Bulk Trash Pickup in Philadelphia, PA: Rules, Limits and Fees
What Philadelphia picks up at the curb, how many items you get, what needs an appointment, and what it costs. Straight from the city, checked and dated.
Putting it out with your regular trash in Philadelphia
Mattresses are collected at the curb, but only if they are fully wrapped in plastic. An unwrapped mattress is left behind.
- How many items
- Up to two large, non-metal items per household on your regular trash day.
- What it costs
- No extra charge — it is part of regular collection.
Booking a city pickup
Metal bulk items and appliances — refrigerators, air conditioners, anything containing refrigerant — plus tires. These are not taken on a regular trash day.
- How many items
- Four bulk items per appointment.
- How to book
- Book an appointment online, or call 311.
- Good to know
- Available to residential properties, including multi-family buildings with up to six units. Items go out at your normal trash pickup spot.
Dropping it off yourself: Sanitation Convenience Centers
6 sites across Philadelphia.
- What it costs
- Free for Philadelphia residents.
- Opening hours
- Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on City holidays.
- What to bring
- You must show proof that you live in Philadelphia.
- How much at a time
- Household items once a day and oversized items once a week. Bulk items and appliances are capped at two per day, tires at four per day.
- Your vehicle
- Your vehicle must weigh under 6,000 pounds in total.
- What they turn away
- Commercial contractors and commercial loads are turned away, and construction debris is not accepted.
Or have someone take it
City routes are cheap but slow, and they all assume you can get the item to the curb yourself. If it is upstairs, if it is heavy, or if you need it gone this week, a local pro is the faster answer.
Post the job free, and vetted pros in Philadelphia bid on it. You pick the offer you like and pay your pro directly — JunkerClub takes no cut of the price.
See what mattress removal costs in Philadelphia →
Getting rid of a mattress in Philadelphia — common questions
Will the trash collectors take a mattress in Philadelphia?
Mattresses are collected at the curb, but only if they are fully wrapped in plastic. An unwrapped mattress is left behind.
How many bulk items can I put out at once in Philadelphia?
Up to two large, non-metal items per household on your regular trash day.
Does it cost anything to drop a mattress off in Philadelphia?
Free for Philadelphia residents.
What do I need to bring to the drop-off site in Philadelphia?
You must show proof that you live in Philadelphia.
How do I book a bulk pickup in Philadelphia?
Book an appointment online, or call 311. Four bulk items per appointment.
Where this comes from
Checked against official sources on 2026-08-19. City rules change — if something here does not match, the city page wins.
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