting solid waste, leaves, yard waste, household hazardous waste and/or recyclable material in the City;
(2) 
A description of the type of collection to be provided, and the part of the City which such collection will affect;
(3) 
A plan for meeting the precollection requirements set forth in § 28-36;
(4) 
Proof of liability insurance as required by City policy;
(5) 
A plan for meeting all collection and disposal requirements set forth in other relevant City, county, state and federal regulations, as appropriate;
(6) 
The name and address of the sites to be used to dispose of each material collected;
(7) 
Proof of access to and use of an adequate and approvable materials recovery facility, composting facility or permitted disposal area;
(8) 
Such other facts as the City Manager may from time to time require for the purposes of determining whether the applicant complies with all laws, rules or regulations established by the City, county, state or federal government in regards to waste handling and/or disposal.
(c) 
The City Clerk shall submit all permit applications to the City Manager who may approve such applications as deemed to be in the best interests of the City and its inhabitants.
(d) 
The City Council may establish by resolution a permit fee to be paid by the applicant upon receipt of the material collection permit.
(e) 
Whenever an application made under this section has been approved by the City Manager, the City Clerk shall, upon payment of any established fee by the applicant, issue a material collection permit.
(f) 
Unless revoked under circumstances provided in this article, every material collection permit shall expire on the next succeeding January 1 following its issuance.
(g) 
The City may restrict the number of material collection permits issued and the scope of service of such permits based on the:
(1) 
Geographic area to be served;
(2) 
Population sector to be served, such as single-family residential, multiple residential or commercial;
(3) 
Type of material to be collected;
(4) 
Points of collection, such as the curb, alley or other location; and/or
(5) 
Schedule of such collections.
(h) 
A material collection permit may be used only for the scope of services expressly stated in the permit.
(i) 
A material collection permit issued under this section may be revoked if:
(1) 
Any part of this article, or other relevant City, county, state or federal regulation is violated; or
(2) 
The terms of the permit are violated.
(j) 
No permitted collector shall dispose of solid waste, leaves, yard waste, household hazardous waste and/or recyclable materials at sites other than those specified in the terms of the collector's material collection permit.
(k) 
Permitted collectors shall provide a bond in the amount as adopted by resolution of the City Council from time to time for damage to public or private property while collecting, transporting or disposing of the solid waste or recyclable material.
(l) 
Each unit of transportation and each permitted collector-provided receptacle may be inspected in accordance with a procedure established by the City Manager to determine that the permitted contractor has in operation only units and receptacles which are proper, hygienic and not contributory to litter.
[Code 1968, § 8-614]
(a) 
The transportation of all garbage, offal, rubbish or other waste materials through the streets, alleys or thoroughfares of the City shall be conducted in a manner which does not create a nuisance. It shall be unlawful for any person to transport, cart, carry or convey through or over any of the streets, alleys or public places of the City any garbage, unwashed refuse or unwashed food containers without the written consent of the City Manager. Whenever such permission is granted, the vehicle used for such purposes shall be watertight and provided with suitable covering. It shall be unlawful for any person to transport or otherwise convey through or over any of the streets or public places of the City any rubbish or other waste material, except under written regulations or with the written consent of the City Manager, except rubbish or waste material accumulating on property owned or controlled by him, and then only by approved methods of conveyance.
(b) 
Vehicles conveying waste must be of such construction and operated in such a manner that the contents shall not spill upon the public streets or alleys, into the air, or otherwise create a nuisance.
[Code 1968, § 8-615]
(a) 
The City Manager is authorized and empowered to notify in writing the owner, proprietor, occupant, agent and/or tenant of any premises to remove solid waste, yard waste, special waste, household hazardous waste and/or recyclable material accumulated on such premises and not disposed of in compliance with this article, unless such items are on the abutting public property or public right-of-way, in which case no notice is required. Such notice shall be made by hand delivery or certified mail, addressed to the owner and/or tenant at the last known address.
(b) 
If solid waste is not removed from the premises within six days after the date of the mailing of such notice, or if the waste or recyclable material is on abutting public property or a public right-of-way, the owner, proprietor, occupant, agent and/or tenant of the premises shall be subject to penalties as set forth in § 1-7. The City Manager is authorized and empowered to contract and pay for the removal of the waste or recyclable material, or to order such removal by the City.
(c) 
When the City has effected the removal of such waste or recyclable material, or has paid for its removal, the actual cost of such removal, plus a 10% penalty of a minimum of $10, plus accrued interest at the rate of 1% per month from the date of removal, shall be charged to the owner of the premises and forwarded by the City to the owner, and the charge shall be due and payable upon receipt.
(d) 
Where the cost of removal is not paid by the property owner within 60 days after the removal of such waste or recyclable as set forth in Subsections (b) and (c) this section, the City Manager shall cause to be recorded in the treasurer's office a statement of the date and premises on which such removal was done. The recording of such statement shall constitute a lien on the property and shall remain in full force and effect for the amount due in principal and interest until final payment has been made and shall be collected in the manner provided by law for collection of taxes; further, the total amount shall be subject to a delinquent penalty of 1% per month if such amount is not paid in full on or before the delinquent date of the tax bill upon which the charge appears. The sworn statements recorded in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall be notice to every person concerned that the amount of the statement, plus interest, constitutes a charge against the premises described in the statement that such charge is due.
[Code 1968, § 8-616]
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to place any material in a container or receptacle which might endanger the collection personnel, or to deposit or deliver to a disposal site any hazardous material, waste or recyclable material which would be detrimental to the normal operation of collection, incineration, recycling or disposal, such as gaseous, solid or liquid poison, dead animals, ammunition, explosives, inflammable liquid, undrained garbage of a liquid or semiliquid nature, whether in containers or not, concrete, dirt, automobile or equipment parts, or any material that possesses heat sufficient to ignite any other collected materials. No motor vehicle shall be dumped or abandoned at any disposal site.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to place leaves, yard waste, household hazardous waste or recyclable specifically required to be separated from solid waste by this article or City Council resolution, in a refuse container for the purpose of refuse collection, removal or disposal, nor otherwise dispose of such item, except in conformance with the provisions of this article.
(c) 
The City solid waste disposal and resource recovery program is designed to accommodate the needs of residents of the City. Nonresidents are strictly prohibited from disposing of solid waste through the program. All violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law and/or provisions of this article.
[Code 1968, § 8-617]
(a) 
The City Manager, with the approval of the City Council, is authorized to permit the use of private property within the City as a private collection and transfer site subject to such reasonable terms and regulations as deemed necessary for the protection of the public, which rules and regulations shall at all times be subject to revision, cancellation, alteration or amendment by the City Council; provided, however, that any such permit shall be revocable at any time without cause and without previous notice by the City Manager or the City Council.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to dump or deposit any waste or recyclable material in the City, except in a collection and transfer site duly designated as such by the City Manager and/or City Council.
[Code 1968, § 8-618]
Enforcement of this article shall be the responsibility of the City Manager and/or designee. The City Manager is authorized and directed to establish and promulgate reasonable regulations as to the manner, days and times for the collection of waste or recyclable material with a permitted collector. The City Council may, by majority vote, change, modify, repeal or amend any portion of this article. City officials charged with the enforcement of this article may be authorized to issue tickets for violations relative to any part of this article.
[Code 1968, § 8-620]
The City Manager shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article.