A public resource guide
Every legitimate way to get rid of furniture, appliances, mattresses, and bulk waste in Detroit, including weekly free bulk pickup, the city's drop-off yards, donation programs, and what to do when paid hauling isn't an option.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Detroit has one of the more generous bulk pickup programs in the country: weekly bulk collection on your regular trash day, free drop-off yards across the city, and a paid pickup service for items that exceed the curb limits. This page walks through every option, in order from free to paid.
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Detroit residents have weekly free bulk pickup, three free drop-off yards, and donation pickup programs available across the city. The City has contracted with two private haulers (Priority Waste on the east side and southwest, Advance Disposal on the west and north) but the rules are the same citywide.
Detroit weekly bulk trash pickup
Free with serviceDetroit collects bulk items weekly on your scheduled trash day. Up to 2 cubic yards of bulk materials per pickup, with no fee if items meet the size and weight limits. This is the default free option for most Detroit residents.
Eligibility: All Detroit residential customers (single-family homes and 1-4 unit buildings).
What's accepted: Furniture, appliances, mattresses, construction debris under 50 lbs per piece (wood, lumber with nails removed). Up to 2 cubic yards per pickup.
What's not accepted: Items over 1,000 lbs, items in front of vacant lots, hazardous materials, items exceeding 2 cubic yards.
How to schedule: No scheduling needed, bulk goes out on your regular trash day. Look up your day at detroitmi.gov. Items must be at the curb between 6 PM the night before and 7 AM on collection day.
Detroit DPW drop-off yards
Free for residentsDetroit operates three free drop-off locations where residents can take yard waste, bulk items, and trash that doesn't fit curbside pickup limits. Useful when you have more than 2 cubic yards or items the trucks won't take at the curb.
DPW Davison Yard: 8221 W. Davison. Hours vary by season; check website.
J. Fons Co. Transfer Station: 6451 E. McNichols Road.
Limits: No more than 4 tires at a time. Construction debris over 1,000 lbs requires drop-off rather than curbside pickup.
What you need: Proof of Detroit residency (utility bill, ID, etc.).
Freemoval (partner-community pickups)
FreeFreemoval is a social impact program that subsidizes free junk removal pickups in partner communities, typically affordable housing properties and select municipal partnerships. Detroit partner expansion is in progress for 2026.
Eligibility: Households in active partner communities. Ask your property manager whether your building participates.
Status in Detroit: Onboarding partner properties throughout 2026. If you operate housing or work in a city department, we can prioritize Detroit.
Donation-pickup programs
FreeDetroit-area nonprofits offer free pickup for items in usable condition. The right path for furniture, working appliances, and household goods that someone else can use.
Salvation Army: Free pickup of clothing, furniture, and household items. Schedule at satruck.org or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Pickup available for furniture, appliances, and home goods. Multiple Detroit-area ReStore locations.
Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit: Donation pickup available. Visit goodwilldetroit.org.
Important: All donation programs require items be clean and functional. Stained, broken, or damaged items typically aren't accepted.
Detroit's waste collection is contracted to two private haulers based on neighborhood: Priority Waste serves residents east of Woodward Avenue and in Southwest Detroit (south of I-94) at 855-927-8365, and Advance Disposal (Waste Management) serves residents west of Woodward and north of I-94 at 844-233-8764. The City of Detroit Department of Public Works oversees both contracts and rules.
Weekly trash, recycling, and bulk. As of June 2024, all four collection types (trash, recycling, yard waste in season, and bulk) are picked up weekly on the same day, a major upgrade from the previous biweekly schedule.
Yard waste season. April 1 through December 19 (varies by year). Yard waste must be in biodegradable paper bags or properly bundled. Plastic bags are not accepted. Branches up to 4 feet long, bundles under 60 lbs.
DPW Paid Pickup. If your bulk items exceed the 2 cubic yard limit or the 1,000 lb weight limit, DPW offers a paid pickup service. Call 313-876-0004 for a quote. This is often substantially cheaper than private hauling.
Text reminders. Text your street address to 313-800-7905 to receive evening-before reminders for trash, recycling, bulk, and yard waste collection.
Detroit's 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-specific 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 before scheduling if you're unsure, pickups that find unacceptable items will leave them behind.
