Pittsburgh Bulk Trash Pickup Rules (2026 Rules & Calendar)
Bulk pickup is listed as available for up to 2 items per collection. Bulky or large waste items may be set out curbside with your regularly scheduled refuse pick-up. Limit two items per week. Place at curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the night before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. No fee for the first two items for single-family homes; notice is not required.
Pittsburgh bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | Bulky or large waste items may be set out curbside with your regularly scheduled refuse pick-up. Limit two items per week. Place at curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the night before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. No fee for the first two items for single-family homes; notice is not required. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 2 items |
| Permitted materials | Furniture, Appliances |
| Advance notice | Not required under the listed rules. |
| Dispatch phone | 412-255-2773 |
Allowed vs. disallowed bulk materials
Furniture
AcceptedSofas, recliner chairs, dressers, and tables are accepted whole; do not disassemble.
Appliances
AcceptedStoves, washers, dryers, and non-Freon appliances are accepted; Freon items like refrigerators and air conditioners are not accepted curbside.
Construction debris
Not acceptedBricks, cement, glass blocks, countertops, professional carpet, and construction materials are prohibited.
How to throw away a mattress in Pittsburgh
Follow the listed bulk rule: Bulky or large waste items may be set out curbside with your regularly scheduled refuse pick-up. Limit two items per week. Place at curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the night before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. No fee for the first two items for single-family homes; notice is not required.
Special disposal mandates
Plastic mattress encasement: The listed rules do not require mattress bagging. Confirm any material-specific handling instructions before pickup. Read mattress bagging laws →
Freon sticker for refrigerant appliances: The sticker requirement has not been verified. Confirm the appliance procedure with dispatch.
Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh.
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.
Pittsburgh 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 Allegheny County.
📍 6814 Tioga Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
City drop-off center accepting residential single-stream recyclables, yard debris, tires (small fee), and scrap metal.
📍 3001 Railroad Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Drop-off location for cardboard, paper, glass bottles, and mixed recyclable containers.
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 Allegheny County
For items that cannot go at the curb, check these official disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, residency requirements, fees, and hours before visiting.
East End Drop-Off Center (DPW 2nd Division)
6814 Tioga Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
City drop-off center accepting residential single-stream recyclables, yard debris, tires (small fee), and scrap metal.
Strip District Drop-Off Center
3001 Railroad Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Drop-off location for cardboard, paper, glass bottles, and mixed recyclable containers.
The nearest eligible transfer station or landfill depends on your address and the material. These resources are not ranked by distance.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works Bureau of Environmental Services · municipal dpw
Phone: 412-255-2773
3001 Railroad StreetPittsburgh, PA 15201
These collection rules cover Zone Pittsburgh Citywide Curbside Routes.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Pittsburgh, PA?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place at curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the night before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Keep refuse containers accessible and clear of snow or parked vehicles.. These rules apply to Zone Pittsburgh Citywide Curbside Routes.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Pittsburgh?
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, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Pittsburgh Citywide Curbside Routes.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Pittsburgh?
Bulky or large waste items may be set out curbside with your regularly scheduled refuse pick-up. Limit two items per week. Place at curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the night before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. No fee for the first two items for single-family homes; notice is not required. The listed limit is 2 items per pickup. Advance notice is not required under the listed rules. Contact sanitation at 412-255-2773 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Pittsburgh Citywide Curbside Routes.
What items are accepted for recycling in Pittsburgh?
The listed accepted materials are Cardboard materials: corrugated shipping boxes flattened and placed inside another box or bin, Mixed paper: white office paper, newspaper, magazines, softcover books, catalogs, junk mail, paperboard, and paper grocery bags, Glass bottles and jars: amber, blue, red, green, and clear bottles and jugs (3 gallons or less), Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs: beverage bottles, milk jugs, and yogurt, sour cream, and butter tubs, Metal food and beverage cans: aluminum cans, steel cans, and bi-metal containers rinsed clean. Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags and film tanglers (never place recyclables in plastic garbage bags), Greasy pizza boxes and food-soiled takeout containers, Plastic packing materials: Styrofoam, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, and packing peanuts, Window panes, mirrors, Pyrex cookware, drinking glasses, and ceramic dinnerware, Electronics, televisions, batteries, and light bulbs, Garden hoses, ropes, and wire hangers. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Pittsburgh Citywide Curbside Routes.