How to get rid of a couch in Philadelphia, PA

A wood-frame couch can go out with your regular trash. Philadelphia collects up to two large compactible items per household on trash day. If the couch has a metal frame, book a free Bulk Collection appointment instead and leave it assembled.

Last checked against the official City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation website. See sources.

Cost
No fee listed
Wood frame
Regular trash day, up to 2 large items
Metal frame
Book a Bulk Collection appointment

Seasonal set-out times: from October 1 to March 31, set trash out between 5 p.m. the night before and 7 a.m. on collection day (Center City: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.). From April 1 the evening start moves to 7 p.m. (Center City 8 p.m.).

Option 1: City pickup (Regular trash (large items) and Bulk Collection appointments)

Who can use it

  • Regular City trash collection and the Bulk Collection program serve residential households, including multi-family properties with up to six units.
  • Larger apartment buildings, condos and commercial properties must use a private hauler.

How to book

  1. Wood-frame furniture and wrapped mattresses: no appointment. Put them out with regular trash (up to two large items per household per collection day).
  2. Refrigerators, other major appliances and metal-frame furniture: schedule a Bulk Collection appointment at bulkcollection.phila.gov or through 311. Appointments are limited, first-come first-served, up to one month ahead; new dates open after midnight each day.
  3. Bulk appointments take up to four items, one appointment per household per week. You get an email with a 4-letter Pickup Code to label each item.

Couch rules

  • Compactible furniture like sofas: limit two items per week with regular trash.
  • Furniture with a wooden frame can go out for regular trash collection.
  • Household furniture with a metal frame goes through Bulk Collection. Keep it intact; do not take it apart.

Setting it out

  • Set out at your normal collection point the evening before: no earlier than 5 p.m. in fall and winter, 7 p.m. in spring and summer.
  • Everything must be out by 7 a.m. on collection day.
  • For bulk appointments, label each item with your Pickup Code. Sanitation will not knock or enter your home.

Fees and limits

  • The City's pages do not list a fee for regular large-item collection or Bulk Collection appointments.
  • Unwrapped mattresses set out with trash are subject to fines.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Sanitation Convenience Centers accept oversized items once a week.
  • Sanitation Convenience Centers (six locations) are open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed City holidays. Bring proof you live in Philadelphia.
  • Oversized items once a week; bulk items, large metal items or appliances, including items with refrigerants, limited to two a day. Unwrapped mattresses and box springs are accepted.
  • Vehicles must weigh less than 6,000 pounds total. No construction debris or commercial loads.

Option 3: Donate or give it away

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStores generally take furniture in gently used or like-new condition. Each ReStore is run locally and sets its own rules, and some offer free pickup of large items. Find yours with the ReStore locator.

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

What we could not confirm

  • We did not list Convenience Center addresses because the City's service page shows them only on an interactive map. Use the City's locator.

Common questions

Will Philadelphia take a couch with the trash?
Yes, if it is a wood-frame (compactible) couch. Up to two large items per household on collection day.
What about a metal-frame couch or futon?
Schedule a Bulk Collection appointment and leave it assembled.
When can I put it out?
From 5 p.m. the night before (October to March) until 7 a.m. on collection day.

Sources

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

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