Chapter 15 · Utilities

Article 5. Solid Waste

Sections 15-501 to 15-509 · 9 sections

15-501 Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the following words shall mean:

(a)Refuse — shall mean all garbage and trash.

(b)Garbage — shall mean all organic household wastes, offal, animal and vegetable matter, such as has been prepared or intended to be used as food, or which shall have resulted in the preparation of food and like matter from wholesale and retail grocers, mercantile establishments, warehouses, poultry houses, cold storage plants, stores and stands, restaurants, eating houses and apartments.

(c)Trash — shall mean combustible materials such as paper, cartons, boxes, barrels, wood and excelsior; noncombustible including metals, tin cans, small quantities of rock and pieces of concrete, glass, crockery and similar refuse, ashes containing residue from fires; rubbish including street sweepings, catch basin dirt and contents of litter receptacles; provided, that none of the foregoing objects or materials shall be removable as trash except the same be accumulated and prepared for removal as hereinafter provided.

(d)Collection — shall mean the collection of garbage or trash or both from residences and dwelling units or from business establishments or from such central garbage and trash centers as may be hereafter designated by the governing body.

(Ord. 241, Sec. 1; Ord. 690, Sec. 1; Code 2019)

15-502 Collection of refuse.

The city shall collect and dispose of garbage and trash from all residences and dwelling units within the city limits. The governing body shall authorize and establish a plan and method for the collection and disposal of such refuse. Such plan and method shall establish routes and times for collection of garbage and trash and such other reasonable rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this article. Collection of refuse from public establishments, businesses and commercial properties is hereby required by the city but shall be arranged by the owner or manager of such property.

(Ord. 241, Sec. 2; Ord. 690, Sec. 2; Code 2019)

15-503 Duty of residents.

It shall be the duty of every householder, tenant, occupant of any residence or dwelling unit, or any business establishment of any description, or the owner or manager of any such building or establishment to keep at all times suitable portable vessels, tanks or receptacles for the storage of refuse. Such containers shall not exceed such specifications as may from time to time be established by the governing body. All such containers for the storage of refuse shall be watertight with a fly tight and water tight lid or cover with such lid or cover to remain on the receptacle except at such times as refuse is being placed in or taken from the container. All such containers shall be kept reasonably clean and sanitary by the user thereof and the user shall locate the container at such a place as to permit the easy removal of contents and shall be easily accessible for collection.

(Ord. 241, Sec. 3; Ord. 690, Sec. 3; Code 2019)

15-504 Collection and disposal of refuse by contract.

The city may, by contract, provide for the collection and disposal of refuse as municipal function and shall have the authority to authorize any qualified person, organization or corporation to carry out the collection of refuse. It shall be unlawful for any person not authorized by the city to engage in the business of hauling refuse within the limits of the city.

(Ord. 241, Sec. 4; Ord. 690, Sec. 4; Code 2019)

15-505 Collection, Service charges and Billing of Such Charges.

The city shall commence the operations of refuse collection as a municipal function as soon as the city has authorized any person, organization or corporation to engage in such collection. All service charges for the collection of refuse shall be established by the city and may be amended from time to time by the city upon the adoption of a simple resolution which shall be kept on file at all times with the city clerk.

(Ord. 394, Sec. 2; Ord. 690; Code 2019)

15-506 Unlawful acts.

It shall be unlawful and a violation of this article for any person, organization or corporation to dispose of refuse in any manner other than set out in this article unless otherwise authorized by the governing body.

(Ord. 241, Sec. 6; Ord. 690, Sec. 6; Code 2019)

15-507 Organic waste disposal facilities.

(a)The City of Towanda, Kansas may from time to time make available to the general public a receptacle or receptacles for the disposal of organic solid waste. It shall be unlawful for any person to utilize said solid waste receptacles except in accordance with specific directions and instructions posted thereon.

(b)Any person causing the introduction of solid waste into a compartment within a city sponsored organic waste receptacle contrary to instructions posted thereon, which shall include but not be limited to the introduction of grass and leaves into a compartment designating only limbs and brush, or the introduction of limbs and brush into a compartment designated for grass and leaves, shall upon conviction be punished by the imposition of a fine of not to exceed $500.00 and/or incarceration in the County Jail for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

(Ord. 516; Code 2019)

15-508 Penalty.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall upon conviction thereof be subject to a fine not to exceed $100 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues after notice has been served shall constitute an additional or separate offense.

(Ord. 690, Sec. 7; Code 2019)

15-509 Containers and refuse.

(a)All trash shall be bagged and placed in the provided Trash cart.

(b)Recyclables shall not be bagged but placed directly in the Recycle cart.

(c)Trash and Recycle carts shall be placed at the curb the night before trash collection day.

(d)Trash and Recycle carts and any uncollected refuse remaining shall be removed from the curb area within 24 hours after trash collection.

(e)Each utility customer will be provided with one trash, and one recycle cart. Additional carts provided to the utility customer shall be at the cost of $16.75 each.

(f)When a customer vacates the property, all trash and recycle carts shall remain on the premises.

(Ord. 705)