VILLAS – Lower Township Council introduced an ordinance Feb. 4 that will regulate scrappers, those who canvass the township for discarded material to sell to scrap yards.
The ordinance states there is a need to regulate scrappers to protect the public and to credit the township for recycling the materials from the state.
Materials not permitted to picked up by scrappers includes aluminum, tin, steel cans, cardboard and paper.
The ordinance would require scrappers to purchase an annual $10 permit from the township. To qualify for a permit, the applicant must have a driver’s license proving residency in the township, show proof of vehicle insurance and sign an indemnification agreement releasing the township from any liability as a result of the applicant or their agents involved in scrapping activities.
All scrappers must provide the township with receipts from the salvage yard noting the weight and type of material removed from the township.
The ordinance notes no material gathered in scrapping may be stored anywhere in the township unless stored in an area “previously and expressly approved by the Township of Lower as being an appropriate site for the storage of such materials.”
Scrappers who do not comply with the ordinance may be fined from $50 to more than $500 or face 90 days in jail at the discretion of the municipal judge.
The scrapping permit may be revoked for violations at the discretion of the township clerk.
Councilman Tom Conrad said at a time when council was trying to control the budget, the recycling of metals was important so the township would receive rebates.
“Council is not without compassion,” said Mayor Michael Beck. “We understand the economic times.”
Township Manager Michael Voll said the township would allow scrapping but it wanted a receipt because it receives tonnage grants and recycling rebates.
Only township residents would be allowed to scrap, he said.
An old ordinance makes it illegal for a scrapper to pick up items at curbside. Voll said it was not economically feasible for the township to send a truck to pick up small amounts of metal.
He said it makes more sense for scrappers to pick up the items, take it to a recycling center and give the township the receipt.
“The more tonnage we have, the more money that goes back to the township,” said Voll.
