Junk disposal in Philadelphia, PA: mattresses, couches, furniture, appliances, TVs & electronics, paint & hazardous waste

Here's how to legally get rid of bulky junk in Philadelphia, item by item. Every option links to the official city or county page we checked. Where we couldn't verify something, we say so. Check the linked page or call your city's service line.

Quick answer by item

Mattresses and box springs

Mattress short answer: Put it out on your regular trash day, but only if it's fully sealed in a plastic mattress bag (max two large items per week). If you'd rather not bag it, drive it to one of the City's six sanitation convenience centers (Mon-Sat, 8-6), where mattresses are accepted unwrapped.

Mattress options at a glance

• Regular trash day (mattress must be bagged)

  Cost: Part of regular City trash collection · Type: City pickup

  Mattresses and box springs must be bagged and sealed in plastic mattress bags for curbside pickup. Limit two compactible furniture items per week. The City says unwrapped mattresses are not eligible for regular trash collection and are subject to fines. source

• Sanitation convenience centers (six sites)

  Cost: For Philadelphia residents (proof of residency required) · Type: Drop-off

  Mattresses and box springs accepted unwrapped. Open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., closed City holidays. Oversized items once a week; vehicle under 6,000 lbs; no commercial loads. source

Step by step: curbside

1. Get a plastic mattress bag and fully seal the mattress or box spring inside it.
2. Set it out with your regular trash on collection day. Limit: two compactible furniture items per week.

Don't use the Bulk Collection appointment for mattresses

Philadelphia's appointment-based Bulk Collection program is for appliances, metal-frame furniture, TVs and tires. Mattresses are not collected through it. Wrapped mattresses go out with regular trash.

What not to do

• Don't put out an unwrapped mattress. It won't be collected and can be fined.

Need it gone today?

Self-haul to a convenience center or use a paid junk-removal service.

Sources: Residential trash and recycling rules; Sanitation convenience centers; Bulk Collection. Checked 2026-10-12. Rules change, so confirm with 311 before you set anything out.

Couches and furniture

Compactible furniture like sofas goes out with regular trash, limited to two items per week. Furniture with a wooden frame goes out with regular trash. Furniture with a metal frame goes through the appointment-based Bulk Collection program (up to 4 items per appointment, one appointment per household per week; single-family homes and buildings up to six units). Book at bulkcollection.phila.gov or through 311. (Residential trash rules; Bulk Collection)

Appliances (fridges, freezers, AC: freon)

Refrigerators (doors removed), air conditioners, water heaters and other major appliances can be picked up through Bulk Collection by appointment. You can also take up to two bulk items, including items containing refrigerants, per day to a sanitation convenience center. (Bulk Collection; Convenience centers)

TVs, computers and electronics (e-waste)

Computers, monitors and TVs go to a sanitation convenience center (six sites, Mon–Sat 8–6, proof of residency required). Bulk Collection also takes flat-screen TVs by appointment. E-waste is not accepted at HHW events. (Convenience centers; Bulk Collection)

Paint and household hazardous waste

Oil, latex and water-based paint, solvents, pesticides, auto fluids and other HHW go to the City's seasonal HHW collection events (9 a.m.–3 p.m., no registration). Remaining 2026 date: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, Port Richmond, 3901 N. Delaware Ave. Convenience centers also take latex/water-based paint if solidified (add kitty litter or newspaper). (HHW events; Convenience centers)

Rules, hours and fees change. Confirm on the linked official page before you set anything out or drive anywhere.

Last verified: 2026-10-12