§ 8.12.020. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

A.

"Compost" means the product resulting from the managed and controlled biological decomposition of organic material, which is separated for this purpose from the solid waste stream.

B.

"Compostable material" means those organic materials of the solid waste stream, which can, through controlled biological decomposition, produce a useable compost product. Compostable materials include but are not limited to food and food scraps, food scrap soiled paper, green waste plant debris, untreated wood, and other items as determined by the city. Compostable materials do not include human or animal waste or fluids or any items that have been in contact with human or animal waste or fluids.

C.

"Contractors" means such persons, firms or corporations holding a contract with the city for the collection and disposal of garbage, recyclable materials or green waste.

D.

"Garbage" means those elements of the solid waste stream other than hazardous waste, universal waste, or those materials which have been separated, set aside, handled, packaged or offered for collection separately from other discards for the purpose of recycling, reuse or composting.

E.

"Hazardous waste" means discarded material or solid waste which exhibits one or more of the following characteristics: (1) ignitability, (2) corrosivity, (3) reactivity, or (4) toxicity, and because of its quantity, concentration, physical, chemical or infectious property may cause a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste and low-level radioactive waste are regulated under Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 25800) of Division 20 of the State Health and Safety Code and Title 22, Chapter 11 of the State Code of Regulations.

F.

"Health officer," unless otherwise described, means the city manager or his or her designee.

G.

"Recyclable materials" means those discarded materials which, when separated from other discarded materials and properly processed, can be turned into useful products through reprocessing or remanufacturing. Recyclable materials include, but are not limited to, glass, metals, plastic and paper, and other items as determined by the city.

H.

"Recycle", "recycling" means the process of collecting, sorting, cleansing, treating and reconstituting materials that would otherwise be discarded as garbage, and returning them as raw material for new, reused or reconstituted products which meet the quality standards necessary for use in the marketplace.

I.

"Reuse" occurs when an item of the solid waste stream is reused in its manufactured form without reprocessing. Reusable materials include but are not limited to clothing, indoor and outdoor furnishings, clean fill dirt, architectural detailing, art and art supplies, books and antiques.

J.

"Restricted drop-off items" means those items collected at the El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center that, for reasons of safety, health, security, and/or cost-efficiency, are locked, secured, or otherwise made inaccessible to the public without the assistance of city staff. The proper procedure for dropping off restricted items at the Center shall be posted at each restricted drop-off area, and shall instruct patrons how to get staff assistance with those items.

K.

"Salvage" means the act of accessing and taking those materials from the El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center that can be reused or repurposed by individuals while providing equal or greater community and environmental benefits than would be realized if those items were recycled by the city. Salvage also means to access and take such materials.

L.

"Salvage permit" means a granted exemption to Section 8.12.140B of this code. Salvage permits are subject to the provisions in Section 8.12.150.

M.

"Special waste" means materials, whether classified as hazardous or nonhazardous, identified in the solid waste stream, that present a hazard to human health or the environment if not properly handled, or waste that requires unique handling or disposal methods because of its physical characteristics. Special wastes include, but are not limited to, tires, asbestos, grease trap pumpings, incinerator ash, medical waste, sewage sludge, street sweepings, catch basin debris and tires. Medical waste is regulated pursuant to the Medical Waste Management Act, Chapter 6.1 (commencing with Section 25015) of Division 20 of the State Health and Safety Code.

N.

"Sharps" means any potential biohazard device having acute rigid corners, edges, or protuberances capable of cutting or piercing, such as hypodermic needles, hypodermic needles with syringes, lancets, blades, needles with attached tubing, syringes contaminated with biohazardous waste, acupuncture needles, root canal files, broken glass items such as Pasteur pipettes and blood vials contaminated with biohazardous waste, and any item capable of cutting or piercing that is contaminated with biohazardous waste, and any item capable of cutting or piercing that is contaminated with trauma scene waste. "Sharps" does not mean household disposable razors, box cutting knives, craft tools, or household glass.

O.

"Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs)" means chemical substances, including prescription and over-the-counter therapeutic drugs, fragrances, cosmetics, sunscreen agents, diagnostic agents, nutraceuticals, and biopharmaceuticals.

P.

"Universal wastes" are hazardous wastes, including but are not limited to electronic devices, fluorescent lamps, cathode ray tubes, instruments that contain mercury, batteries, and many other items, as determined by the California Department of Toxic Substance Control pursuant to the California Code of Regulations (Title 22 Universal Waste Rule).

(Ord. 2007-8 § 1 (part), 2007.)

(Ord. No. 2010-06, § 1, 5-17-2010; Ord. No. 2012-04, § I, 12-18-2012)