Bulk items, such as furniture and appliances, should not be tossed out with your household waste. If the item is in good or decent shape, the best first step is to try to find another home for it. In 2005, the U.S. EPA reported that furniture accounted for 8.8 million tons, or 3.6 percent, of our trash stream. To help reduce this waste, see our list of options for re-selling or re-using your furniture and other bulk items.

For disposal, many cities offer curbside pick-up or drop-off services for your unwanted bulk items. See the chart below for generally accepted items in municipal bulk item recycling programs.

What Can Be Recycled?

Contact or visit your local municipal recycling website for your city-specific information. Below is list of generally accepted items.

Useful Tips for Recycling Bulk Items:

• These items should be too big to fit in your recycling container or clear bag.

• The Department of Sanitation will collect up to six bulk items from one address.

• You cannot discard appliances with CFC gas or Freon (such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners or dehumidifiers) before first scheduling an appointment to place them at the curb for CFC recovery.

• Items that cannot be recycled must be placed at the curb on any regular garbage collection day.

City-Specific Guidelines for Bulk Item Disposal

Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia