Representative ZIP 02201
Bulk Trash Pickup in Boston, MA — 2026 Schedule & Rules
Boston bulk trash: 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.
Boston bulk trash at a glance
| Service type | Appointment-based special item pickup via 311 / Trash Day app; furniture goes out with normal curbside trash |
|---|---|
| How to schedule | 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 often / limits | 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 | 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. |
Can’t wait for the city, or have items they won’t take? Get a fast quote from a local junk-removal pro in Boston.
What you can & can’t put out in Boston
| ✓ Accepted | ✗ Not 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. | 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
| 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 →
Boston 2026 holiday trash schedule
Boston delays trash and recycling pickups 'in some neighborhoods' during any City-recognized holiday week. The city uses a neighborhood-specific schedule; not all neighborhoods are equally affected. Residents must check their specific schedule using the Trash Day app. The general rule: collection is delayed in affected neighborhoods during the holiday week.
| New Year's DayThu, Jan 1, 2026 | Schedule changes Thursday & Friday pickups slide one day (Fri & Sat). Mon–Wed unaffected. |
|---|---|
| Memorial DayMon, May 25, 2026 | Schedule changes No pickup that Monday; the whole week slides one day forward. |
| Independence DaySat, Jul 4, 2026 | Schedule changes Observed Fri, Jul 3; pickups that week may slide a day — confirm locally. |
| Labor DayMon, Sep 7, 2026 | Schedule changes No pickup that Monday; the whole week slides one day forward. |
| ThanksgivingThu, Nov 26, 2026 | Schedule changes Thursday & Friday pickups slide one day (Fri & Sat). Mon–Wed unaffected. |
| Christmas DayFri, Dec 25, 2026 | Schedule changes Friday pickup slides to Saturday. Mon–Thu unaffected. |
Some Boston holidays vary by neighborhood or route and could not be confirmed for every 2026 date. Use the official source below or your city app to confirm your exact pickup day before a holiday week. Official Boston holiday schedule →
Boston bulk trash — frequently asked questions
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup in Boston?
How many bulk pickups do I get, and are there limits?
Where and when do I place items for pickup?
What items will Boston NOT take?
Official Boston resources
Rules and schedules for Boston, Massachusetts are set by the local government or its waste hauler and can change.
We verify against official city sources, but always confirm current details on the official Boston pages linked above before scheduling.