Bulk Trash Hauling: What It Costs and How to Book [2026]

Trash haulers charge based on volume, item count, or a combination of both. Here's what to expect from the main options in 2026:

• •City bulk pickup: Free to $35 per load in most cities. NYC collects up to 6 large items at no charge. Raleigh charges $35 per bulky load. Miami-Dade charges $31 per cubic yard.

• •Dropcurb: $79 for the first item, discounts on additional items. No estimates, no phone calls — book online in 60 seconds and get same-day pickup.

• •LoadUp: Starts at $89 per item plus a $50-80 service area fee. Average order runs about $143.

• •1-800-GOT-JUNK: $130 for a minimum load up to $600+ for a full truck. Requires an in-person estimate before you get a price.

• •Junk King: Free on-site estimates, volume-based pricing similar to 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Typical single-item jobs start around $99.

• •DIY dump run: Transfer station fees range from $20 to $75 per load depending on your city. You need your own truck and time.

Most junk removal services advertising a $99 minimum include hauling one to three small items from your curb or driveway. That base price typically covers:

• •Loading your items onto the truck
• •Transportation to the disposal facility or donation center
• •Disposal fees for standard household items

What's usually NOT included at $99: inside-the-home pickup, heavy appliances like refrigerators (often $25-50 extra), hazardous materials, or construction debris requiring special disposal. Dropcurb charges $79 for curbside pickup — no surprise add-ons because all items are already outside when the hauler arrives.

Getting rid of bulk trash depends on how fast you need it gone and how much you have. Here are your options ranked by convenience:

• •Same-day hauling service: Book Dropcurb or a local junk hauler for pickup within hours. Best when you need items gone before a move-out, showing, or HOA deadline.

• •City bulk program: Schedule through 311 or your city's website. Free in most areas but the wait is 2 to 9 weeks and most programs limit you to 6-15 items per request.

• •Donation pickup: Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity ReStore pick up usable furniture for free. Schedule 1-2 weeks out and items must be in good condition.

• •Dumpster rental: Best for multi-day cleanouts like estate cleanouts or renovation debris. Budget $300-500 for a 10-yard dumpster for one week.

• •DIY haul to dump: Cheapest option if you own a truck. Most transfer stations charge $20-75 per load. Check hours — many close by 4 PM on weekdays.

Most cities offer free or low-cost bulk trash hauling, but the rules and wait times vary dramatically:

• •New York City: Free. Schedule via 311 or NYC.gov. Up to 6 large items per collection day. Must be at the curb by 6 PM the night before.

• •Los Angeles: Free through LA Sanitation. Up to 7 items per request, 3 requests per year. Current backlog is 6-7 weeks per Reddit users.

• •Phoenix: Free with online scheduling. Requires 3+ business days advance notice. Accepts most household items except hazardous waste.

• •Salt Lake City: 2 free Call2Haul pickups per year. Schedule online. Additional pickups available for a fee.

• •San Francisco: 2 free bulky pickups per year through Recology. Additional collections at extra cost.

• •Raleigh: $35 per bulky load. Schedule through the city portal.

• •Miami-Dade: $31 per cubic yard for bulky waste. Must schedule in advance.

The biggest complaints on Reddit: long wait times, strict item limits, items that don't qualify (electronics, appliances with refrigerant, tires), and no-shows from city crews.

The cheapest way to get rid of bulk trash depends on what you're discarding:

• •Sellable items: Post on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist with "free — you haul." Furniture and working appliances go within hours in most cities.

• •Donatable items: Schedule a free pickup from Salvation Army, Goodwill, or Habitat ReStore. Tax deduction offsets any hassle.

• •City bulk pickup: Free in most cities if you can wait 2-9 weeks. Check your city's 311 portal for scheduling.

• •Scrap metal: Old appliances, metal furniture, and car parts have scrap value. Many scrap yards pick up for free if you have enough metal.

• •Community cleanup events: Many cities hold free drop-off events quarterly. Check your city website for the next date.

When free options won't work — you're on a deadline, have too many items, or can't get to the curb — Dropcurb starts at $79 with same-day pickup. That's less than renting a truck and doing it yourself once you factor in gas, dump fees, and your time.

The right choice depends on how much you're getting rid of and how long the project takes:

• •Bulk trash hauling (Dropcurb, LoadUp, 1-800-GOT-JUNK): Best for 1-15 items. Someone else does the loading. No driveway space needed. Done in one visit.

• •Dumpster rental (Waste Management, Budget Dumpster, local companies): Best for multi-day projects like renovations, estate cleanouts, or construction debris. Costs $300-500 per week for a 10-yard container. You do the loading.

For most household bulk trash — old furniture, a broken appliance, boxes of junk — a hauling service is faster and often cheaper than renting a dumpster. A dumpster makes sense when you have ongoing debris over several days or more than 10 cubic yards of material.