Section 16-325
* § 16-325 Temporary emergency recycling requirements.
a. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this chapter, the
department shall be authorized, by written order of the commissioner, to
suspend the collection of glass, plastic and beverage cartons as
designated recyclable materials. Any such suspension with regard to
glass shall take effect no earlier than July first, two thousand two and
shall expire no later than March thirty-first, two thousand four. Any
such suspension with regard to plastic and beverage cartons shall take
effect no earlier than July first, two thousand two and shall expire no
later than June thirtieth, two thousand three. During any period in
which the collection of glass, plastic or beverage cartons as designated
recyclable materials, is suspended pursuant to this subdivision, the
department shall be authorized to collect the suspended recyclable
materials with other non-recyclable solid waste.
b. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this chapter, the
department shall be authorized, by written order of the commissioner, to
suspend the provisions of section 16-308 of this chapter. Any such
suspension shall take effect no earlier than July first, two thousand
three and shall expire no later than June thirtieth, two thousand four.
During any period in which the provisions of section 16-308 of this
chapter are suspended pursuant to this subdivision, the department shall
be authorized to collect yard waste with other non-recyclable solid
waste.
c. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this chapter, during
a period of suspension, the department shall only be required to
maintain fiscal year two thousand two tonnage amounts for those
recyclable materials whose collection has not been suspended. Upon
expiration of any period of suspension, the department shall resume
collection of recyclable materials whose suspension has ended and shall
be required to maintain fiscal year two thousand two tonnage amounts for
those materials, unless other standards are agreed upon by the council
and the mayor.
d. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this chapter, the
department shall not be required to designate additional recyclable
materials during any period in which the collection of glass, plastic or
beverage cartons as designated recyclable materials, or material
designated pursuant to section 16-308 of this chapter, is suspended
pursuant to subdivision a or b of this section.
e. The mayor and council shall create a temporary task force in order
to develop a long term recycling plan in compliance with the provisions
of this chapter. The task force shall be comprised of six mutually
agreed upon appointees, three proposed by the mayor and three proposed
by the speaker of the council. The task force shall meet on or before
July fifteenth, two thousand two and monthly thereafter and issue a
report to the mayor and speaker on February twenty-first, two thousand
three. The task force shall examine and make recommendations that
include steps necessary to improve the efficiency of source separation
and collection of recyclable materials; appropriate recycling standards;
the identification and development of markets for recyclable materials;
the expansion of the New York State Returnable Container Act; and the
development and implementation of strategies to educate residents on
compliance with the recycling laws.
* NB Expired June 30, 2004