Public Services-- RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE COLLECTION OF SOLID WASTE AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION No. 1625 ADOPTED ON MARCH 15, 1993.

WHEREAS, Chapter 18.5 of the Municipal Code of the City of Grinnell provides that the City Council adopt by Resolution, rules and regulations regarding the collection and disposal of waste.

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Grinnell, Iowa, that the following rules and regulations be adopted and that Resolution No. 1625, adopted on March 15, 1993 be rescinded.

Garbage and Refuse Rules and Regulations

1.           Definitions.

Brush Includes limbs removed from trees, fallen branches, entire trees, hedges.

Clean Up Days Specific time of each year set to collect those items not normally collected during the regular collection times such as, but not limited to: appliances, tires, and brush. This event helps rid the community of fire hazards and unsightly debris.

Container A commercial or multi-residential holder for solid waste which is capable of being handled by mechanical means and not exceeding 6 cubic yards capacity.

Garbage Includes animal, fruit and vegetable matter and other by-products resulting from the preparation of food and drink. All food wastes are considered garbage.

Receptacle A rustproof, watertight residential solid waste holder, with a handle and tight-fitting cover. Capacity is from 5 to 30 gallons. Plastic bags not to exceed 30 gallons, cardboard boxes and paper sacks are included as receptacles.

Refuse The worthless or useless part of inorganic flatter which, if allowed to accumulate, would not be pleasing to the sight and could be detrimental to the best interest of the community.

Rubbish Useless waste or rejected organic matter which is offensive to sight and smell, dangerous to public health, or detrimental to the best interest of the community.

Solid Waste Includes garbage, refuse, rubbish and other similar discarded solid or semi-solid materials, including, but not limited to, such materials resulting from industrial, commercial, agricultural and domestic activities, Solid Waste does not include hazardous wastes as defined in Section 455B.442 (3) of the State Code of Iowa.

Yard Waste  Includes grass clippings, leaves and garden waste only.

2.           Collectable Solid Waste.

Collectable Solid Waste is garbage, rubbish, and refuse, as defined in section 18.5-2 of the Grinnell Municipal Code. Small dead animals such as, but not limited to, cats, dogs, or birds, can be included as rubbish.

Hypodermic needles, such as those used for medical injection will be collected under the following conditions: Needles must be separated from the other solid waste and placed in an appropriate, sealed container such as an empty coffee can, or plastic milk jug, and clearly labeled as to the contents.

Collection of solid waste which may be considered a hazardous waste or have other characteristics which could require special handling, will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the department supervisor.

3.            Non-Collectable Solid Waste.

Solid Waste Collectors may refuse to collect undrained garbage, refuse, and rubbish of a liquid or  semi-liquid nature; unwrapped or improperly placed solid waste; tires; building and construction refuse; appliances; brush; yard waste; wearing apparel and bedding where highly infectious or contagious diseases were prevalent; explosive substances; poisons and chemicals; hazardous waste as defined in State Code 455B.442 (3); fecal matter; ashes which are warm to the touch; large dead animals such as livestock.

  4.     Solid Waste Preparation. Receptacles and Containers.

All receptacles used by residential customers for solid waste shall be from 5 to 30 gallons in capacity, rustproof watertight, metal or plastic and equipped with tight fitting covers. The combined weight of a residential receptacle and contents shall not exceed 60 pounds in weight. Plastic bags shall not exceed 40 pounds in weight. Receptacles used by commercial and multi-unit dwellings must adhere to residential standards. Containers capable of being handled by mechanical means and up to 6 cubic yards in capacity may be used by commercial and multi-unit dwellings.

Receptacles must be maintained in good condition with no ragged or sharp edges or other defects which may Impede or injure solid waste collectors. Defective receptacles may be tagged for repairs or total replacement by solid waste collectors. If not repaired or replaced in 15 days, defective receptacles may be collected as solid waste.

Defective containers will not be dumped until repairs or replacement has been made.

It is the duty of the owner of the building, or each individual tenant of a unit in the building, to make arrangements for proper receptacles or containers to handle the garbage and refuse on site. Receptacles and containers must be sufficient in number to hold wastes accumulated between regular collections.

Garbage, refuse, and rubbish must be drained of free liquid and wrapped in paper and placed into the receptacle or container or securely bagged in plastic.

Used engine oil will only be collected if placed in a closed plastic jug with a secure cap, and placed next to the solid waste receptacle. Used oil is not accepted from businesses such as, but not limited to, service stations, and garages.

If a receptacle falls apart when lifted, the customer will be responsible for placing the solid waste in another receptacle.

The City will not be responsible for damage to receptacles or containers.

5.     Collection Points.

All receptacles for solid waste shall be placed within 4’ of the curb at the front of the property. Authorization for other collection points may be arranged for handicapped or physically disabled persons as set out in the Municipal Code, Chapter 18.5-26 (2). The City Manager or the Manager’s designee may approve special arrangements where such arrangements are beneficial to both the customer and solid waste Collections.

6     Collection Practices:

 All residential solid waste will be collected by the City at least once each week. Commercial collection will be determined by the City Manager or the Manager’s designee.

Solid waste collectors have the right to refuse to collect solid waste on any property where dogs are loose, or other conditions exist which could be harmful to the collector.

Accumulated snow and ice around containers may restrict the ability to dump containers. It is the responsibility of both commercial and residential customers to remove snow and ice from and around containers.

Collection of residential solid waste begins at 7:00 a.m. each morning Monday-Friday. No owner or resident shall place any receptacle containing garbage or refuse nor any bin containing recyclable materials at the curb more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled day of collection, or leave any such receptacle or recycling bin at the curb more than 24 hours following the scheduled collection day.

7.   Special collections.

Whenever any person requests the removal of solid waste at a time other than the regularly scheduled collection day, an additional charge may be made.

Special items such as, but not limited to, appliances brush, batteries, and tires shall only be collected during Clean-Up Days or by special arrangement with the Public Service Department. The dates and charges for Clean-up Days shall be set by the Grinnell City Council.

8.   Recycled Materials:

Recycled materials shall be placed in the red recycling bin provided by the City of Grinnell. The weight of the red recycling bin and its contents shall not exceed 50 pounds. Additional recycling items may be placed next to the red recycling bin for collection. If the red recycling bin is not at the curb the recycling truck will not stop.