For households who need same-week service, have items that exceed Detroit's 2 cubic yard curbside limit, or live outside the city's service area, paid options range from city-paid pickup to professional haulers.
DPW Paid Pickup (city service)
Quote-basedWhen your bulk items exceed weekly curbside limits, the City of Detroit's Department of Public Works offers paid pickup for a quote-based fee. Often cheaper than private haulers because it uses the same crews already on routes.
How to request: Call 313-876-0004 to request a quote. DPW will give you an estimate based on the items.
Best for: Renovation projects, large move-outs, items over 1,000 lbs, construction debris.
LoadUp paid pickup
$80+For households who need same-week service or want a single professional pickup that includes loading, LoadUp offers professional removal in Detroit with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
What's included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
Other paid services in Detroit: 1-800-Got-Junk, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Junk King, comparison-shop for larger jobs.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book a Detroit pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Different items have different rules in Detroit. Here's a quick reference for the most common things people need to dispose of.
Detroit hosts periodic household hazardous waste collection events through the Department of Public Works. Dates and locations are published at detroitmi.gov. Several retailers offer ongoing free recycling: Home Depot for batteries and CFL bulbs, AutoZone for motor oil and car batteries, Best Buy for electronics, and most pharmacies for unused medications. Wayne County also operates periodic hazardous waste events for county residents.
To report illegal dumping in Detroit, call 313-876-0004 (DPW) or 311 (general city services). Reports can also be filed through the Improve Detroit app or at detroitmi.gov. Include the location, description of dumped material, and a photo if possible. Illegal dumping in Detroit is a serious code violation with substantial fines, and the city has a dedicated Blight Task Force investigating chronic dumping locations. If you witness dumping in progress, call the Detroit Police non-emergency line at 313-267-4600.
Is there really free junk removal in Detroit?
Yes, Detroit has one of the more generous bulk pickup programs in the U.S. All residents get weekly bulk collection on their regular trash day with no scheduling required. The city also operates three free drop-off yards for items exceeding curbside limits. Donation pickup through Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, and Goodwill is also free for usable items.
How much bulk trash can I put out at the curb in Detroit?
Detroit residents can put out up to 2 cubic yards of bulk trash per week (raised from 1 cubic yard in recent years). Items must weigh under 1,000 lbs combined. Construction materials are accepted as long as each piece is under 50 lbs and items like wood and lumber have nails, screws, and staples removed. If you have more than 2 cubic yards, call 313-876-0004 for DPW Paid Pickup.
When does my Detroit trash get picked up?
Detroit collection day depends on your address. Look it up at detroitmi.gov using the Waste Pickup Schedule tool, or text your street address to 313-800-7905 for reminders. Trash, recycling, bulk waste, and yard waste (in season) are all collected weekly on the same day. Items must be at the curb by 7 AM on collection day, no earlier than 6 PM the evening before.
How do I qualify for Freemoval in Detroit?
Freemoval works through partner communities, typically affordable housing operators, public housing authorities, and select municipal partnerships. We’re actively expanding partnerships in Detroit through 2026. If your property is part of the program, your property manager will provide a booking code. If you operate housing or work in a city department in Detroit, contact us to discuss adding your community.
What if I have construction debris from a renovation?
Detroit accepts construction materials at the curb only if each piece weighs under 50 lbs and items like wood and lumber have nails, screws, and staples removed. For larger amounts: call 313-876-0004 for DPW Paid Pickup, drop materials at J. Fons Co. Transfer Station for items over 1,000 lbs, or rent a private dumpster.
Why doesn't my apartment building have bulk pickup?
Detroit’s curbside collection serves single-family homes and 1-4 unit buildings. Most large multi-family properties contract with private waste haulers, so the city’s free bulk pickup typically doesn’t apply. Your property’s contracted hauler may or may not include bulk service, ask your property manager. This gap is exactly why Freemoval exists: residents of multi-family low-income housing often have the fewest free options.
How do I report illegal dumping in Detroit?
Call 313-876-0004 (DPW) or 311. Reports can also be filed through the Improve Detroit app or at detroitmi.gov. Include location, description of dumped material, and a photo if possible.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.
Freemoval is actively onboarding Detroit partner properties through 2026. Reach out to prioritize your community.
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