Bulk Trash Collection: Schedules, Rules & Options [2026]

Every city handles bulk trash collection differently. Some use fixed neighborhood schedules, others are appointment-based, and some offer both. Here is how major cities run their programs in 2026.

• •New York City: Schedule through 311 or online portal. Items collected on your regular trash day after scheduling. File missed collection complaints starting Sunday at 8 AM.
• •Los Angeles: 3 free bulky collections per year through LA Sanitation. Schedule online or call customer care. Wait times of 6-7 weeks reported by residents.
• •Chicago: Call 311 to request bulky item pickup. Collected during regular service.
• •Phoenix: Appointment-based — schedule online or call 602-262-6251. Minimum 3 business days advance notice required.
• •Dallas: Fixed neighborhood schedule for brush and bulky collection. Check your zone at dallascityhall.com.
• •Houston: Free for residents — schedule through Solid Waste Management.
• •Washington DC: By appointment through DPW for households receiving DPW trash service.
• •Atlanta: Scheduled bulk collection program through Department of Public Works.
• •Columbus, OH: Bulk collection program with specific neighborhood schedules.
• •Fort Worth: Bulk waste collection through Environmental Services.
• •Baltimore: Bulk trash pickup — schedule through public works.
• •San Diego: 2 free bulky pickups per year for residents.
• •Salt Lake City: 2 free Call 2 Haul pickups per year.
• •Kansas City: Free — up to 15 items per collection, schedule through 311.
• •Miami-Dade: Schedule a bulky waste pickup online. $31 per cubic yard for excess waste.

Finding your city's bulk collection schedule takes one of these steps depending on where you live.

For appointment-based cities (NYC, LA, Phoenix, DC, Baltimore, Kansas City), visit your city's waste management website or call 311. You'll pick an available date and receive confirmation.

For fixed-schedule cities (Dallas, Fort Worth, Columbus), your bulk collection day is assigned by neighborhood zone. Visit your city's sanitation department website and enter your address to find your zone and schedule. Dallas publishes brush and bulky collection dates by area on their sanitation services page.

For hybrid cities, check both. Some cities offer routine scheduled collection plus on-demand appointments for additional pickups.

The fastest way to find your schedule: search "[your city] bulk trash collection schedule" or call 311. Most cities also have a waste management app or online portal where you enter your address and see your next collection date.

Every city publishes specific rules about what qualifies for bulk trash collection. Breaking these rules means your items get left at the curb — and possibly a fine.

Generally accepted items include furniture (couches, tables, dressers, bookshelves), mattresses and box springs, large appliances with conditions (refrigerant-containing units like refrigerators often need separate scheduling), carpet rolls, exercise equipment, outdoor furniture, and grills with propane tanks removed.

Generally rejected items include tires, electronics and e-waste (TVs, computers, monitors), hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, batteries, motor oil), construction debris (drywall, lumber, roofing, concrete), car parts and batteries, items over weight limits (75-100 lbs in some cities), and yard waste exceeding length limits.

Placement rules matter too. Most cities require items at the curb no earlier than 24-48 hours before your collection date. Items must be accessible from the street — not behind fences, in garages, or blocking sidewalks. Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed or secured open for safety. Violating placement rules can result in your items being skipped and potential code enforcement fines.

Free municipal bulk collection works well for planned, small-scale disposal. It breaks down in several common scenarios.

Moving out on a deadline. You can't wait 6 weeks for the city when your lease ends Friday. Private pickup through Dropcurb ($79, same day) or LoadUp ($55-200+, 1-3 days) solves the timeline problem.

Exceeding item limits. Kansas City's 15-item cap and similar limits in other cities mean a full garage cleanout requires multiple appointments weeks apart. Private services have no item limits — price additional items at $19-39 each with Dropcurb.

Rejected items. Your city won't take that old TV, the pile of tires, or the broken hot tub. Private services like Dropcurb accept electronics and most non-hazardous items that municipal programs reject.

Apartment living. Municipal bulk collection typically serves single-family homes only. Apartment residents need private services or must coordinate through their property manager. Dropcurb works for apartments as long as items reach a ground-level pickup point.

Missed pickups. City crews skip items that don't meet placement rules or aren't on the accepted list. In NYC, you can file missed collection complaints starting Sunday at 8 AM — but that means waiting another cycle. Private services pick up what you booked, period.

Private junk removal companies offer bulk trash collection without the scheduling constraints of city programs.

Dropcurb charges $79 for the first curbside item and $19 to $39 for each additional item. Book online in 60 seconds, place items at the curb, and a local hauler picks up — often the same day. No phone calls, no estimates, no appointment windows.

LoadUp charges $55 to $200+ per item with online upfront pricing. They offer both curbside and full-service indoor pickup. Service area fees of $50 to $80 apply per order. Next-day or 2-3 day pickup in most markets.

1-800-GOT-JUNK charges by truck volume starting at $130 to $180 for a minimum load. No prices shown online or by phone — requires an on-site estimate. Same-day available with early booking. Best for large-volume jobs where per-item pricing gets expensive.

Waste Management adds bulk collection to existing residential accounts in some markets for $25 to $75+ per pickup. Requires 7+ days advance scheduling. Not available everywhere.