Seal Up Your Garbage, New Morristown Ordinance Requires

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Morristown's Town Council made it clear: curbside garbage must be securely tied in bags and placed in a can. The ordinance, passed at Tuesday's meeting, is designed so people don't leave their bags directly on the curb and attract animals.

The ordinance — see page 40 of the meeting agenda — will likely undergo changes though. It currently states, "Garbage shall be in a securely tied plastic bag before placed in any garbage can or other receptacle for garbage disposal."

"Plastic" was the key word of interest. Councilmember Rober Iannaccone said a constituent asked whether the bags had to be plastic, or whether they could be biodegradable or another material.

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Iannaccone asked whether they could change the wording of the ordinance to allow for different types of bags. Town Attorney David Minchello said that, in that case, they would need to re-advertise the ordinance and put it up for first reading at a future meeting.

Instead, the council decided to unanimously pass the ordinance as is and amend it in the future.

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