How to get rid of a couch in Washington, DC

Book a DPW bulk collection through 311 or 311.dc.gov, then put the couch where your trash is collected between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on your appointment day. Household furniture is accepted.

Last checked against the official DC Department of Public Works (DPW) website. See sources.

Cost
No fee listed
How
Book via 311 or 311.dc.gov
Limit
Up to 7 items

Option 1: City pickup (Bulk trash collection by appointment)

Who can use it

  • For residential households with DPW trash collection: single-family homes and residential buildings with three or fewer units.

How to book

  1. Submit a Residential Bulk Trash Collection service request through 311 or 311.dc.gov before setting anything out.
  2. No more than seven items per appointment.
  3. DPW: (202) 673-6833.

Couch rules

  • Household furniture is accepted for bulk collection.
  • Up to seven items per appointment.

Setting it out

  • Place items where your trash and recycling are collected, between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on your appointment day.
  • You could get a sanitation violation ticket if items are in public space at any other time.

Fees and limits

  • DPW's bulk page does not list a fee for appointments.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Fort Totten Transfer Station accepts acceptable bulk items from residents without an appointment.
  • Fort Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John McCormack Rd NE, Washington, DC 20011. Resident drop-off: Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Bring a DC driver's license, or another state's photo ID plus a recent utility bill, to prove residency.
  • No commercial tags, sideboards, ladders, stake-bodies, cargo vans, rental trucks over 15 feet, or tag-along trailers.

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

Does DC pick up couches?
Yes, by bulk appointment through 311.
When can I put it out?
Between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on your appointment day.

Sources

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

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