A. “Collection company” means the person, firm, corporation or combination thereof operating under a contract for solid waste, residential recyclables or yard waste collection with, or under the direction of, the city, including an authorized contractor for the collection of residential recyclable materials under this chapter.

B. “Detachable container” means any garbage container compatible with the collection company’s equipment that is not a garbage can, garbage unit or mobile toter.

C. “Director” means the director of public works.

D. “Garbage” means all accumulations of solid waste.

E. “Garbage can” means a watertight, galvanized, raised-bottom container or suitable plastic container not exceeding four cubic feet or thirty-two gallons in capacity, weighing not over twenty-two pounds when empty and not over sixty five when full, fitted with two sturdy handles, one on each side and a tight fitting cover equipped with a handle.

F. “Garbage units” means secure and tight bundles, none of which shall exceed three feet in the longest dimension and shall not exceed sixty-five pounds in weight. Garbage units may also mean small discarded boxes, barrels or bags or securely tight cartons or other receptacles not intended for recycling under this chapter and able to be reasonably handled and loaded by one person onto a collection vehicle.

G. “Mobile toter” means a movable container which holds thirty-two, sixty or ninety gallons, with an attached fitting lid, and a thick skinned one-piece balanced weight body which sets on tires, which will be picked up at curbside. The director may approve collection company use of alternative mobile toters.

H. “Person” means every person, firm, partnership, business, association, institution, or corporation in the city accumulating garbage requiring disposal or generating, accumulating, and collecting recyclable materials. The term shall also mean the occupant and/or the owner of any premises for which service mentioned in this section is rendered.

I. “Recycle container” means toters or other containers approved by the director in which recyclable materials, including yard waste, can be stored and later placed at curbside, alleyside or other approved location. This term also includes but is not limited to designated commercial front load boxes, drop boxes and compactors at locations as may be specified by the director. The director may approve collection company use of alternative recycle containers.

J. “Recyclable materials” mean waste materials generated in the city capable of reuse as designated by the director, including but not limited to sorted or unsorted newsprint, glass, aluminum, ferrous and nonferrous cans, plastic containers designated as 1 or 2, mixed paper, and cardboard accumulated and intended for recycling or reuse and collection by the collection company. This term excludes all dangerous wastes and hazardous wastes as defined in Chapters 70.105 and 70.105A RCW, and solid wastes intended for disposal in a landfill, incinerator, or solid waste disposal facility under Chapter 173-304 WAC. All recyclable materials intended for collection by a city authorized collection company or contractor shall remain the responsibility and in the ownership of participants until such materials as contained in designed recycle containers are placed out for collection for the authorized contractor. Such materials then become the responsibility and property of the collection company or authorized contractor subject to the right of the participant to claim lost property of value.

K. “Solid waste” shall be defined by RCW 70.95.030 and WAC 173-304-100(73), with the exception of sludge from wastewater treatment plants and septage, from septic tanks, extremely hazardous waste, hazardous waste, dangerous waste, and problem wastes as defined in Chapters 173-204 and 173-303 WAC, and Chapters 70.105 and 70.105A RCW.

L. “Solid waste utility” shall be the city system of solid waste handling under Chapters 35.21 and 35.67 RCW and this code.

M. “Yard waste” means plant material including leaves, grass clippings, prunings, branches (cut to less than three feet and under four inches in diameter), and other biodegradable waste as may be designated by the director. Rocks, dirt and sod, except incidental amounts, are unacceptable. Materials may be bundled with twine or other similar organic string only. Yard waste does not include demolition debris such as concrete, wallboard, lumber or roofing materials. (Ord. 831 § 2, 1997).