Free bulk trash pickup by city
Looking for a free bulky-item pickup? In many US cities, the standard couch or mattress collection is included in regular trash service, or offered at no extra charge if you book it. Below is every no-cost (or included) program we found on official pages in our directory, with a short note and a link to the source.
| City | What the official program offers | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | Request at least 24 hours ahead; large items are collected on your next trash day, up to a standard pickup load. | See Albuquerque rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Austin, TX | Up to three on-demand bulk collections a year for Austin Resource Recovery customers (single-family through fourplex). | See Austin rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Baltimore, MD | Monthly Saturday bulk pickup of up to 3 items (request through 311 at least four working days ahead). | See Baltimore rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Columbus, OH | Free scheduled pickup of furniture, mattresses, carpet and non-refrigerant appliances. You must book it first. | See Columbus rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Dallas, TX | Monthly curbside collection of up to 10 cubic yards on your assigned week, no appointment. One 20-yard oversize collection per year by request. | See Dallas rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Denver, CO | Large items collected every nine weeks on your trash day: up to 5 large items and 10 extra bags, no appointment. | See Denver rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Fort Worth, TX | Monthly curbside bulk collection of up to 10 cubic yards on your assigned week, no appointment. | See Fort Worth rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Fresno, CA | One free bulky-item pickup per year (a single item such as a couch or mattress) for customers in good standing. | See Fresno rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Houston, TX | Included for city curbside customers: every other month (even months), up to 8 cubic yards, six collections a year. | See Houston rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Indianapolis, IN | Up to two bulky items a month on your heavy-trash day, no appointment. Freon appliances need a special request. | See Indianapolis rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Kansas City, MO | Free appointment, Monday–Friday, up to 15 items under 500 pounds for homes and buildings of 6 units or fewer. | See Kansas City rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Las Vegas, NV | Every-other-week curbside bulk pickup through Republic Services. Look up your A or B week by address. | See Las Vegas rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Los Angeles, CA | Free unlimited curbside bulky pickup on your trash day if you request it at least one business day ahead. Monthly drop-off events too. | See Los Angeles rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Memphis, TN | Twice-monthly “Outside the Cart” collection of furniture and extra yard debris on your regular collection day. | See Memphis rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Miami, FL | City of Miami: weekly scheduled bulky pickup (bundled items under 3 feet and 50 pounds). Miami-Dade waste-fee customers: 2 appointments a year, up to 25 cubic yards each. | See Miami rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Minneapolis, MN | Up to two large items a week with city collection. Mark each item “For Solid Waste.” Mattresses and appliances go out on recycling week. | See Minneapolis rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| New Orleans, LA | Request bulky collection through 311. Eligible homes can set out furniture, mattresses, appliances and up to 4 tires; do not put items out more than 24 hours early. | See New Orleans rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| New York City, NY | Free curbside collection of up to 6 large items per collection day. No appointment. | See New York City rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Oakland, CA | Free bulky drop-off and curbside pickup by appointment (up to 4 cubic yards plus limited appliances, mattresses, tires and TVs). | See Oakland rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | Monthly curbside bulky pickup; the first 4 cubic yards are included in your monthly fees. | See Oklahoma City rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Philadelphia, PA | Appointment for up to 4 bulk items, once a week, plus up to 2 large items on your regular trash day (mattresses must be wrapped in plastic). | See Philadelphia rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Phoenix, AZ | Up to four appointment-based collections a year, 10 cubic yards each. Schedule before you set anything out. | See Phoenix rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Sacramento, CA | Two free household-junk appointments a year, February–October. A special pickup at other times starts at $39.48. | See Sacramento rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| San Antonio, TX | Two curbside brush or bulky collections a year (up to 8 cubic yards). Extra collections start at $50. | See San Antonio rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| San Francisco, CA | Two free curbside collections a year for buildings of 5 units or fewer (10 items each). Larger buildings: one free collection per unit. | See San Francisco rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| San Jose, CA | No-cost Junk Pickup for owners and renters, up to 12 items, on your regular collection day. | See San Jose rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Tampa, FL | One free S.W.E.E.P. collection a year, up to 10 cubic yards, on your assigned Sunday. Extra pickups are $18.12 per cubic yard. | See Tampa rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Tucson, AZ | Twice-yearly Brush and Bulky collection, up to 10 cubic yards. A special pickup can be requested any time. | See Tucson rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
| Washington, DC | Appointment through 311, up to 7 items, for homes and buildings of 3 units or fewer that get DPW trash service. | See Washington rules official page · verified November 12, 2026 |
Tips for using a free pickup
- Check whether you must book it. “Free” does not always mean you can just set items out.
- Stay within the limit. Free often means a set number of items, cubic yards or pickups per year. Extra volume is usually billed.
- Read the special rules. Mattresses, refrigerators and tires are often treated differently from a couch.
- Confirm before you set items out. Days and fees change. Open the official page linked above.
Frequently asked questions
Which cities have free bulky item pickup?
In our directory, 29 cities offer a standard bulky-item pickup that is free or included in regular trash service (often with an item or volume limit): Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth, Fresno, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Oakland, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose, Tampa, Tucson and Washington. Other cities charge per load or per item, or use a drop-off program instead.
Is “included in my trash bill” the same as free?
Usually yes, for the standard amount. Many cities include a set number of pickups, items or cubic yards in the monthly trash fee, and charge only if you go over that limit or book an extra collection.
Do I still need an appointment if pickup is free?
Often yes. Cities such as Kansas City, San José, Columbus and Los Angeles still require you to request the pickup, even when there is no extra charge. Items left out without a request may not be collected.
What if my city is not on this list?
It may still have a paid pickup, a drop-off site, or a paused program. Search from the homepage or browse all cities. Always confirm on the official page linked from the city guide.