ARTICLE VI. - LEAF AND YARD WASTE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING PROGRAM
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Warwick, RI.
The text
Sec. 22-171. - Program established; collection schedule.#
A collection program with mandatory source separation of certain leaf and yard waste material from the garbage or trash by the residents of the city and the collection of these yard waste materials is hereby established. The collection of the source-separated compostable leaf and yard waste materials shall be made periodically under a schedule promulgated by the director of public works.
(Code 1971, § 8-95)
Sec. 22-172. - Definitions.#
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article:
Backyard composting means composting of leaf and yard waste on the property of a resident in a bin or pile constructed for this purpose, or, in the case of grass clippings, by leaving the material on the lawn after mowing.
Barrels means specially marked clean refuse containers no larger than 50 gallons and weighing no more than 55 pounds. Barrels are to be furnished by residents.
Brush means deciduous and coniferous branches, clippings and vines not more than five feet long and three inches in diameter.
Composting means a process of accelerated biodegradation and stabilization of organic material under controlled aerobic conditions yielding a product which can be used as a soil amendment.
Leaf and yard waste collection season means the period from April 1 through December 15 of each calendar year.
Leaves means deciduous and coniferous seasonal deposition.
Paper leaf bag means a paper sack of approximately 30-gallon capacity, with standard dimensions of 16 inches by 12 inches by 35 inches as per the specifications set by the public works department. Paper leaf bags are available for residential purchase.
Project manager means the individual ultimately responsible for the compost project as designated by the director of public works.
Resident means anyone residing in the city who generates solid waste at a location for which the city accepts responsibility for disposal.
Yard waste means grass clippings, weeds, hedge clippings, garden waste and wood chips (less than two inches in diameter).
(Code 1971, § 8-96)
Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Sec. 22-173. - Separation of compostable leaf and yard waste required; containers; placement for removal.#
(a)
Implementation of program. The city hereby implements a mandatory yearround leaf, yard waste and brush source-separation program for the purpose of composting in accordance with the city's commitment to resource recovery.
(b)
Containers; placement for removal. During the leaf and yard waste collection season, residents shall place the leaf and yard waste material into paper leaf bags or barrels, as defined herein. Brush shall be bundled and tied in lengths no longer than five feet. The paper bags, barrels and bundled brush shall be placed on the curbside in accordance with this article on the collection days specified by the department of public works and advertised in the local newspapers. No plastic bags containing leaf and yard waste shall be accepted for collection at any time during the year.
(c)
Other materials prohibited in bags and barrels. No material other than leaf and yard waste materials shall be placed in the bags or barrels.
(d)
Use of plastic bags prohibited; mixing leaf and yard waste with other waste. Compostable leaf and yard waste material shall not be placed in plastic trash bags during the leaf and yard waste collection season. Leaves and yard waste shall not be placed in the same refuse containers as, or otherwise mixed with, other forms of solid waste for collection, removal or disposal.
(e)
Acceptable closures for bags and barrels. No tape will be accepted as a method for closure of any paper leaf bag or barrel, as defined herein. Staples, string, or open paper leaf bags or barrels are acceptable.
(Code 1971, § 8-97)
Sec. 22-174. - Disposal of residential leaf and yard waste at municipal recycling facility.#
(a)
Availability. A yearround voluntary dropoff site shall be available to residents for leaf, brush and yard waste disposal, the hours of operation of which shall be set by the director of public works or the project manager.
(b)
Preparation generally. Residents shall prepare leaf, brush and yard waste materials in accordance with section 22-173, unless otherwise provided in this section.
(c)
Use of plastic bags. Residents may use plastic bags to transport leaf and yard waste material to the city municipal recycling facility, provided the materials are removed from the plastic bags by residents prior to disposing of such material at the facility.
(d)
Brush. Residents disposing of brush shall not be required to secure the brush in bundles prior to disposal.
(e)
Waste from commercial, industrial, agricultural and institutional sources. Commercial, industrial, agricultural and institutional leaves, brush and yard waste shall not be eligible for disposal at the municipal recycling facility without prior purchase of applicable disposal permits. Such enterprises shall purchase facility permits from the city's recycling office at the department of public works.
(Code 1971, § 8-98)
Sec. 22-175. - Noncompliance.#
(a)
In the event a resident fails to comply with any requirements of section 22-173, the director of public works or the project manager shall refuse to collect the leaf and yard waste material and the resident shall be required to immediately remove from the curb all leaf and yard waste material and prepare it in compliance with this article for the next scheduled pickup.
(b)
In the event a resident fails to comply with the municipal recycling facility dropoff requirements, the director of public works or the project manager shall refuse to accept the leaf and yard waste material, and the resident shall be required to immediately remove such leaf and yard waste material.
(Code 1971, § 8-99)
Sec. 22-176. - Residential composting.#
The city hereby promotes and encourages voluntary residential backyard composting of organic material for the purpose of reducing the volume of residential solid waste in accordance with the city's commitment to resource recovery. Information on backyard composting shall be supplied by the department of public works upon request.
(Code 1971, § 8-100)