Subchapter 7 - TEMPORARY EMERGENCY RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS

Section 16-325

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