DC residents in DPW-serviced buildings can schedule up to 10 bulk items per pickup via the 311 system, with next-available collection typically 1-2 weeks out. Appliances must have refrigerants reclaimed. Electronics, tires, and hazardous waste must be taken to the Fort Totten Transfer Station on Saturdays.
DPW provides scheduled bulk pickup for DC households in buildings of 3 or fewer units. Residents request pickup at 311.dc.gov or via the DC 311 app, selecting items from a predefined list. DPW accepts up to 10 items per appointment, including furniture, mattresses (must be in a plastic mattress bag per DC Law 17-350 bedbug protocol), box springs, rugs, and large toys. Appliances with refrigerants (refrigerators, freezers, window AC units, dehumidifiers) require documentation or DPW reclamation tagging before pickup — federal Clean Air Act section 608 prohibits venting refrigerant. Items must be placed at the curb or alley by 6:00 AM on the scheduled day. Excluded items include electronics (covered separately under the DC e-cycles program), tires, paint and chemicals, propane tanks, construction debris, and yard waste bundles over 4 feet. Residents bring these to the Fort Totten Transfer Station (4900 John F. McCormack Rd NE) during the Saturday Household Hazardous Waste and E-Cycling event (8 AM to 3 PM). Illegal placement of bulk items without scheduling — including 'curb alerts' left overnight — is a common 311 complaint and triggers illegal dumping enforcement under DC Code section 8-902.
Unscheduled bulk set-out: $250 first offense, $500 repeat. Illegal dumping (large items): $500-$5,000 per DC Code 8-902. Appliances with un-reclaimed refrigerant: federal EPA fines up to $44,539 plus DC $500. Construction debris in residential bulk: $500.
See how District of Columbia's bulk item disposal rules stack up against other locations.
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