Bulk Trash Pickup in Boston, MA — 2026 Guide
Need to get rid of furniture, a mattress, or an old appliance in Boston, Massachusetts? This guide explains how bulk and bulky item pickup works in Boston, including how to schedule it, what’s accepted, where to place your items, and the official Boston link to book your collection.
How bulk trash pickup works in Boston, MA
Type of service: Appointment-based special item pickup via 311 / Trash Day app; furniture goes out with normal curbside trash
Schedule special item pickup through Boston 311: call 3-1-1 or 617-635-4500, or submit a request through the Trash Day app. The official page also provides a “Schedule A Special Item Pickup” flow, and says special items are not collected without an appointment.
How to schedule a bulky item pickup in Boston
Schedule special item pickup through Boston 311: call 3-1-1 or 617-635-4500, or submit a request through the Trash Day app. The official page also provides a “Schedule A Special Item Pickup” flow, and says special items are not collected without an appointment.
Schedule pickup on the official Boston site →
How often can you schedule pickup? Limits in Boston
Special item collection is limited to 10 items per calendar year, with a maximum of 5 items per appointment. The service is free on the official page; if you exceed the limit, you must use a private hauler.
Where to place items for pickup in Boston
Place items where trash is normally placed: curbside, public alley, or dumpster area, by 6 a.m. on the appointment day or after 5 p.m. the night before. Items must be in a publicly accessible space, not blocked by vehicles or objects, and nothing may be placed on top. The city will not collect items on private property.
What items are accepted
Accepted/scheduled examples include items with Freon or CRTs such as refrigerators, freezers, water coolers, ice makers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, televisions, laptops, and computer monitors. The page also notes mattresses require scheduling, while furniture and bikes can go out with curbside trash or be donated.
What is NOT accepted
Not accepted for special collection: commercial-grade items, appliances with doors attached or food inside, and items not listed for special collection. The trash page also says Boston does not collect construction debris, automotive parts, plumbing fixtures, fences, water heaters, or fire debris; those require a private hauler. Tires, batteries, and hazardous waste go to Zero Waste Days or other special handling.
Regular trash & recycling in Boston, MA
Trash: Boston provides curbside trash collection for buildings under seven units. Residents are told to place trash curbside no later than 6 a.m. on collection day and after 5 p.m. the evening before; the Trash Day app shows each home’s schedule.
Recycling: Boston provides curbside single-stream recycling for buildings under seven units, with metal, glass, plastic, and paper accepted loose in one bin. Recycling must be at the curb before 6 a.m. on collection day, and the city supplies blue recycling carts for buildings of six units or fewer.
View Boston trash & recycling details →
Official Boston bulk trash resources
Rules and schedules for Boston, Massachusetts are set by the local government or its waste hauler and can change. Always confirm current details on the official Boston pages linked above before scheduling. Representative ZIP: 02201.