Getting rid of bulky items in New York City, NY
Last checked: 2026-10-25
Short answer: The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) collects large items from residential buildings free at the curb, up to 6 items per collection day, with no appointment. Mattresses must be sealed in plastic, and fridges and ACs need a free CFC appointment first.
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Rules change. Confirm with the city before setting anything out.
Curbside pickup rules
- DSNY gives free curbside removal of bulk items from residential buildings. The pages reviewed do not set a unit limit; non-residential buildings and businesses must use a private carter.
- Pick-up appointments for regular bulk items are no longer offered; you just set items out on the right night.
- Set items out between 6 p.m. and midnight the night before collection. Metal and rigid plastic items go out the night before your recycling day; everything else goes out the night before your trash-only (bulk) day, not your recycling day.
- Items must not be placed in the street, extend in front of another property, or block pedestrians. Items left on private property cannot be picked up.
- If bulk items have bed bugs, you must put a sign on them saying so.
How to book
- No booking for regular bulk items: look up your address's trash and recycling days on DSNY's collection schedule and set items out the night before.
- Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and water coolers need a free CFC (Freon) removal appointment: call 311 (212-639-9675 from outside NYC) or use DSNY's online CFC Recovery Appointment Request. No same-day appointments.
Item limits
- Up to 6 bulk items per collection day. For lots of items, spread them over several collection days.
- Up to 10 appliances per CFC removal appointment.
- Items too big for a regular collection truck must be broken down or removed by a private service. You can email [email protected] with a description and dimensions to ask whether DSNY can take it.
Fees
- Curbside bulk collection is free for residential buildings, and CFC removal appointments are free for residents.
Mattress recycling / state bans
- Mattresses and box springs must be fully sealed in a plastic bag of any color except red or orange, to stop the spread of bed bugs. The City does not supply bags; department stores, home improvement stores and moving supply stores sell them.
- Unbagged mattresses won't be collected and can be fined: DSNY's page says up to $300 (311's bulk page cites $100).
- TVs, computers and other e-waste cannot go out with trash, bulk or recycling under New York State law.
Drop-off sites
- There are no public dumps in New York City. DSNY's Special Waste Drop-Off sites take items like batteries, paint and motor oil, not bulk items.
- E-waste options: retail or non-profit drop-off locations, Community E-Waste events, Special Waste Drop-Off sites, DSNY SAFE Disposal events, manufacturer take-back programs, or ecycleNYC for apartment buildings with 10 or more units.
FAQ
How do I book bulky item pickup in New York City?
No booking for regular bulk items: look up your address's trash and recycling days on DSNY's collection schedule and set items out the night before. Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and water coolers need a free CFC (Freon) removal appointment: call 311 (212-639-9675 from outside NYC) or use DSNY's online CFC Recovery Appointment Request. No same-day appointments.
Is bulky item pickup free in New York City?
Curbside bulk collection is free for residential buildings, and CFC removal appointments are free for residents.
Who is eligible for city bulky pickup in New York City?
DSNY gives free curbside removal of bulk items from residential buildings. The pages reviewed do not set a unit limit; non-residential buildings and businesses must use a private carter.
Paid option: junk removal
Not eligible for city pickup (for example, a larger apartment building) or need it gone sooner? A private junk removal service can haul items from inside your home for a fee. [Partner link not yet active]
Disclosure: Free official options are always listed first. If a paid-removal link appears, it may be an affiliate link and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes what we recommend.