Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mount Vernon
Trash Day
South Side collections occur on Monday and Thursday; North Side collections occur on Tuesday and Friday (rubbish is included on your second collection day).
Recycling
Every Wednesday (alternating weekly between paper/cardboard and commingled bottles/cans/plastics)
Yard Waste
Seasonal collection from April through autumn (suspended January through March)
Set Out Time
Before 7:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse fees are included on city property tax bills and payable in two installments, while sewer fees are billed separately on a quarterly basis by the Water Department.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes (Semi-Annually)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person
Resident-provided standard trash can or heavy-duty bags Bin (Trash)
Place at the curb securely tied or covered. Do not mix with recyclables or yard waste. Collection occurs twice a week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper products
Blue 32-gallon recycling bin (provided free by DPW) Bin (Recycling)
Commingled containers and paper/cardboard are collected weekly. All recyclables must be placed loosely in the bin; plastic bags are prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper and cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Plastic containers and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronics and e-waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (pizza boxes)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in an open container or brown paper Kraft refuse bag. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. No pickup occurs from January through March.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly for general rubbish; By Appointment for metals (April - Sept)
Placement
Rubbish should be placed out neatly on the second collection day of your week. Metal items require calling 914-665-2465 and must be placed out strictly on the assigned appointment date.
Accepted
- ✓ Standard bulky household rubbish
- ✓ Cast iron tubs (by appointment)
- ✓ Metal cabinets and desks (by appointment)
- ✓ Washers and dryers (by appointment)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers (E-waste)
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Bulk pickup for residents is included as part of the Refuse Sustainability Fee. Commercial and contractor waste is strictly prohibited from municipal curbside pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
There is no garbage collection on designated city holidays. Additionally, Alternate Side Parking regulations are generally suspended on these days.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection is already paused during the winter holidays (January-March) and is subject to delays during major summer and fall holidays to prioritize standard garbage routes.
Residents should refer to the printed DPW Sanitation Schedule calendar for the exact makeup days when a holiday falls on their normal Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday rotation.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - JuneApril marks the return of both yard waste collection and the appointment-only metal appliance pickup program. Ensure your yard waste is in brown paper bags, as DPW crews will leave plastic bags at the curb.
Autumn
September - NovemberSeptember is your last month to schedule a metal pickup appointment for the year. Following September, you will have to wait until the spring or haul scrap metal privately.
Winter
January - MarchThe Bureau of Sanitation officially suspends all yard waste collection for these three months to reallocate DPW staff and vehicles for winter snow and ice management.
Local Tips & Community Info
Department of Public Works Sanitation Services
The City of Mount Vernon takes immense pride in maintaining a clean and healthy urban environment for all taxpayers. The Bureau of Sanitation, operating under the broader Department of Public Works (DPW), is tasked with handling the heavy lifting of residential solid waste management. Each year, the dedicated municipal crews collect over 34,000 tons of refuse across the city's neighborhoods. Garbage pickup routes are scheduled consistently from Monday through Friday. Residents are reminded that standard household refuse should be placed at the curb in sturdy, waterproof containers with securely fitting lids to prevent local wildlife from creating a mess on the sidewalks.
Weekly Westchester County Recycling Standards
Complying with the waste reduction goals set forth by New York State and Westchester County, Mount Vernon mandates weekly curbside recycling for all homes and local businesses. The city operates a commingled program where plastics, glass jars, and metal cans should be rinsed and placed into designated recycling bins. Cardboard boxes must be flattened and tied, while clean paper products should be kept separate from wet garbage. Crucially, residents must avoid placing their recyclables inside plastic grocery bags, as these films notorious for jamming up the mechanical sorters at the county recycling facilities.
Appliance and Scrap Metal Appointments
Unlike regular household junk, heavy scrap metal and large appliances require special logistical handling. The Mount Vernon Bureau of Sanitation runs a specialized metal pickup program that operates exclusively between the months of April and September. This is not a curbside free-for-all; residents must proactively call the DPW at 914-665-2465 to lock in an appointment. Acceptable items include washing machines, metal desks, cast-iron bathtubs, and hot water heaters. If you are disposing of a refrigerator or an air conditioning unit, the Freon gas must be professionally removed beforehand to comply with federal environmental safety protocols.
Seasonal Yard Waste Regulations
When the harsh winter weather finally breaks, Mount Vernon homeowners inevitably turn their attention to landscaping and gardening. The city's official yard waste collection program officially commences each year in April. If you are clearing out dead leaves, pruning shrubs, or mowing the lawn, the resulting organic debris must be handled properly. Landscaping waste will only be collected if it is placed in an open, unlidded container or packed tightly into heavy-duty brown paper refuse bags. Using standard plastic garbage bags for leaves is strictly forbidden and will result in the pile being left behind by the sanitation workers.
Navigating Holiday Schedule Alterations
Sanitation workers observe all major federal holidays, which inevitably leads to temporary shifts in the neighborhood collection calendar. When a holiday like Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or Labor Day lands on a weekday, all subsequent garbage and recycling routes for that week are generally bumped back by one full day. The Mount Vernon local government always encourages residents to follow the official city social media channels or check the DPW website during holiday weeks to confirm the exact day their bins need to be wheeled out to the curb.
Drop-off Facilities
Westchester County Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF)
15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the contact number for Mount Vernon sanitation complaints?
If you experience a missed trash pickup or need to report a sanitation code violation, you can call the Department of Public Works directly at 914-665-2465. Their phone lines are typically staffed Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
When does Mount Vernon collect grass clippings and leaves?
The dedicated yard waste collection season in Mount Vernon begins every year in April. All organic debris must be placed in brown paper refuse bags or an open container without a lid.
Can I leave a broken grill or stove on the curb?
No, you cannot leave scrap metal or appliances on the curb without notice. You must call 914-665-2465 to schedule a specific metal pickup appointment, which are only available from April through September. Ensure any propane tanks are removed from grills.