To Portland residents:
Beginning July 1, 2009, the following changes to the Riverside Recycling Facility E-Card Program will go into effect.1. Eligible Portland homeowners will continue to receive one e-card per property. Owners of multi-family buildings who previously received up to four per property will now receive one e-card per property.
2. The program provides free disposal of bulky household items that are not suitable for regular blue bag trash pick-up. Each year (July 1 – June 30), your
e-card can be used for the free disposal of up to 10 bulky items.
Please note that each item disposed of will be counted towards your ten bulky item limit.
3. The following items qualify for the free 10 bulky item disposal:
- Furniture such as couches, stuffed chairs, tables, book cases, desks
- Bedding including box springs and mattresses
- Brush (less than 2”in diameter)
- Appliances without Freon such as washers, dryers, stoves
- Gas Grills
- Patio Furniture
- Bicycles
- Yard equipment, such as lawn mowers, rototillers and snow blowers (fuel must be removed)
- Yard Waste such as leaves, grass clippings and garden waste
4. The following items are not accepted as part of the free 10 bulky item disposal. You can dispose of these items at Riverside Recycling Facility for a fee. Visit the city’s website, www.portlandmaine.gov for fee information.
- Material from demolition or remodeling such as shingles, sheetrock and lumber
- Fencing
- Loose material that could be put in bags such as clothing, small toys, cassette tapes, small appliances, etc. (These items can be set out for regular trash collection in city blue bags.)
- Tires
- Appliances with Freon such as air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers
- Large tree branches or trunks
- Vehicles or parts of vehicles
5. Yard waste and brush can now be received in ˝ cubic yard increments, which will count as ˝ of a bulky item.
6. Universal waste such as TVs, computer monitors, fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent bulbs, thermostats, CPUs & peripherals can be disposed or recycled at the Riverside Facility for free with a valid e-card. These items are not applied to the 10 free bulky item disposal.
7. E-Card holders are entitled to make two visits to dispose of up to 5 gallons of Household Hazardous Waste, such as oil based paint, thinners, pesticides, solvents, and cleaners, on specified collection days (visit the city’s website, www.portlandmaine.gov for the schedule). This waste is not applied to the 10 free bulky item disposal.
Please note: Latex paint is not hazardous and is not accepted as part of the program. Please let latex paint dry and dispose of in your regular trash.
8. There is a $5 replacement fee for lost or stolen e-cards. New and replacement e-cards can be picked up at the Department of Public Services, 55 Portland Street between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday.
9. E-Cards will renew automatically on July 1 each year. E-Card balances do not roll over from year to year.
10. E-Card holders must present their e-card to gate staff at the time of delivery in order to use e-card benefits. The city cannot provide reimbursement for disposal fees paid.
11. For more information about or trash and recycling within the City of Portland, please call 756-8189 or visit the city’s website, www.portlandmaine.gov. Federal and state holidays may affect your trash and recycling pick-up schedule. Below is a list of holiday trash pick-up schedule changes:
- Independence Day: Friday, July 3, 2009 – Collection day will not change (Friday, July 3, 2009)
- Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2009 – Collection will occur Saturday, September 5, 2009
- Columbus Day: Monday, October 12, 2009 – Collection will occur on Saturday, October 10, 2009
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 – Collection day will not change (Wednesday, November 11, 2009)
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26, 2009 - There will be no collection
- Thanksgiving Friday: Friday, November 27, 2009 - There will be no collection
- Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2009 - Collection will occur on Saturday, December 26, 2009
Current E-card holders will NOT need to replace their E-card. Your E-card will be renewed automatically on July 1st of each year. ONLY multi-unit cards with a symbol #2, #3 or #4 will be deactivated on July 1, 2009.
Curbside leaf and yard waste collection will occur October 26 – November 20, 2009. Please put your material in a paper lawn and leaf bag and set it out on your regular trash day. For more information, please call 756-8189.