How to get rid of a couch in Houston, TX

Put the couch out for heavy trash on your assigned day. Household furniture like couches is accepted. Look up your day with the City's service lookup tool or the HTX Collects app.

Last checked against the official City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department website. See sources.

Cost
No fee listed for scheduled heavy trash
How
Set it out on your assigned heavy trash day
Limit
8 cubic yards per set-out; 6 pickups a year

Option 1: City pickup (Heavy trash collection)

Who can use it

  • For occupied homes that get City of Houston curbside service.
  • Not available to buildings with more than 8 units.

How to book

  1. No booking needed. Each home has an assigned heavy trash day.
  2. Look up your day with the City's online service lookup tool or the HTX Collects app.

Couch rules

  • Household furniture (couches, tables, dressers) is accepted in heavy trash.
  • Set it out between 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on collection day, just behind the curb.
  • Do not mix in banned items like electronics or chemicals, or the whole pile may be refused.

Setting it out

  • Set items out between 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
  • Place items just behind the curb in front of your home, not in the street or on the sidewalk.
  • Do not stack items under wires, signs or mailboxes, or on meters, hydrants or other utilities.
  • Limit: 8 cubic yards per set-out (about the size of a minivan).
  • If allowed and banned items are mixed, the whole pile may be refused.

Fees and limits

  • The City's heavy trash page does not list a fee for scheduled heavy trash collection.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Residential Drop-Off Centers accept furniture, with a limit of two large items such as couches per visit. Bring a Texas ID and a matching City utility bill or lease.
  • Residential Drop-Off Centers are open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Sunday and Monday). Residents may use them up to four times per month.
  • Locations: 9003 N Main 77022 (North), 14400 Sommermeyer 77041 (Northwest), 5565 Kirkpatrick 77028 (Northeast), 2240 Central Street 77017 (Southeast), 5100 Sunbeam 77033 (South), 10785 SW Freeway 77074 (Southwest).
  • To drop off bulk waste, bring a current Texas ID and a current City of Houston utility bill or lease with the same address.
  • Allowed vehicles: pickup trucks and small trailers up to 10 feet. Not allowed: U-Hauls, box trucks, sprinter vans, dump trailers. You unload your own items.

Option 3: Donate or give it away

  • Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts furniture that is clean and free of pet hair, stains, tears or other damage, and offers donation pickup. See its ReStore page.

Donation rules are set by each charity and can change. Call before you load up.

Common questions

How often does Houston pick up heavy trash?
Every other month on your assigned day, up to six times per calendar year for eligible homes.
Can I drop off a couch between heavy trash months?
Yes. Residential Drop-Off Centers take furniture, up to two large items such as couches per visit, Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
I live in a large apartment complex. Does heavy trash apply?
Not if your building has more than 8 units. The City's service is for homes with City curbside service.

Sources

Last checked Oct 21, 2026. We read each page below on that date.

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