A public resource guide
SWS Saturday bulk pickup by appointment with fees (call 907-343-6250), Anchorage Citywide Cleanup May 2–31, 2026 with free orange bags, Anchorage Regional Landfill at 15500 Eagle River Loop, and bear-aware cart storage requirements.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Anchorage, Alaska’s waste system reflects its unique environment: two major haulers serve different parts of the municipality (Solid Waste Services / SWS for the municipal service area, Alaska Waste for surrounding areas), bear-resistant cart storage is a real concern, and bulk pickup happens by appointment on Saturdays for additional charges. The annual Citywide Cleanup in May provides free dump capacity at participating landfills with orange bag distribution at city locations. Winter and summer collection patterns differ. This guide covers every option for Anchorage Municipality residents.
Start here
What brings you to this page today?
On this page
Anchorage residents have several free disposal pathways. The city’s split service between SWS and Alaska Waste means knowing your service area matters. Below are the options most residents qualify for.
Annual Citywide Cleanup (May)
Free, May 2–31, 2026The Anchorage Chamber’s annual Citywide Cleanup runs May 2 through 31, 2026. Residents pick up free orange bags at participating distribution locations and dump them at no charge at participating landfills and disposal sites.
Where to get bags: Pick up free orange bags at participating businesses and city locations. The Citywide Cleanup map at anchoragechamber.org shows current pickup points.
Where to dispose: Free dumping at the Anchorage Regional Landfill (Eagle River, 15500 Eagle River Loop, Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5 PM, Sat 8 AM–5 PM) and other participating sites listed on the Citywide Cleanup map.
Important: Don’t leave orange bags along the side of the road. Bags will not be picked up curbside. You must dump them at participating landfill locations.
Curbside recycling (included with trash service)
Free with serviceBoth SWS and Alaska Waste include free curbside recycling with trash service. Recycling is bi-weekly, collected on alternate weeks from trash. There is no cost savings for opting out.
SWS customers: Free recycling cart provided. Service every other week.
Alaska Waste customers: Bi-weekly curbside recycling included.
Rules: NO BAGS in recycling or organics carts. Bag your trash before placing in the trash cart, but place recycling loose.
Donation pickup
Free for usable itemsAnchorage has a strong nonprofit network for usable furniture and household goods. The right path for items in good condition that someone else can use.
Salvation Army Anchorage: Free pickup for furniture and large items. Schedule at satruck.org or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
Habitat for Humanity Anchorage ReStore: Free pickup for furniture, appliances, and building materials in good condition.
Goodwill Industries of Alaska: Multiple Anchorage drop-off locations.
Bean’s Cafe and Brother Francis Shelter: Local nonprofits accepting clothing and household goods for unhoused residents.
Buy Nothing Anchorage groups: Active Facebook neighborhood networks for individual item exchange.
Freemoval (partner-community pickups)
FreeFreemoval is a social impact program that subsidizes free junk removal pickups in partner communities, typically affordable housing properties. Anchorage partner expansion is in progress for 2026.
Eligibility: Households in active partner communities. Ask your property manager whether your building participates.
Status in Anchorage: Onboarding partner properties throughout 2026.
Anchorage Municipality is served by two major haulers in different geographic areas. Knowing which serves your address determines who you call for service questions and bulk pickup.
Solid Waste Services (SWS): The municipal department serving the designated SWS service area within Anchorage. Mandatory service for all occupied properties in the area. Set up and billed through the property owner.
· Customer Service: (907) 343-6250
· Email: SWCS@anchorageak.gov
· Service area map: Available at muni.org/Departments/SWS
Alaska Waste: Private hauler serving the Anchorage Bowl from Eagle River to Girdwood, plus areas outside the SWS boundary.
· Customer service: Available at alaskawaste.com
· Service area: Schedule lookup tool on alaskawaste.com
How to determine your hauler: Email SWCS@anchorageak.gov with your address, or check the SWS service area map at muni.org. Properties outside the SWS boundary are typically served by Alaska Waste.
Collection times: Both haulers begin collection at 7:00 AM (Alaska Waste at 6:00 AM in some areas). Carts must be out by then.
SWS does not include free bulk item pickup with standard service. Bulk pickup is available on Saturdays by appointment, with additional charges.
How to schedule: Call SWS Customer Service at (907) 343-6250 to schedule bulk item pickup. Inform them of the items and quantity for an accurate quote.
What’s accepted: Furniture, appliances, mattresses, large household items.
Fees: Apply per pickup based on volume and item type. Contact SWS for current pricing.
Excess waste between pickups: Automated trucks cannot pick up trash placed outside the cart. If you have excess waste between scheduled pickups, contact SWS at (907) 343-6250 or wait until your next service day.
Alaska Waste customers: Bulk pickup is available through Alaska Waste; contact them directly for scheduling and pricing through alaskawaste.com.
The Anchorage Chamber’s annual Citywide Cleanup is the closest thing Anchorage has to a free bulk waste opportunity. The 2026 program runs May 2 through 31, 2026.
How it works:
· Pick up free official orange bags at participating distribution locations (businesses, city facilities) starting May 2.
· Fill bags with trash and household items.
