What's the cheapest way to get rid of junk?

The cheapest way to get rid of junk depends on two things: how fast you need it gone and how much effort you're willing to put in. Here's every option ranked from cheapest to most convenient, with real costs and tradeoffs for each.

Option 1: City bulk pickup (Free)

Most cities offer a bulk or large-item pickup service through the regular trash utility. You schedule a pickup, place items at the curb on the designated day, and a city truck collects them at no charge.

The catch: wait times are typically 2–9 weeks depending on your city. Many cities limit what they'll take — pile size restrictions (often 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet), no appliances with refrigerants, no electronics, no construction debris. Some cities only offer bulk pickup once per month or once per quarter. And not all cities offer this service at all — check with your local waste utility before counting on it.

Best for: people who aren't in a hurry and have items that fit within their city's restrictions.

Option 2: Donation (Free)

Organizations like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and Salvation Army will pick up usable furniture and household items for free. Some even schedule at-home pickups.

The limitations: items must be in good, functional condition. They won't accept mattresses with stains, broken furniture, particle board pieces that are falling apart, or anything damaged. Pickup scheduling typically takes 1–2 weeks. You'll need to be home during their pickup window. And if they arrive and decide an item doesn't meet their standards, they'll leave it.

Best for: items in genuinely good condition that someone else could use.

Option 3: Self-haul to dump ($30–80)

You can rent a pickup truck or trailer (or use your own), load everything yourself, drive to your local transfer station or landfill, and pay a disposal fee based on weight or load size.

Truck rental runs $20–40 for a few hours. Dump fees vary by location but typically cost $10–40 per load. Factor in gas and 2–4 hours of your time including loading, driving, waiting in line, unloading, and driving back. You'll also need to physically lift everything into the truck bed.

Best for: people with access to a truck who don't mind the physical labor and time commitment.

Option 4: Dropcurb ($79)

Book online in about 60 seconds. Select your items, see the exact price, and confirm. Move items to the curb. A local hauler picks them up the same day. You get a text with photo confirmation when it's done. No truck needed, no dump trip, no appointment window, no need to be home.

The base pickup fee is $79 and includes your first standard item. Additional items start at $19 each. A surcharge applies for appliances (+$30). Your total is locked in before you book — no surprises.

Best for: people who want items gone today without the hassle of doing it themselves.

Option 5: Traditional junk removal ($150–600+)

Full-service companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, LoadUp, and local haulers send a crew to your home. They walk through, assess the items, give you an on-site quote, and remove everything if you accept. Pricing is volume-based — roughly how much space your items take up in their truck.

The tradeoffs: you need to schedule 2–3 days out, be home during a 2–4 hour appointment window, let strangers walk through your house, and accept a quote you don't see until they arrive. A single couch removal can cost $130–250.

Best for: items you physically cannot move to the curb (pianos, hot tubs, heavy items in basements or attics).

Cost comparison:

Which option is right for you?

If you have weeks to spare and your city offers free bulk pickup, that's the cheapest route. If items are in great condition, try donation first. If you own a truck and don't mind spending half a day, self-haul is affordable. If you want it done today with zero hassle, Dropcurb gets it done for $79. And if items are trapped inside your home and you can't move them, traditional junk removal is your only option — just expect to pay significantly more.

Common item costs with Dropcurb: