Getting rid of bulky items in Minneapolis, MN
If you have City of Minneapolis garbage service, crews take up to two large items with your regular collection, no appointment needed. Non-recyclable furniture and couches go out on garbage day; appliances, electronics, mattresses, hide-a-beds, recliners and metal items go out on your recycling week. Tape a note saying "For Solid Waste" to each item and have it out by 6 a.m.
Pick your item
Get rid of a couch
Garbage day, by 6 a.m.
Get rid of a mattress
Recycling week, by 6 a.m.
Get rid of a refrigerator
Recycling week, by 6 a.m.
Large item collection (with City garbage service, no appointment): the basics
Who can use it
- City of Minneapolis collection customers: your carts say "property of the City of Minneapolis".
- If you have dumpsters or carts from a private hauler, you don't have City service. The City says to use Hennepin County's Green Disposal Guide instead.
How to book
- No appointment. Set items out on your regular pickup day (garbage day or recycling week, depending on the item). Find your day with the City's pickup day lookup tool.
- Missed pickup: call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 the next business day. Misses must be reported within two business days, and crews won't come back if the item wasn't out when they passed.
Setting items out
- Up to two large items per collection day, at the alley or curb line by 6 a.m.
- Attach a note to each item that says "For Solid Waste." Unmarked items may not be collected.
- Recycling-week items get a "We'll be back" sticker and are picked up the next business day. Leave the item, sign and sticker in place until then.
- Don't take furniture apart: broken-down furniture may be tagged as building materials, which the City does not pick up.
Fees
- Large item collection is part of City garbage collection. Solid Waste & Recycling fees are on your monthly City utility bill; the large-item page lists no separate charge.
- Not collected: building materials, tires, auto parts, dirt, hazardous waste, liquids and railroad ties.
Drop-off options
- South Transfer Station, 2850 20th Ave S: Tuesday to Friday 12:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For City customers only (City garbage or water service). You must call 612-673-2917 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for a voucher before you go; you can't get one on site.
- City garbage customers get up to six cleanup vouchers a year, each good for up to two large recyclable items (appliances, electronics, mattresses or box springs) plus up to 2,000 pounds of garbage. Each mattress or box spring counts as one item. Over the limit: $25 per appliance, electronic item, mattress or box spring, plus a $15 administrative fee, billed to the utility account (no cash or cards at the site).
- Water-only customers can request a pay-per-use pass: $15 administrative fee, $40 minimum, $25 per appliance, electronic item, mattress or box spring (taxes and fees extra).
What we could not confirm
- One City page lists Solid Waste & Recycling office hours as 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; an older City page says 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call during the overlap if you need a voucher.
Minneapolis bulk pickup: quick answers
- Does Minneapolis pick up bulky items?
- If you have City of Minneapolis garbage service, crews take up to two large items with your regular collection, no appointment needed. Non-recyclable furniture and couches go out on garbage day; appliances, electronics, mattresses, hide-a-beds, recliners and metal items go out on your recycling week. Tape a note saying "For Solid Waste" to each item and have it out by 6 a.m.
- How do I schedule bulk pickup in Minneapolis?
- No appointment. Set items out on your regular pickup day (garbage day or recycling week, depending on the item). Find your day with the City's pickup day lookup tool. Missed pickup: call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 the next business day. Misses must be reported within two business days, and crews won't come back if the item wasn't out when they passed.
- Does Minneapolis charge for bulk pickup?
- Large item collection is part of City garbage collection. Solid Waste & Recycling fees are on your monthly City utility bill; the large-item page lists no separate charge. Not collected: building materials, tires, auto parts, dirt, hazardous waste, liquids and railroad ties.
- Where can I drop off bulky items in Minneapolis?
- South Transfer Station, 2850 20th Ave S: Tuesday to Friday 12:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For City customers only (City garbage or water service). You must call 612-673-2917 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for a voucher before you go; you can't get one on site.