· Take filled bags to participating disposal sites for free dumping.
Disposal locations include:
· Anchorage Regional Landfill (Eagle River), 15500 Eagle River Loop. Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5 PM, Sat 8 AM–5 PM.
· Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals, 325 W Potter Dr.
· Other participating sites on the Citywide Cleanup map.
What to know: Don’t leave orange bags along the side of the road or in front of houses. The bags will not be picked up curbside. You must transport them to a participating disposal site. The month-long window allows time for snow to melt and accommodates more participation.
Super Sweeper Saturday: Schools can register for cleanup events with Alaska Waste, Northern Waste, and Solid Waste Services helping pick up orange bags at school sites.
The Anchorage Regional Landfill in Eagle River is the regional disposal facility serving Anchorage Municipality. Year-round access for residents who can self-haul.
Address: 15500 Eagle River Loop, Eagle River.
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–5 PM, Saturday 8 AM–5 PM.
Cost: Tipping fees vary by weight and material type. Free during Citywide Cleanup with orange bags.
What it accepts: Most non-hazardous waste, bulky items, construction debris (residential), yard waste.
HHW and electronics: Anchorage holds periodic HHW collection events. Check muni.org/Departments/SWS for current event dates. Best Buy accepts electronics free for routine drop-off.
Bear interaction is a real concern in Anchorage that affects how residents must handle waste. Both black bears and brown bears (grizzlies) frequent neighborhoods, particularly during spring after hibernation and late summer/fall before hibernation.
Required practices:
· Store carts in your backyard, garage, or another enclosed location when not on collection day. SWS specifically requires carts not be visible except on scheduled collection days.
· Don’t set carts out the night before in bear-active areas.
· Bear-resistant containers are available; SWS can provide bear-resistant bins on request.
· Clean your carts regularly. Customers are required to clean their own carts. Bag your trash before putting it in the cart to reduce odors that attract bears.
Bears that find food in residential carts return repeatedly and may need to be euthanized by Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Proper cart management is a community responsibility.
Donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.
Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don’t work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call the program before scheduling.
For items that don’t qualify for donation, large cleanouts, or households needing scheduled removal, paid options are available.
Self-haul to Anchorage Regional Landfill
Tipping fees varyMost affordable option for residents with vehicles. The Anchorage Regional Landfill in Eagle River accepts most non-hazardous waste at standard tipping fees.
Address: 15500 Eagle River Loop, Eagle River.
Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5 PM, Sat 8 AM–5 PM.
LoadUp paid pickup
$89+For Anchorage households needing same-week or in-home pickup, crew labor, or items that exceed what SWS bulk pickup will accept, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Anchorage area for upfront-priced pickup.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $89 for a single item; full-truck pickups range higher depending on volume. LoadUp pricing in Anchorage is typically 20%–30% lower than national chain competitors.
Other paid services: 1-800-Got-Junk and local independent operators serve the Anchorage area.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. 100% of round-ups fund subsidized pickups at standard market rates.
Book an Anchorage pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Report illegal dumping to SWS at (907) 343-6250 or muni.org/SWS. For Alaska state environmental violations, contact the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Active dumping in progress: call Anchorage Police non-emergency.
Illegal dumping in the Anchorage Bowl carries particular environmental risks given watershed and wildlife habitat sensitivity. Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes.
See our complete illegal dumping guide for state penalty information and reporting best practices.
How does bulk pickup work in Anchorage?
SWS does not include free bulk pickup with standard service. Bulk item pickup is available on Saturdays by appointment with additional charges. Call SWS Customer Service at (907) 343-6250 to schedule. Alaska Waste customers should contact Alaska Waste directly. The annual Citywide Cleanup in May provides free dump capacity at participating landfills with orange bags distributed at city locations.
Who serves my Anchorage address?
Anchorage is served by two major haulers. Solid Waste Services (SWS, the municipal department) serves the designated SWS service area. Alaska Waste serves the Anchorage Bowl from Eagle River to Girdwood and areas outside the SWS boundary. Email SWCS@anchorageak.gov with your address or check the SWS service area map at muni.org/Departments/SWS to determine your hauler.
What is the Citywide Cleanup?
The Anchorage Chamber's annual Citywide Cleanup runs May 2 through 31, 2026. Residents pick up free orange bags at participating distribution locations and dispose of them at no charge at participating landfills like the Anchorage Regional Landfill in Eagle River. This is the city's main free bulk disposal opportunity. Don't leave bags along the road; they're not picked up curbside."),
How should I store my carts to be bear-aware?
SWS specifically requires storing carts in your backyard, garage, or another enclosed location when not on collection day. Carts should not be visible except on scheduled collection days. Don't set carts out the night before in bear-active areas. Bag your trash before placing in the cart to reduce odors. Bear-resistant containers are available from SWS on request. Bears that find food in residential carts return repeatedly and may need to be removed by Fish and Game."),
Why can't I leave extra trash outside my cart?
Automated SWS trucks cannot pick up trash placed outside the roll cart. If you have excess waste between scheduled pickups, contact SWS at (907) 343-6250 to discuss options or wait until your next service day. The Citywide Cleanup in May is the regular opportunity for free overflow disposal."),
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.