Junk disposal in Denver, CO: mattresses, couches, furniture, appliances, TVs & electronics, paint & hazardous waste
Here's how to legally get rid of bulky junk in Denver, item by item. Every option links to the official City and County of Denver page we checked. Where we couldn't verify something, we say so. Check the linked page or call 311 (or 720-913-1311 from outside Denver).
Quick answer by item
| Item | Best verified option |
|---|---|
| Mattress | Large Item Pickup every 9 weeks (bagged and wrapped) or private drop-off |
| Couch / furniture | Large Item Pickup (max 5 large items) or private drop-off |
| Fridge / AC (freon) | Separate free Appliance Collection by appointment (not Large Item Pickup) |
| TV / computer | Banned from CO trash; Denver E-cycle Coupon at Blue Star Recyclers |
| Paint / chemicals | PaintCare free drop-off for architectural paint; HHW At-Your-Door for other toxics |
Mattresses and box springs
Mattress short answer: If Denver Solid Waste serves your address, put bagged-and-wrapped mattresses and box springs out only on your Large Item Pickup day (about every nine weeks, same day as regular trash/recycling). Or self-haul to a listed private transfer station or landfill and pay their fee.
Mattress options at a glance
Denver Large Item Pickup
Cost: Included for addresses served by Denver Solid Waste (no separate large-item fee stated on the city page) · Type: City pickup
Runs every nine weeks on your regular trash/recycling day. Max 5 large items and up to 10 bags per address. Mattresses and box springs MUST be bagged and wrapped. Set out by 6 a.m. on collection day, at least 2 feet from carts. Setting items out on other days is illegal dumping. Check your schedule in the Trash and Recycling app or online address lookup. source
Private metro transfer / landfill drop-off
Cost: Fee set by each facility (call ahead) · Type: Drop-off
City lists private facilities that may take household trash and large items (furniture, mattresses, etc.) for a fee, including Waste Management D&R Transfer Station, All Recycling North Transfer Station, DADS Landfill, South Metro Transfer Station, and Waste Connections Jordan Rd. Confirm hours, accepted items and prices before you go. source
Step by step: Large Item Pickup
- Confirm you get Denver Solid Waste service and find your Large Item Pickup date with the Trash and Recycling app or online lookup.
- Bag and wrap mattresses and box springs. Cap is 5 large items and up to 10 bags per address.
- Have items out by 6 a.m. on collection day, visible and at least 2 feet from carts, cars, poles and other obstructions.
- Do not set large items out on other days — the city treats that as illegal dumping.
Self-haul: private drop-off
Denver lists private metro facilities that can take household trash and large items (furniture, mattresses, etc.) for a fee. Examples named on the Large Item Pickup page include Waste Management D&R Transfer Station, All Recycling North Transfer Station, Waste Management Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS) Landfill, Waste Management South Metro Transfer Station, and Waste Connections of Colorado Jordan Rd. Transfer Station. Call ahead for hours, fees and what they accept. Recycling drop-offs are in the city's online Recycling Directory.
What not to do
- Don't put electronics, appliances, paint, batteries, tires or construction debris out with Large Item Pickup — those are on the city's not-accepted list.
- Don't leave mattresses unwrapped or set them out off-schedule.
- Don't put loose trash or non-City containers out for large-item collection.
Need it gone before your next Large Item day?
Use a listed private drop-off (call for fees), donate usable furniture if a local nonprofit accepts it, or hire a paid junk-removal service.
Sources: Denver Large Item Pickup. Checked 2026-10-12. Rules change, so confirm with 311 before you set anything out.
Couches and furniture
Furniture is on Denver's accepted Large Item Pickup list (along with large toys, rugs, exercise equipment and similar bulky items). Same rules as mattresses: max 5 large items and up to 10 bags, out by 6 a.m. on your scheduled Large Item day only, or self-haul to a private facility for a fee. Appliances and e-waste are not Large Item items. (Denver Large Item Pickup)
Appliances (fridges, freezers, AC: freon)
Appliances are not accepted on Large Item Pickup. Denver residents served by Solid Waste Management can schedule a free Appliance Collection by appointment so metals are recycled and Freon from refrigerated appliances is handled safely.
Accepted for appointment collection (city list): stoves/ovens, hot water heaters, furnaces, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners*, washers and dryers. Items marked with * contain Freon gas.
Schedule: call 311 (or 720-913-1311). The city also notes that Xcel Energy customers may qualify for a refrigerator recycling rebate; confirm current rebate details with Xcel before you rely on that number. (Denver Appliance Collection)
TVs, computers and electronics (e-waste)
Covered electronics are banned from Colorado landfills (Electronic Recycling Jobs Act). E-waste is not accepted on Large Item Pickup.
Verified city option:
- Denver E-cycle Coupon — Denver residents (Denver County address; one coupon per household per calendar year) complete the online form on the Electronic Recycling page for a discounted drop-off code. Bring proof of address and the code to Blue Star Recyclers (city partner; coupon is for drop-offs only). Codes are emailed after the form; allow up to 12–24 hours.
- Wipe personal data from phones and computers before drop-off.
City-listed accepted examples include TVs, monitors, CPUs, laptops, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, stereos, phones, game consoles, cables and some small appliances such as microwaves. Not accepted through this e-cycle path (per the city page): air conditioners, refrigerators, large appliances, garbage disposals, humidifiers, smoke/CO detectors, pressurized canisters, oil/gas devices, fluorescent bulbs, neon signs, car batteries, and most household button batteries (rechargeable batteries are okay). Confirm the current list on the official page before you go.
Denver also mentions occasional special collection events and retailer/manufacturer take-back options; check the same Electronic Recycling page for updates.
Paint and household hazardous waste
Paint: Do not put paint in trash, recycling, compost or Large Item Pickup. Colorado residents and businesses can drop architectural paint at participating PaintCare retail sites at no charge for drop-off. Accepted examples (sealed, labeled, non-leaking, generally 5 gallons or smaller): latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd/oil-based, primers, stains, sealers, and single-component clear coatings. Spray cans, thinners, solvents, auto/marine paint, craft paint and many specialty coatings are not PaintCare products — see the Denver Free Paint Recycling page and PaintCare Colorado for site finders and full lists.
Other HHW: Denver's Household Hazardous Waste At-Your-Door program serves residents with one appointment per calendar year (subject to availability) for a $15 co-payment. You get one collection kit bag (~10–12 cans/bottles); prioritize the most toxic items. Schedule via 1-800-449-7587 or wmatyourdoor.com. Set the bag out by 7 a.m. on appointment day. The city asks for at least three different accepted material types, or one accepted material over 25 lbs. Prefer PaintCare for paint when bag space is tight. Excess beyond the kit may cost more — call the HHW hotline before the appointment. Accepted examples include many cleaners, pesticides, automotive fluids, fluorescent tubes, spray paint and solvents; not accepted include asbestos, explosives, ammunition, commercial quantities, bio-waste and sharps. Full lists: HHW At-Your-Door.
Rules, hours, fees and schedules change. Confirm on the linked official page or with 311 before you set anything out or drive anywhere.
Last verified: 2026-10-12