Junk disposal in Washington, DC: mattresses, couches, furniture, appliances, TVs & electronics, paint & hazardous waste
Here's how to legally get rid of bulky junk in Washington, DC, item by item. Every option links to the official District page we checked. Where we couldn't verify something, we say so. Check the linked page or call 311.
Quick answer by item
| Item | Best verified option |
|---|---|
| Mattress | DPW bulk appointment (wrap in plastic) or Fort Totten drop-off |
| Couch / furniture | DPW bulk appointment (max 7 items) or Fort Totten |
| Fridge / AC (freon) | DPW bulk (drain AC fluids; fridge doors removed) or Fort Totten |
| TV / computer | Banned from trash; DPW Special Waste events or eCYCLE DC options |
| Paint / chemicals | PaintCare drop-off sites; other HHW at DPW Special Waste events |
Mattresses and box springs
Mattress short answer: If you get DPW trash collection (single-family or buildings with three or fewer units), book a bulk trash appointment through 311 or 311.dc.gov, wrap the mattress or box spring in plastic, and set it out only in the appointment window. Or self-haul to Fort Totten Transfer Station, where mattresses do not need plastic wrap for drop-off.
Mattress options at a glance
DPW bulk trash collection (appointment)
Cost: No extra fee for households that get DPW trash collection · Type: City pickup
Single-family homes and buildings with three or fewer units. Book through 311 or 311.dc.gov before set-out. Max seven items per appointment. Mattresses and box springs MUST be wrapped in plastic. Set out where trash/recycling is collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on appointment day. Buildings with four or more units, condos, co-ops and commercial properties must use a private licensed hauler. source
Fort Totten Transfer Station (self-haul)
Cost: For District residents with proof of residency (hours and vehicle limits apply) · Type: Drop-off
4900 John McCormack Rd NE. Accepts mattresses and box springs (plastic wrap not required for drop-off), furniture, major appliances and other acceptable bulk. Resident hours typically Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Sat 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Bring DC ID, or out-of-state photo ID plus a recent utility bill or lease/deed in the same name. Confirm current hours on the DPW transfer-station page before you go. source
Step by step: DPW bulk pickup
- Confirm you get DPW trash collection. DPW serves single-family homes and residential buildings with three or fewer living units. Buildings with four or more units, condominiums, co-ops and commercial properties must use a private licensed hauler.
- Call 311 or use 311.dc.gov and request residential bulk trash collection. Book before putting anything in the public space.
- Wrap mattresses and box springs in plastic. Max seven items per appointment.
- Place items where your trash and recycling are collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on appointment day. Items left out at other times can draw a sanitation ticket.
Self-haul: Fort Totten Transfer Station
District residents can take acceptable bulk, trash and recycling to Fort Totten, 4900 John McCormack Rd NE, without an appointment. Resident drop-off hours listed on the DPW bulk page are Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Sat 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Bring proof you live in DC. Vehicle limits apply (passenger cars, SUVs, pickups and vans under 15 ft; commercial tags and many larger vehicles are denied). Mattresses at the transfer station do not have to be wrapped in plastic.
What not to do
- Don't put a mattress out without an appointment (ticket risk).
- Don't set bulk out outside the 6:30 p.m.–6:00 a.m. window.
- Don't put electronics or hazardous liquids out with bulk. Electronics and HHW are not acceptable bulk items.
- Renovation debris (bricks, concrete, drywall, dirt, etc.) is not accepted on residential bulk routes.
Live in a 4+ unit building, condo, or co-op?
DPW bulk does not apply. Use your building's private hauler, or ask the property manager. Self-haul to Fort Totten may still be an option if you meet resident ID and vehicle rules. Confirm on the DPW page or with 311.
Need it gone today?
Self-haul to Fort Totten during resident hours, or use a paid junk-removal service.
Sources: DPW Bulk Trash Collection; Zero Waste DC special waste / mattresses; Residential collection info. Checked 2026-10-12. Rules change, so confirm with 311 before you set anything out.
Couches and furniture
Household furniture is on DPW's acceptable bulk list. Same rules as mattresses: DPW-served homes book through 311 (max seven items per appointment), set out only in the appointment window, or self-haul to Fort Totten. Buildings with four or more units use a private hauler. (DPW Bulk Trash Collection)
Appliances (fridges, freezers, AC: freon)
Major appliances are accepted on DPW bulk routes and at Fort Totten. Official guidance: refrigerators with doors removed; air conditioners with water and fluids drained. Book bulk through 311, or drop off at Fort Totten during resident hours with proof of DC residency. Appliances are not accepted at Special Waste Collection electronics tables (those events send large appliances back to bulk / Fort Totten). (DPW Bulk Trash Collection; DPW Special Waste / HHW)
TVs, computers and electronics (e-waste)
Covered electronic equipment is banned from DC trash (Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amendment Act). Electronics and TVs are not acceptable bulk items.
Verified options:
- DPW Special Waste Collection Events (free for DC residents; register in advance on Eventbrite; bring proof of residency). Accepts TVs, computers, monitors, phones, printers, cables and more. Check upcoming dates and register via the DPW Special Waste page (registration link: tinyurl.com/hhw-register).
- eCYCLE DC manufacturer mailback and permanent drop-off options listed by DOEE for covered electronics. See eCYCLE DC for residents.
For usable items, DOEE points residents to donation/repair via Reuse DC.
Paint and household hazardous waste
Paint: The most convenient path is PaintCare year-round retail drop-off sites in the District (house paint, primers, stains, sealers, varnish in sealed original containers; limits and product rules apply). Find sites at PaintCare DC or call (855) 724-6809. Paint is also accepted at DPW Special Waste events.
Other HHW (solvents, pesticides, auto fluids, propane tanks up to 20 lbs, fluorescent lamps, many household chemicals): take to DPW Special Waste Collection Events. Free for DC residents with registration and proof of residency. Full accepted/prohibited lists are on the DPW Special Waste page. Do not put HHW in trash, recycling, or bulk set-out.
Rules, hours and event schedules change. Confirm on the linked official page or with 311 before you set anything out or drive anywhere.
Last verified: 2026-10-12