DPW collects large, bulky items by appointment from residential households that receive DPW trash collection service. These households include single-family homes and residential buildings with three or fewer living units. Apartment buildings with four or more units, condominiums, co-ops and other commercial properties must have their bulk items removed by a private, licensed hauler. Find a list of registered recycling haulers in the Commercial Recycling Guide
Limits on Bulk Collections
Bulk items are picked up at the same place you set out your regular trash. Up to seven items may be collected at one time. Customers with more than seven items may request additional appointments.
Making an Appointment Quickly
Call the Mayor's Citywide Call Center at 311 to make an appointment, which is usually available within 10 to 14 days of your call. You can also visit www.311.dc.gov to make an appointment or download the mobile app now available on the Google Play and Apple App Store.
Where to Take Bulk Items Without an Appointment
DPW will host twice quarterly Special Waste Collection Events for Household Hazardous Waste, electronics recycling, and document shredding due to the temporary closure of the Benning Road Transfer Station. For the schedule, location, and a complete list of what is accepted, please visit: https://dpw.dc.gov/page/acceptableprohibited-special-waste-items.
Special Waste Collection Events will occur every month, once on Thursday and Saturday. View the current schedule.
Acceptable Bulk Items
- Air conditioners (drain water and fluids)
- Hot water heaters
- Household furniture
- Large toys (kiddie pools, playhouses, disassembled swing sets)
- Major appliances, e.g., refrigerators (doors removed)
- Mattresses and box springs (MUST be wrapped in plastic), bed frames
- Rugs (MUST be rolled and tied)
Unacceptable Bulk Items
- Books – Place in recycling cart for DPW collection.
- Bricks*
- Ceiling tile*
- Construction Materials*
- Demolition materials*
- Dirt*
- Drywall*
- Electronics and Televisions
- Hazardous and/or liquid waste (list of household hazardous waste items for monthly HHW/E-cycling/Document Shredding drop-off at RFK Lot 3)
- Household trash or garbage – Place in trash can for DPW collection.
- Small tree limbs – Tie and place with regular trash.
- Tree stumps
- Tires -- Up to four tires may be taken to the Fort Totten Transfer Station, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 am to 2 pm ONLY.
- Wooden Pallets
* Note: Renovation materials, such as bricks, concrete, ceiling tiles, construction and demolition materials, and dirt are not accepted at RFK Stadium Lot 3 or for bulk collections from residences. Please visit the MWCOG Builders Recycling Guide for a list of construction and demolition companies that may haul these items.
Residents also may drop off a small number of bulk trash and household recycling items at the Fort Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John McCormack Rd NE, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 2 pm ONLY.
Special Waste Collection Events accepts household hazardous waste and electronic waste ONLY -NO BULK OR TRASH.
Special Waste Collection Events, which occur one Thursday per quarter at Anacostia Skate Park (1500 Anacostia Drive SE) and one Saturday per quarter at Carter Baron Tennis Center (1698 Kennedy St NW), accepts hazardous waste and electronic waste as well as up to 5 boxes of sensitive/personal documents for shredding. The full schedule can be found here: https://dpw.dc.gov/node/419042
How You Can Help
- Call 311 to set up an appointment before putting your bulk items out for collection.
- Put your bulk items out no earlier than 6:30 pm the day before and no later than 6 am on the day they are to be collected. Place them where your trash and recycling are collected. You could receive a sanitation violation ticket if these items are in the public space at any time other than your collection appointment.
- Remember, no more than seven items will be collected per appointment.