Compactor/Recycling Center Regulations

December 20, 2006

Dear Resident:

One of the exceptional services the Borough provides to the residents is the use of the Borough’s refuse disposal compactor and recycling center located on Sulak Lane. Enclosed is a new 2007-2008 decal which will permit your access into the recycling center. The use of this center is limited to Park Ridge residents only. Contractors and commercial businesses are not permitted in the facility. To insure the safety of the employees and residents, and to make sure no one misuses this facility, the Borough has implemented new compactor and recycling center regulations.

Hours:

Wednesdays - 9:00AM to 3:00PM
Saturdays – 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Please note that the Recycling Center staff may close the facility at any time for operational reasons.

Permit Decal and Access:

Every resident will be mailed one sticker. You must write the license plate of your vehicle on the sticker and it must be affixed to the back of your rear view mirror (the mirror inside your car on the windshield) . If it is not affixed, you will not be permitted into the center.

If you have more than one vehicle, or you purchase a new vehicle, you can go to Borough Hall and get an additional sticker. You must bring copies of the registration of all your vehicles and proof of residency before we will provide additional stickers.

In addition, residents may be asked to show their drivers license to prove they live in the Borough. Anyone who does not show proof of residency will not be allowed to dump.

Commercial Vehicles Not Permitted:

No commercial vehicles are permitted in the recycling center for any reason. A Commercial vehicle is defined as a vehicle having a permanent or removable business placard and/or commercial license plates.

Pickup trucks are permitted but cannot have a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds.

Small utility trailers are permitted but cannot be longer than 8 feet in length.

Removal of Items from the Recycling Center is not Permitted:

Residents must unload all materials without the assistance of the Recycling Center staff in a safe and expedient way respecting the waiting time of others on line. For the safety of the residents and employees, no one may remove anything from the recycling center. In addition, no one will be permitted to loiter in the recycling center.

Disposal of Construction Material:

The compactor is provided for residents to dispose of general household refuse and minor construction debris. Residents are not permitted to dispose of major construction debris such as the debris from projects requiring a building permit. Residents and contractors shall provide for the contracted disposal of construction debris as part of the construction project such as the rental of an on-site dumpster. Contractors who live in the Borough are not permitted to dispose of debris from their construction projects.

Special Appointments:

We understand that there may be times when a friend or relative may assist a resident to dispose of household debris (e.g. a relative may have a pickup truck), or a resident’s only vehicle is a commercial vehicle. A special appointment can be made for these types of circumstances by calling the DPW Supervisor at 201-391-3933. If approved, the resident will be given a special appointment to dump their refuse when the center is closed to the public.

Penalties:

Surveillance of the Recycling Center is monitored by camera 24 hours a day. The hours and conditions of operation of the compactor and recycling center shall be prescribed by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Park Ridge. Use of this facility when it is closed to the public, or not in accordance with this policy, shall be strictly prohibited and shall subject the violator to the penalty provided in the Code of the Borough of Park Ridge, and/or the loss of the privilege to use the facility.

Disposal of any material that is deemed to create a hazard is not permitted. Placing materials in unauthorized locations is also not permitted. Clean up costs may be assessed to the person who left the materials or created the hazard.

Materials Accepted at the Recycling Center

For your convenience, the Compactor and Recycling Center located at the end of Sulak Lane can accept the following items from Park Ridge residents:

Scrap Metal:
Aluminum items
Appliances made of steel including, stoves, white goods including washers, dryers, hot water, heaters, refrigerators, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.
Iron materials (e.g. bed frames, etc)

Waste Oil and Antifreeze:
Waste oil and Antifreeze may be disposed of in a tanks located in a covered storage shed

Batteries
Lead acid (automobile), household, nicad, and button batteries are accepted in battery disposal shed

Yard Waste
Grass clippings, bushes, branches, brush and
Stumps can be brought to the recycling center

Asphalt, Masonry Materials and Concrete:
There are separate locations to dispose of asphalt from the masonry materials and concrete

Paper
Newspaper, junk mail, magazines, computer paper, office and school paper,

Commingled recyclables
7 types of plastics, aluminum cans, foil and trays, food cans, glass, coated paper milk and juice cartons

Cardboard
Cardboard and corrugated boxes can be brought to the cardboard bailer located next to the compactor

Tires
There is a dumpster for residents to dispose of old tires

Household Refuse (Compactor)
General household refuse, furniture, scrap wood, toys, minor construction debris,
Computers, monitor and old electronic equipment
(No food materials allowed)

Items not accepted at the Park Ridge recycling center :
Food Waste
Fluorescent bulbs, mercury switches, thermometers
Propane Tanks
Household and hazardous chemicals (e.g. cleaners, degreasers, etc)
Oil Based Paints (Latex paints can be dried out and disposed of in the compactor)
Insecticides, Pesticides and Fertilizers
Medical waste

Many of these items can be disposed of at the Bergen County Household Hazardous collection days held periodically throughout the year at the Bergen Community College. The program is run by the Bergen County Utilities Authority. For more information and a schedule of the collection dates, contact their web site at http://bcua.org/SolidWaste_HHW.htm