Philadelphia bulk trash pickup: schedule, rules & how to schedule
Philadelphia has two ways to get rid of large items: a bulk-collection appointment for things like appliances, metal-frame furniture, flat-screen TVs and tires, and up to two large items (including a plastic-wrapped mattress) on your regular trash day.
Scheduled + appointmentFree or included
How pickup works
| Type | Appointment + 2 items on trash day |
| Schedule | Bulk appointments are first come, first served and can be booked up to a month ahead. You may have one appointment per household per week. Regular trash collection still takes up to two large items per household on your normal trash day. |
| Limits | Four bulk items per appointment. Passenger car tires are limited to 4 per appointment, with the rims removed. |
| Cost | The official program pages do not list a fee for this residential service. |
| Who is eligible | Residential households in Philadelphia, including multi-family properties with up to six units. Larger buildings and commercial properties must use a private hauler. |
| How to set items out | Place items at your normal collection point the evening before (no earlier than 5 p.m. in fall and winter, 7 p.m. in spring and summer) and have them out by 7 a.m. on pickup day. Label each item with the 4-letter pickup code from your confirmation email. |
How to book
Schedule online at bulkcollection.phila.gov. You can also start from the city's services page.
Philadelphia Bulk Collection →Phone: 311
What they accept
Usually accepted
- Major appliances (A/Cs, water heaters, refrigerators — fridge doors must be removed)
- Household furniture with a metal frame (keep it intact)
- Large toys
- Flat-screen TVs
- Passenger car tires (rims removed, 4 maximum)
- Metal bathtubs
Usually not accepted
- Household trash
- Mattresses (these go out with regular trash, wrapped in plastic — unwrapped mattresses can bring a fine)
- Hazardous, flammable or explosive materials
- Auto parts
- Construction or demolition materials
- Toilets (these can go out with regular trash)
- Wooden-frame furniture (put that out with regular trash)
Mattresses
Not collected through the bulk appointment. Wrap the mattress in plastic and put it out with regular trash. Unwrapped mattresses are not eligible and may be fined.
Appliances (including Freon)
Refrigerators, air conditioners and water heaters are collected by appointment. Refrigerator doors must be removed.
Tires
Up to 4 passenger car tires per appointment, rims removed.
E-waste
Flat-screen TVs are accepted by appointment. Other electronics are not listed on the bulk-program page — confirm with 311 or use a convenience center.
If you would rather drop it off
City sanitation convenience centers take trash, bulky items, tires, mattresses, electronics and recycling for residents. See FindMyDump.
Find official landfills, transfer stations and drop-off centers in Philadelphia on FindMyDump: Philadelphia dumps and drop-off sites.