The Department of Public Works (DPW) collects large, bulky items by appointment from residential households that receive DPW trash collection services. These households include single-family homes and residential buildings with three or fewer living units. Apartment buildings with four or more units, condominiums, co-ops, and other commercial properties must have their bulk items removed by a private, licensed hauler. Remember, NO MORE THAN SEVEN ITEMS will be collected per appointment.
Submit a Service Request for Residential Bulk Trash Collection.
**Note: Renovation materials, such as bricks, concrete, ceiling tiles, construction and demolition materials, and dirt are not accepted for bulk collections from residences. Please visit the MWCOG Builders Recycling Guide for a list of construction and demolition companies that may haul these items.**
Making a Bulk Collection Appointment
Call 311, or visit 311.dc.gov, to set up an appointment before putting your bulk items out for collection.
Remember, NO MORE THAN SEVEN ITEMS will be collected per appointment.
- Once your appointment is confirmed, please place your bulk items out for collection where your trash and recycling are collected between 6:30 pm the night before your appointment and 6:00 am the day of your appointment.
*Note* You could receive a sanitation violation ticket if these items are in the public space at any time other than your collection appointment.
Where to Take Your Bulk Trash Items Without an Appointment
Residents can take bulk, trash, and recycling items to the Fort Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John McCormack Rd NE, Washington, DC 20011.
Solid Waste Disposal Drop-off Hours of Operation for Residents' Use:
- Tuesday – Friday: 10 am – 2 pm
- Saturday: 7 am – 2 pm
- Please be sure to have identification such as a driver's license to prove you are a District resident. If you don't have a DC driver's license, please have a photo ID issued by another state plus a current utility bill (within the last 30 days) or a copy of your residential lease or deed. The names on the photo ID and the utility bill or lease/deed must be the same.
- All waste materials must originate within the District of Columbia and facility staff reserves the right to ask for proof of origin. Acceptable vehicles include passenger cars, passenger vans, SUVs, pick-up trucks, vans less than 14 feet in length, and rental vehicles within these categories. Access will be denied to vehicles with commercial license tags, sideboards, ladders, stake-bodies, trucks longer than 14 feet, and tag-a-long trailers.
- Commercial haulers wishing to use the facility must call (202) 715-7570 to establish an account.
*Please be sure to have identification such as a driver’s license with you to prove you are a District resident. If you don’t have a DC driver’s license, please have a photo ID issued by another state plus a current utility bill (within the last 30 days) or a copy of your residential lease or deed. The names on the photo ID and the utility bill or lease/deed must be the same.
Special Waste Collection Events
District residents can drop off many types of special waste at no cost. The location and dates for Special Waste Collection (including Household Hazardous Waste, Electronics, and documents to be shredded) can be found on the Zero Waste website.
Residents may drop off a small number of bulk trash and household recycling items on:
- Tuesday, September, 19, at Anacostia Park Skate Pavilion (1500 Anacostia Drive SE) from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday, September, 21, at Rock Creek Tennis Center (5220 16th Street NW) from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Please be sure to have identification such as a driver's license to prove you are a District resident. If you do not have a DC driver's license, please have a photo ID issued by another state plus a current utility bill (within the last 30 days) or a copy of your residential lease or deed. The names on the photo ID and the utility bill or lease/deed must be the same.
The Special Waste Collection Event will take place in the parking lot behind the Skate Pavilion.
All waste materials must originate within the District of Columbia and facility staff reserves the right to ask for proof of origin. Acceptable vehicles include passenger cars, passenger vans, SUVs, pick-up trucks, vans less than 14 feet in length, and rental vehicles within these categories. Access will be denied to vehicles with commercial license tags, sideboards, ladders, stake-bodies, trucks longer than 14 feet, and tag-a-long trailers.
Commercial haulers wishing to use the facility must call (202) 715-7570 to establish an account.
What are Acceptable Bulk Items
- Air conditioners (drain water and fluids)
- Hot water heaters
- Household furniture
- Large toys (kiddie pools, playhouses, disassembled swing sets)
- Major appliances, e.g., refrigerators (doors removed)
- Mattresses and box springs (MUST be wrapped in plastic), bed frames
- Rugs(MUST be rolled and tied)
What are Unacceptable Bulk Items
- Books – Place in recycling cart for DPW collection.
- Bricks*
- Ceiling tile*
- Construction Materials*
- Demolition materials*
- Dirt*
- Drywall*
- Electronics and Televisions
- Hazardous and/or liquid waste (see special waste collections event)
- Household trash or garbage – (place in the trash can for regular DPW collection.)
- Small tree limbs – Tie and place with the regular trash.
- Tree stumps
- Tires -- Up to four tires may be taken to the Fort Totten Transfer Station, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 am to 2 pm ONLY.
- Wooden Pallets*
*Note: Renovation materials, such as bricks, concrete, ceiling tiles, construction and demolition materials, and dirt are not accepted for bulk collections from residences. Please visit the MWCOG Builders Recycling Guide for a list of construction and demolition companies that may haul these items.*
Please visit here to learn about what materials belong in the trash bin and NOT in the blue recycling bin.
