How to get rid of a couch in San Antonio, TX

Put the couch in your bulky pile on the date shown on your door hanger (by 7 a.m. Monday of collection week). Can't wait? Take it to a Bulky Waste Collection Center for free with your CPS Energy bill and photo ID, or pay for an out-of-cycle pickup.

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

Cost
No fee for the twice-yearly pickup
When
Set out on the door-hanger date, by 7 a.m. Monday
Drop-off
4 free Bulky Waste Collection Centers

Option 1: City pickup (Curbside bulky item collection (twice a year))

Who can use it

  • For City of San Antonio residential solid waste customers.
  • Drop-off centers are for residential customers only and require a recent CPS Energy bill showing the City's Environmental Fee, plus photo ID.

How to book

  1. No booking for the twice-yearly collection. Watch for the door hanger, or use the City's Find My Collection Day tool for an estimated timeframe.
  2. Questions or no door hanger: call 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000.
  3. Need a pickup between cycles? Request an out-of-cycle collection online or through 3-1-1. The fee depends on pile size; staff give a free estimate, and pickup happens within two working days after payment.

Couch rules

  • Furniture is on the City's accepted list for curbside bulky collection.
  • Keep it in a pile of 8 cubic yards or less, within 8 feet of the curb.

Setting it out

  • The door-hanger date is when to set your pile out, not the pickup day. Collection can take up to a week.
  • Have the pile ready by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week.
  • No more than 8 cubic yards, within 8 feet of the curb, in front of your house, even if your garbage is collected in the alley.
  • Not obstructed, not in front of parked cars, not under low limbs, not on vacant lots or water meters. Keep brush in a separate pile.

Fees and limits

  • The twice-yearly curbside collection has no separate fee listed.
  • A pile that contains brush, is obstructed, or is set out after crews pass can bring a fine of up to $2,000 per day plus a collection and disposal fee.
  • Drop-off centers are free if you pay the Environmental Fee on your CPS Energy bill.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Bulky Waste Collection Centers accept furniture. They will not take a couch cushion with blood or bed bugs.
  • Bitters, 1800 Wurzbach Parkway, 78216.
  • Frio City Road, 1531 Frio City Road, 78226.
  • Culebra, 7030 Culebra Road, 78238.
  • Rigsby Road, 2755 Rigsby Road, 78222.
  • Hours: Tuesday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Bulky items are limited to 4 cubic yards per visit.

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.

Common questions

How often does San Antonio pick up bulky items?
Twice a year. A door hanger arrives 7 to 10 days before your collection week.
What if I miss my bulky week?
Take it to a Bulky Waste Collection Center, or request a paid out-of-cycle collection through 3-1-1.
Can I put it in the alley?
No. Bulky piles go at the curb in front of your house even if trash is collected in the alley.

Sources

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

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