Washington Bulk Trash Pickup Rules (2026 Rules & Calendar)
Bulk pickup is listed as available for up to 7 items per collection. DPW collects bulky items by appointment from residential households (single-family homes and buildings with three or fewer units). Call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to schedule an appointment. Up to 7 items permitted per appointment. Set items out where trash is collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. the day of your appointment.
Washington bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | DPW collects bulky items by appointment from residential households (single-family homes and buildings with three or fewer units). Call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to schedule an appointment. Up to 7 items permitted per appointment. Set items out where trash is collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. the day of your appointment. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 7 items |
| Permitted materials | Furniture, Appliances |
| Advance notice | Required before collection. |
| Dispatch phone | 202-673-6833 |
Mattress bagging rule: Mattresses must be bagged under the listed rules. Confirm the required plastic encasement before pickup.
Allowed vs. disallowed bulk materials
Furniture
AcceptedHousehold furniture (couches, chairs, tables, desks, dressers) accepted by appointment via 311.
Appliances
AcceptedMajor appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators) accepted; refrigerator doors must be removed before setout.
Construction debris
Not acceptedRenovation materials, bricks, concrete, drywall, ceiling tiles, and dirt are not accepted.
How to throw away a mattress in Washington
Follow the listed bulk rule: DPW collects bulky items by appointment from residential households (single-family homes and buildings with three or fewer units). Call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to schedule an appointment. Up to 7 items permitted per appointment. Set items out where trash is collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. the day of your appointment.
Special disposal mandates
Plastic mattress encasement: Mattress bagging is required under the listed rules. Confirm the required plastic bag or encasement and sealing instructions with dispatch before collection. Read mattress bagging laws →
Freon sticker for refrigerant appliances: The sticker requirement has not been verified. Confirm the appliance procedure with dispatch.
Washington Curbside Scavenging & Trash Picking Rules
Whether you want usable items salvaged before the compactor crushes them or you are looking for scrap metal, understand the local curbside legal boundaries in Washington.
Public Curb vs. City Cart Ownership
Under federal precedent, property discarded in public rights-of-way is legally abandoned. However, many municipal ordinances classify materials placed inside official city-owned recycling carts as city property. Removing materials from inside containers can trigger municipal pilfering fines.
Mark Usable Items with a "FREE" Sign
If you want scrap metal collectors or neighbors to haul away working appliances, lawnmowers, or furniture before bulk pickup day, tape a clear "FREE" sign to the item and place it directly on the curb line away from your private driveway.
Washington Area Landfills & Citizen Drop-Off Stations
When you have large renovation loads, dirt, concrete, or bulky waste exceeding curbside limits, self-haul directly to a verified transfer station or county landfill serving District of Columbia County.
📍 4900 John McCormack Rd NE, Washington, DC 20011
Open Tuesday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Closed Mondays. Accepts bulk items, household trash, recyclables, yard waste, and provides free mulch to District residents with valid DC proof of residency.
📍 3200 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC 20019
Temporarily closed for modernization and reconstruction through 2028. All residential drop-off services are currently consolidated at Fort Totten.
All open truck beds and trailers must be secured with a tarp. Unsecured loads face an immediate $20 to $50 state fee at the scale.
Most facilities have a minimum entry fee ($25 to $45) covering up to 1,000 lbs, with prorated per-ton rates for heavier commercial debris.
To receive discounted residential gate rates, bring a valid state driver license and a current local municipal water or utility bill.
If your project exceeds city bulk limits, review our dumpster rental vs. bulk pickup cost comparison or read our construction debris weight guide.
Local disposal alternatives in District of Columbia County
For items that cannot go at the curb, check these official disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, residency requirements, fees, and hours before visiting.
Fort Totten Transfer Station
4900 John McCormack Rd NE, Washington, DC 20011
Open Tuesday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Closed Mondays. Accepts bulk items, household trash, recyclables, yard waste, and provides free mulch to District residents with valid DC proof of residency.
Benning Road Transfer Station
3200 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC 20019
Temporarily closed for modernization and reconstruction through 2028. All residential drop-off services are currently consolidated at Fort Totten.
The nearest eligible transfer station or landfill depends on your address and the material. These resources are not ranked by distance.
DPW & sanitation contact
District of Columbia Department of Public Works · municipal dpw
Phone: 202-673-6833
899 North Capitol Street, NEWashington, DC 20002
These collection rules cover Zone District of Columbia DPW Residential Collection Routes.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Washington, DC?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Set out trash and recycling containers no earlier than 6:30 p.m. the night before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Remove empty containers from public space by 8:00 p.m. on collection day.. These rules apply to Zone District of Columbia DPW Residential Collection Routes.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Washington?
As of 2026-10-10: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone District of Columbia DPW Residential Collection Routes.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Washington?
DPW collects bulky items by appointment from residential households (single-family homes and buildings with three or fewer units). Call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to schedule an appointment. Up to 7 items permitted per appointment. Set items out where trash is collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. the day of your appointment. The listed limit is 7 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 202-673-6833 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone District of Columbia DPW Residential Collection Routes.
What items are accepted for recycling in Washington?
The listed accepted materials are Paper items (office paper, flattened cardboard, food and drink cartons, newspapers, magazines, books, junk mail), Plastics (plastic bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, and clean rigid plastic containers), Metal containers (aluminum cans, steel and tin food cans, metal beverage containers), Glass containers (clean and empty glass food jars and beverage bottles). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags, plastic wraps, and film of any color, size, or shape (strictly prohibited), Foam and polystyrene (Styrofoam cups, takeout containers, and packaging peanuts), Tissues, napkins, and paper towels, Plastic straws, utensils, and flexible tubing, Window glass, ceramic glass, cookware, and mirror glass. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone District of Columbia DPW Residential Collection Routes.