Article 5 Collection of Wastes

When used in this article:

   (a)   Organic wastes shall mean all wastes produced by or from living organisms.

   (b)   Inorganic wastes shall mean all wastes other than organic wastes, including discarded lumber, wood shavings and furniture.

   (c)   Household wastes shall mean all wastes, organic and inorganic, which are produced within a dwelling unit. 

   a.   The owner or occupant in control of a dwelling shall provide and maintain metal cans, or other receptacles jointly approved as to specifications by the department, the department of sanitation and the department of health and mental hygiene, for the exclusive use of each building, which shall be of sufficient size and number to contain the wastes accumulated in such building during a period of seventy-two hours. No receptacle shall be filled to a height so as to prevent the effective closure thereof and no receptacle shall weigh more than one hundred pounds when filled. The receptacles shall be so constructed as to hold their contents without leakage. Metal cans shall be provided with tight-fitting covers and other receptacles shall be effectively closed. When requested by the department of sanitation, the owner or occupant in control shall separate and place in separate receptacles, ashes, organic and inorganic wastes. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall prevent the department, the department of sanitation and the department of health and mental hygiene from jointly approving as to specifications other systems for the disposal of waste utilizing containers of larger size and different construction as may be appropriate for such systems.

   b.   Metal cans shall be kept within the dwelling or as required by the department until the time for removal of their contents when they shall be placed in front of the dwelling. When inside storage is required, receptacles of other materials shall be kept in a metal can or a ratproof and fireproof room until the time of their removal when they shall be removed from the metal can and be neatly stacked in front of the dwelling. After the contents have been removed by the department of sanitation, any receptacles remaining shall be returned promptly to their place of storage. Metal cans shall be kept covered at all times and shall be disinfected regularly and maintained in a sanitary condition. Yard sweepings, hedge cuttings, grass, leaves, earth, stone, or bricks shall not be mixed with household wastes.

   c.   Newspapers, wrapping paper, or other inorganic wastes which are likely to be blown or scattered about the streets shall be securely bundled, tied or packed before being placed for collection. Such material shall be kept and placed for collection in the same manner as the receptacles.

   a.   The owner of a multiple dwelling shall not allow the accumulation except in a lawful receptacle of ashes or any type of waste matter in any part of the premises.

   b.   In multiple dwellings where the owner provides dumbwaiter service, all waste matter shall be collected at least once daily and deposited in separate receptacles.

   c.   In multiple dwellings where no dumbwaiter service is provided, the owner shall provide between the hours of seven a.m. and ten a.m. or between five p.m. and eight p.m. daily:

      (1)   a sufficient number of receptacles but in no event less than two within the dwelling or other area approved by the department which are accessible to the tenants. Such receptacles shall be removed promptly upon the expiration of the selected time period and taken to their place of storage; or

      (2)   a pick-up service at each dwelling unit to collect ashes and wastes for deposit in the receptacles referred to in section 27-2021 of this article.  The owner shall post and maintain a notice in a conspicuous place in the dwelling informing the tenants of the hour and method of collection. A new notice shall be posted and maintained within forty-eight hours preceding any change in such hour or method.

   d.   The tenant of a multiple dwelling shall dispose of waste matter in accordance with the method provided by the owner under subdivision b or c of this section. The tenant shall not accumulate any waste matter in his or her dwelling unit so as to create a condition which is unsanitary or a fire hazard in the judgment of the department.

   e.   Subdivisions b, c and d of this section shall not apply to any multiple dwelling where regular incinerator services or other means of disposal approved by the department are provided. The tenant in such a dwelling shall dispose of waste matter in an incinerator or by such other approved means of disposal and shall not permit wastes to accumulate so as to create a condition which is unsanitary or a fire hazard in the judgment of the department.