Boston trash & bulky-item rules

Boston does not have one universal “bulk day.” Ordinary household furniture such as couches can generally be placed out with curbside trash, while mattresses, refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners and other controlled items use separate routes.

Normal trash can be set out after 5 p.m. the evening before collection or by 6 a.m. on collection day. If an item is not listed in Boston's special-collection system, the City says it generally does not require a special appointment; residents should still check the disposal directory for unusually heavy or hazardous material.

Boston's current special-item collection program is limited to 10 items per calendar year, with a maximum of 5 items per appointment. Scheduled items must be in a publicly accessible collection location and cannot be blocked by vehicles or other objects.

Refrigerators/freezers must have all doors removed and food emptied. Televisions and computers must be freestanding rather than boxed. Boston 311 can help schedule or resolve missed special-item collections.

Massachusetts bans mattresses from ordinary disposal, so Boston will not collect mattresses or box springs with regular trash. Residents in most buildings with six units or fewer must schedule the City's mattress-recycling pickup.

Boston currently accepts memory foam, box springs, innerspring, hybrid and latex mattresses. Futons and mattress toppers are not part of the mattress-recycling program and may go with regular curbside trash. Mattress pickup is limited to 10 items per calendar year.

Soiled, dirty or bedbug-infested mattresses must be bagged and fully sealed. Mattresses must be placed at the public curbside collection point rather than on private property.

Boston requires 311/special collection for items such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, water coolers, televisions, computers and monitors. Ordinary furniture does not use that appointment system.

Water heaters, plumbing fixtures and dishwashers are treated differently again: Boston's special-item guidance recommends donation or a private hauler rather than assuming City curbside collection.

Boston holds 2026 Zero Waste Days for electronics, batteries, household chemicals, oil-based paint, fluorescent bulbs, automotive materials, textiles, paper shredding and other selected waste-ban items. Current event rules require proof of Boston residency and limit certain chemicals/paint/oil quantities.

Whole tires use the Zero Waste program rather than normal curbside trash. Construction and demolition material—including asphalt, brick, concrete, wood waste, gypsum wallboard and metal from renovation work—requires a private hauler or other proper C&D route.

For Boston, start with the local authority links below. Recheck them before a special trip or unusual set-out because programs, prices and facility hours can change.

• Special Collection Items10-item annual limit, five per appointment and current scheduled-item preparation rules.
• Mattress RecyclingSix-unit eligibility, 10-item annual limit, accepted mattress types, bagging and placement rules.
• Zero Waste Days2026 program, accepted electronics/chemicals/tires and resident requirements.
• Trash and RecyclingGeneral curbside set-out timing and service directory.