A public resource guide
Every legitimate way to get rid of furniture, appliances, mattresses, and bulk waste in Providence, including FREE curbside bulk pickup (3 items per day, 24-hr notice), free e-waste pickup, free Freon appliance pickup, the Mattress Drop-off Center, the Eco-Depot for HHW, the new cart rollout, and what to do when paid hauling isn't an option.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Providence runs a uniquely accessible bulk pickup system: FREE curbside bulk pickup with just 24-HOUR advance notice via Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545, up to 3 bulky items per collection day. The lead time is dramatically shorter than most major cities (Virginia Beach requires 2 weeks; San Francisco requires 2 weeks). Service is provided by Waste Management under contract with the City. Free curbside pickup of furniture, large appliances (refrigerators with Freon, washers, dryers), e-waste, and bulky waste, all at the same 3-items-per-day limit. One important fee exception: mattresses and box springs require a paid Waste Management appointment, OR Providence residents can drop off two items per resident per day FREE at the Mattress Drop-off Center on Saturdays 7 AM-12:45 PM (proof of Providence residency required). Yard waste is collected curbside on regular collection day from mid-April through mid-December, in open barrels or paper yard waste bags. Christmas trees picked up curbside during the second, third, and fourth full weeks of January. New 64-gallon trash carts arrive starting March 16, 2026, a major service change. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
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Providence residents have free curbside bulk pickup (3 items per collection day, 24-hour advance notice via Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545), free curbside e-waste pickup, free curbside Freon appliance pickup, free curbside large appliance pickup, free curbside leaf and yard waste collection mid-April through mid-December, free Christmas tree pickup in January, free Mattress Drop-off Center on Saturdays for Providence residents, free Goodwill clothing/textile drop-off boxes at Hope High School, and free RI Resource Recovery Eco-Depot for HHW. Service is provided by Waste Management under contract with the City of Providence Department of Public Works. Customer service: Waste Management 1-800-972-4545. DPW: 401-680-7500.
Free Curbside Bulk Pickup (24-hour notice via Waste Management)
Free, 24-hr noticeWaste Management provides free curbside bulk pickup with just 24 HOURS advance notice, one of the shortest lead times of any major U.S. city. Limit: 3 bulky items per collection day. Items eligible: furniture, large appliances (washers, dryers, water heaters), Freon appliances (refrigerators, freezers, AC units), and e-waste. Mattresses and box springs are NOT included in free pickup, they require a paid appointment.
Eligibility: Providence residential customers receiving curbside service.
Lead time: 24 hours minimum, call by 4 PM the business day before your regular trash day.
Per-collection-day limit: 3 bulky items per collection day. Items eligible together include any combination of furniture + appliances + Freon appliances + e-waste.
Cost: Free for the 3-item daily allowance.
How to schedule: Call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545, Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Describe each item.
Set-out time: Place items at curb no earlier than 4 PM the day before your regular trash collection day.
NOT included in free pickup: Mattresses and box springs, require paid Waste Management appointment OR free drop-off at Mattress Drop-off Center for Providence residents.
Carpeting/rugs: Free curbside pickup, same rules (3 items per day, 24-hr notice).
Free Curbside E-Waste Pickup
Free, 24-hr noticeProvidence residents get free curbside e-waste pickup, TVs, computers, monitors, and electronics. Same 3-items-per-collection-day limit, same 24-hour advance notice via Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545. Or drop off free at the Mattress Drop-off Center.
How to schedule: Call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 at least 24 hours before your regular trash collection day.
Per-day limit: 3 items per collection day (counted together with other bulky waste).
Set-out time: No earlier than 4 PM the day before regular trash day.
Drop-off alternative: Free drop-off at Mattress Drop-off Center for Providence residents (proof of residency required).
Cost: Free.
Free Curbside Freon Appliance Pickup
Free, 24-hr noticeRefrigerators, freezers, and AC units get free curbside pickup with the same 24-hour notice and 3-items-per-day limit. Most cities charge fees or require special handling for Freon-containing appliances, Providence handles them as standard bulk waste.
How to schedule: Call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 at least 24 hours in advance.
Per-day limit: 3 items per collection day (counted with other bulky waste).
Cost: Free.
Free Mattress Drop-off Center (Saturdays for residents)
Free, Sat onlyProvidence residents can drop off TWO items or ONE set (mattress and box spring, or three pieces for king/queen splits) FREE at the Mattress Drop-off Center on Saturdays 7 AM-12:45 PM (weather permitting). Per resident, per day, per home. Proof of Providence residency required. Security cameras enforce against illegal dumping. The Center also accepts free e-waste and extra recycling drop-off.
