How to Schedule Bulk Trash Pickup: 3 Simple Steps

Every once in a while, you have an item that won’t fit in your regular garbage bin. It’s tempting to just put it on the curb, but this doesn’t guarantee that it’ll get picked up on trash day. Most of the time, you’ll need to schedule a bulk trash pickup service to dispose of large or heavy items. The process is simple, and there are also several great alternatives.

What Is Bulk Trash Pickup?

Bulk trash pickup is separate from your regular trash disposal and recycling services. It’s a safe and convenient way to get rid of items that are too large to fit into a standard waste bin or that are too heavy or difficult to handle during regular trash pickup. Bulk trash pickup is a good option if you cannot transport the large item to a disposal site yourself.

Items that commonly require bulk trash pickup include:

• Mattresses and box springs

• Bed frames

• Christmas trees

• Cabinetry

• Furniture

How Much Does It Cost to Schedule Bulk Trash Pickup?  

The cost of bulk trash pickup varies by location. In many cities and townships, it’s included as part of an overall waste management service, which tends to cost $20 to $80 per month. In some locations, however, separate fees are associated with bulk pickup.

If your municipality doesn’t offer bulk trash pickup, or if you have a large volume of items to get rid of, you can also hire a local garbage removal pro or junk removal service. The cost of junk removal can range from $60 to $700, depending on the amount and type of items you have to remove.

How to Schedule Bulk Trash Pickup

Scheduling bulk trash pickup is a straightforward process with only a few simple steps.

1. Contact Your Waste Management Service Provider

Call or search online to determine whether or not your local waste management company or municipality offers bulk trash pickup service. If they don't, contact a local junk removal service.

You'll provide your name, location, contact information, and a description of your items for pickup.

2. Receive Confirmation from Your Provider

If you submit your request over the phone, you may receive confirmation immediately with a date and time to expect pickup. If you submit your request via an online form, you'll need to wait for the provider to receive and process your request before they confirm. At this time, ask any questions you have about where it is best to leave your items.

3. Prepare Your Items for Pickup

Follow any guidance your pickup provider provides about preparing your items for pickup. This may include:

• Bundling yard trimmings in compostable bags

• Covering fabric items in plastic

• Draining water from appliances and plumbing fixtures

• Dividing long items into smaller sections

Alternatives for Disposing of Bulk Trash Items

If bulk pickup is unavailable in your area or if your provider deems your items unacceptable for pickup, you have other disposal options.

• Transport the items to a landfill or other waste disposal site yourself

• Donate or recycle the item locally

• Rent a dumpster for large quantities of waste, such as construction debris

Many waste management providers and junk removal companies won’t handle hazardous waste. The best approach for how to dispose of hazardous waste will depend on the type of waste, so do your research to ensure you dispose of it safely.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Bulk trash pickup is often available at no additional cost for waste management customers. If you need to hire a junk removal service, you’ll pay anywhere from $60 to $700. Depending on the type of trash you’re removing, you may save by renting a truck and hauling the item or items yourself. A moving truck costs anywhere from $30 to $3,500.

Another option is renting a roll-off dumpster, which you can fill yourself and then have hauled away by the dumpster rental provider. The average cost of a dumpster rental is $300 to $500.