5/11/2012 - Big Trash? Tag it & Take it to the Curb
City launches new bulky item disposal program Monday

PORTLAND, Maine – Starting Monday, the City of Portland’s Department of Public Services will officially launch a new bulky waste program, Tag It – Bulky Item Pick-Up, for residents. The online program offers an easy and affordable way for residents to dispose of bulky and large items. Developed by department staff and the Solid Waste Task Force, the new program replaces the city’s heavy item pick-up and provides residents and renters alike with an easy method to dispose of large items.

“We realize that people sometimes need to get rid of items that are too large to fit in a regular City of Portland trash bag. This could be an old piece of furniture or something smaller, such as a child’s car seat or an old kitchen chair. With this program, the answer is a click away,” said Troy Moon, Environmental Programs and Open Space Manager.

Residents who wish to participate in the program may do so by filling out an online form at recycle.portlandmaine.gov. Staff from the Department of Public Services will confirm the request via e-mail and issue the requested bulky item tag(s) to the resident through the US mail. Once the tag is received, generally two to three days after requested, the resident should secure it to the item and set it out at the curb on the specified date for pick-up. Generally, the disposal date will be the resident’s next regularly scheduled trash day. Tags for bulky items weighing less than thirty pounds such as kitchen chairs, cribs, lawn furniture, and toys are free and limited to ten per eligible household a year. Bulky Tags for items weighing more than thirty pounds, such as couches, beds, dressers and mattresses will be issued at a set fee of $40 per item

As part of the city’s efforts to reduce waste, residents are encouraged to donate unwanted items that are in usable condition to local charitable organizations or give them to friends or neighbors who could use them. Residents can also contact private waste haulers for disposal services.

The Tag It - Bulky Item Pick-Up program will operate from April to November annually. Electronic waste like televisions, computer monitors and other components are not eligible for this program. There are several options for recycling these items. For more information, visit the city’s website.

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