Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 6 Solid Waste and Recycling Services

All customers are required to use City provided containers, of sufficient capacity, for storing solid waste and recyclables.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The Director shall determine the appropriate level of service required, including size of receptacle and frequency of collection. Minimum level of service for:

(a) Residential or Commercial Units. Each residential or commercial unit shall be provided with a minimum of one thirty-two (32) gallon City provided garbage cart or equivalent and one thirty-two (32) gallon City provided recycling cart or equivalent.

(b) Mobile Homes. Each mobile home shall be provided with a minimum of one thirty-two (32) gallon City provided garbage cart and one thirty-two (32) gallon City provided recycling cart.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Containers provided by the City, remain the property of the City, and should not be used for any other purpose than to store garbage and recyclables. Damages to containers resulting from customer negligence shall be repaired by the City and the cost thereof shall be paid by the customer. The customer shall be responsible for routine cleaning of containers and for maintaining the containers in such condition that they meet State and local public health regulations. Containers should be stored in such a manner to prevent the accumulation of litter or an unsightly, unsafe, or unsanitary condition to exist. All containers equipped with lids shall be stored with their lids fully closed.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

It shall be unlawful to place unacceptable materials in containers. Unacceptable materials include:

(a) Hazardous waste.

(b) Infectious waste.

(c) Hot ashes.

(d) Free-flowing liquids.

(e) Items that may be easily scattered by the wind (these should be bagged prior to placement in container).

(f) No recyclable materials shall be placed in solid waste containers.

(g) No solid waste materials shall be placed in recycling containers.

(h) Placement of material in any container without the permission of the customer responsible for payment of service.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Shared garbage containers are not allowed, except upon approval of the Director. The property owner shall be responsible for solid waste service arrangements and payment of bills.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

(a) Service Requirements. Every residential, industrial, or commercial unit occupied or available for occupancy shall obtain garbage and recycling service, and the occupant or owner shall be responsible for paying the appropriate service charges.

(b) Overloads. Any container shall be considered overloaded when its lid is not fully closed or materials extend beyond the top of the receptacle. The customer will be charged an overloaded container fee. Material shall be placed in the container so that it falls free when container is serviced.

(c) Excess Garbage. Occasional excess garbage, which cannot be placed in a customer’s regular cart, may be placed in a thirty-two (32) gallon can with lid. The total weight, including contents, must not exceed fifty (50) pounds. The applicable extra-can charge will be applied.

(d) Water and Liquids. All wet garbage shall be drained of water and other liquids before being deposited in a waste container.

(e) Placement for Collection. Waste containers shall be placed for collection at locations designated by the Director.

(f) Container or Cart Identification. All waste containers shall be conspicuously marked with the specific street number of the house, building, or unit receiving service.

(g) Collection Hours. Containers shall not be placed on the street for pickup for more than twelve (12) hours in advance of the regular service day and they shall be removed from the pick-up site within twelve (12) hours after they have been emptied.

(h) Incorrect Placement and Access. Customers whose solid waste containers are not collected because of improper use placement, or improper access must correct such problems and arrange for a special pick-up. Fees shall be charged as established by Council resolution.

(i) Exchanges. Customers may change cart size once per year without cost. Exchange fees shall be charged as established by Council resolution

(j) Area Constraints. Service shall not be provided in cases where accessibility is a problem or where an adequately paved surface is not available for container placement.

(k) Compactors. Privately-owned compactors shall be in accordance with provisions of Public Improvement Standards.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

(a) Findings. As provided by Sections 41950 and 41951 of the Public Resources Code: No person, other than the authorized recycling agent of the City or County, shall remove paper, glass, cardboard, plastic, used motor oil, ferrous metal, aluminum, or other recyclable materials which have been segregated from solid waste materials and placed at a designated recycling collection location for residential, multifamily residential, and commercial curbside collection programs authorized by a City, County, or local Agency for the purpose of collection and recycling.

(b) Requirements. All customers are required to recycle all materials as designated by the Director.

(c) Containers. City provided recycling containers shall not be used for any purpose other than the segregation of recyclable materials in the City’s curbside recycling program.

(d) Ownership of Materials. From time of placement of recyclables in any City container, the materials become the property of the City.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

(a) Placement of Solid Wastes and Recyclables. It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit any solid waste or recyclables upon any City right-of-way, street or other public place except for the purpose of collection in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.

(b) Burying and Burning. No person shall bury or burn solid waste and recyclables at any place in the City for whatever purpose.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

(a) Disposal by Residential and Commercial Customers. All customers shall have City-provided garbage and recyclable collection services of sufficient volume and frequency to handle their regular solid waste needs. Disposal by customer shall not be used to replace or augment, mandatory City-provided garbage services. Self-haul of solid waste is allowed under the following conditions:

(1) Customers may self-haul occasional extra solid wastes to the City’s public drop off facility. However, frequent use of the public drop off for garbage disposal will be considered evidence of insufficient city-provided garbage as prescribed in Section 6-3.602 of this Chapter.

(2) Containerized wastes may be self-hauled to the City landfill by an approved hauler if the container is situated at all times, while on site, on the vehicle that transports it.

(b) Responsibility for Charges. The customer is responsible for the payment of the appropriate solid waste charges, including all costs imposed on and incurred by the City for the disposal of wastes. The Director, as provided under Section 6-3.602 of this Chapter, shall determine the appropriate solid waste service level.

(c) No property owner or occupant shall prohibit or prevent the provision of weekly solid waste collection services, including recyclables collection, at said property.

(d) All loads shall be adequately covered to prevent littering. An additional fee will be assessed for uncovered loads transported to any City disposal facility.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1176-04 C-M, eff. June 8, 2004)

Section 42910 of the Public Resource Code requires that local agencies adopt an ordinance relating to adequate areas for collecting and loading recyclable materials.

(a) Facility Requirements. Any development, remodeled or expanded building, including public facilities, shall include adequate, accessible, and convenient areas for collecting, storing and loading solid waste or recyclable materials.

(b) Changes in Use of a Facility. When the use of a facility results or will result in the generation of additional or different waste or recyclable materials, the owner shall be responsible for providing adequate, accessible, and convenient areas for the collection, storage and loading of these materials.

(c) Design and Construction. Solid waste and recycling storage areas shall be designed and constructed under current Public Improvement Standards.

(d) Maintenance. Solid waste and recyclable enclosures shall be maintained in good repair and kept free of litter.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Customers delivering solid waste or recyclables to City-operated facilities shall be required to complete an origin of waste document that identifies the type of waste, the address of the parcel where the waste originated, where the waste was located before it was loaded for transportation, the name or the person in possession of the waste before the transporter took possession of the waste, and any related information needed to determine the origin of the waste for the purpose of meeting State and local regulations.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)