City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A "RED TAG" BULK
ITEM DISPOSAL PROGRAM ADMINISTERED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Whereas, in correspondence dated November 3, 2025, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works formally requested authorization to establish and implement a "Red Tag Bulk Item Disposal Program" as an official municipal policy governing the collection and disposal of oversized household waste items; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works ("DPW") is responsible for providing safe, efficient, and cost-effective sanitation and solid waste collection services for the residents of the City of Mount Vernon; and
Whereas, oversized household items such as furniture, mattresses, and appliances present unique operational challenges because they cannot be compacted in standard refuse trucks and require additional labor, equipment, and disposal costs; and
Whereas, under current collection practices, the costs associated with bulky waste disposal are absorbed within the City's general tax base, resulting in an inequitable system where all residents subsidize the expenses incurred by a relatively small number of users; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works has proposed the creation of a "Red Tag Bulk Item Disposal Program" to implement a fair, user-pays system that aligns with successful models adopted by other municipalities across New York State and the region; and
Whereas, the proposed program will require residents to purchase and affix a red disposal tag to oversized household items prior to curbside collection, thereby ensuring cost recovery, promoting responsible disposal, and reducing illegal dumping; and
Whereas, the program will utilize a simple, tiered pricing structure reflecting the true handling cost of bulky items, as follows:
* $12 Tag - for general household bulky items such as chairs, tables, rolled carpets, bicycles, sofas, dressers, and mattress...
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