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
!Contamination Tips
Freon Removal is Mandatory
Before scheduling an appointment for the DPW to pick up an old refrigerator or air conditioner during the April-September metal collection window, you must hire a certified professional to remove the Freon and properly tag the appliance.
Strip Sofa Beds Down to the Frame
If you are setting out a sleeper sofa for metal pickup, the Mount Vernon sanitation crews will not take it as-is. You are required to strip away all mattresses and upholstery; only the bare metal frame will be accepted.
No Propane Tanks on Grills
Barbecue grills can be collected via the seasonal metal pickup program, but you must completely remove the propane tank first. Pressurized tanks pose a severe explosion hazard in municipal compactor trucks.
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.
About Mount Vernon Waste Management
Understanding the Refuse Sustainability Fee
To combat aging infrastructure and improve neighborhood cleanliness, the City of Mount Vernon recently implemented a Refuse Sustainability Fee. This is not a tax, but a flat annual fee (typically $200 per residential unit) billed via property taxes. The revenue directly funds the replacement of broken sanitation vehicles, city-wide rat and rodent prevention initiatives, and the capacity to comply with strict EPA and DEC environmental standards.
Twice-Weekly Garbage and Rubbish Days
The Bureau of Sanitation services the city on a dual-schedule system. Depending on your neighborhood, your household garbage will be picked up on either a Monday/Thursday or a Tuesday/Friday schedule. The second collection day of your week (Thursday or Friday) is specifically designated as your 'Garbage & Rubbish' day, which is when standard bulky household items should be placed at the curb for removal.
The 'Love Our City' Free Recycling Bin Program
To boost the city's waste diversion rates and reduce greenhouse gases, Mount Vernon utilized American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide free 32-gallon recycling bins with lids to homeowners. Residents can register for their free bin through the Department of Public Works online portal. Utilizing proper bins ensures a uniform collection system and prevents recyclables from blowing into Mount Vernon's streets and storm drains.
Appointment-Only Metal Pickups
Unlike standard household rubbish, scrap metal and large appliances are not collected during weekly garbage routes. Mount Vernon DPW requires residents to schedule an appointment by calling 914-665-2465 for metal pickups. Furthermore, this service is highly seasonal—metal collection only operates from April through September. Accepted items include cast iron tubs, metal cabinets, and hot water tanks.
Strict Winter Yard Waste Suspension
Yard waste regulations in Mount Vernon are rigidly enforced. The most critical rule for homeowners is the three-month winter suspension: absolutely no yard waste is collected during January, February, and March. When collection resumes in April, all yard debris must be placed in an open container or a brown paper refuse bag to ensure pickup.
Drop-off Facilities
Westchester County Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF)
15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I throw away an old stove or metal desk in Mount Vernon?
Scrap metal and large appliances are collected by appointment only, and strictly between April and September. You must call the DPW at 914-665-2465 to schedule a pickup.
Why wasn't my yard waste picked up in February?
The Mount Vernon Bureau of Sanitation completely suspends all yard waste collection during the months of January, February, and March for winter operations. Pickups resume in April.
Can I put my recycling in a plastic bag?
No, plastic bags are prohibited in the recycling stream. You can request a free 32-gallon blue recycling bin with a lid from the city by filling out the Free Recycling Bin Registration Form on the DPW website.
What is the Refuse Sustainability Fee on my tax bill?
The Refuse Sustainability Fee is a flat annual charge (around $200 for standard residential units) used to fund the replacement of aging sanitation vehicles, rat prevention programs, and general neighborhood cleanups, as these costs are not covered by general property taxes.