Hours: Saturdays 7 AM-12:45 PM (weather permitting).
Eligibility: Providence residents only. Photo ID with Providence address required, OR a recent utility bill plus photo ID.
Per-visit limit: Two items OR one set (mattress + box spring), per resident, per day, per home. Three pieces for king/queen splits.
Also accepted FREE: E-waste, extra recycling.
Cost: Free for Providence residents.
CRITICAL: Security cameras in place. NO illegal dumping.
Free Curbside Yard Waste & Christmas Tree Pickup
Free, seasonalLeaf & yard waste collected curbside on regular collection day from mid-April through mid-December. Clippings, leaves, and sticks should be placed in OPEN BARRELS or PAPER yard waste bags, never plastic bags. Christmas trees picked up curbside during the second, third, and fourth full weeks of January. Free yard waste stickers available from DPW at 700 Allens Ave.
Yard waste season: Mid-April through mid-December, on your regular collection day.
How to set out: OPEN barrels or PAPER yard waste bags. NO plastic bags, even biodegradable ones.
Free yard waste stickers: Available free from Department of Public Works at 700 Allens Ave.
Christmas trees: Curbside during 2nd, 3rd, and 4th full weeks of January on your regular collection day. Strip ALL ornaments, decorations, tinsel, and stands. NO plastic bags.
Cost: Free.
RI Resource Recovery Eco-Depot (HHW)
Free for residentsHousehold hazardous waste in Providence is handled through Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation's Eco-Depot program. Free for Rhode Island residents by appointment. The main location is at the Central Landfill in Johnston, with satellite locations held throughout the state during the year. Schedule at rirrc.org/ecodepot or 401-942-1430 x3241.
Main location: Central Landfill, Johnston, Rhode Island.
Satellite locations: Held throughout the state during the year, check rirrc.org for schedule.
How to schedule: rirrc.org/ecodepot or call 401-942-1430 x3241.
What's accepted: Paint, motor oil, pesticides, household cleaners, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, propane tanks.
Cost: Free for Rhode Island residents.
Goodwill Drop Boxes (clothing/textiles)
Free, 24/7Goodwill drop-off boxes at Hope High School (324 Hope St., Olney Avenue side) accept clothing and textile donations 24/7. A portion of the proceeds helps support programs in Providence parks, a unique civic-philanthropy partnership.
Location: Hope High School, 324 Hope St., on the Olney Avenue side.
Hours: 24/7 drop-off boxes.
What's accepted: Clothing, textiles.
Civic angle: A portion of proceeds supports Providence parks programs.
Cost: Free.
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. Providence partner expansion is in progress for 2026.
Eligibility: Households in active partner communities. Ask your property manager whether your building participates.
Status in Providence: Onboarding partner properties throughout 2026.
Donation-pickup programs
FreeProvidence-area nonprofits offer free pickup for items in usable condition. Furniture Bank RI is the local nonprofit that supplies furniture to families transitioning out of homelessness.
Furniture Bank RI: Free pickup for furniture in good condition. Call 401-831-5511.
The Salvation Army Providence: Free pickup of clothing, furniture, household items. Schedule at satruck.org or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Providence ReStore: Free pickup for furniture, appliances, building materials.
Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island: Donation pickup for larger items in the Providence metro area.
Waste Management service area. The City of Providence contracts with Waste Management to provide residential trash, recycling, and bulk waste pickup services. Waste Management is the prime contractor reachable at 1-800-972-4545. Surrounding cities (East Providence, North Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, Warwick) have their own waste contracts and rules, this page covers Providence proper only.
NEW CART ROLLOUT, March 16, 2026. Providence is rolling out new 64-gallon trash carts to all residential properties starting March 16, 2026. This is a major service change. The new carts will be City of Providence property and assigned to addresses. Visit providenceri.gov/carts to learn how to ensure the swap goes smoothly. Lost or stolen carts: call WM at 1-800-972-4545.
Bulk pickup is one of the most accessible in the country. Just 24 hours' notice gets you up to 3 bulky items collected free, including furniture, appliances (refrigerators with Freon, washers, dryers, water heaters), e-waste, and carpet. The 24-hour lead time is dramatically shorter than most cities, San Francisco and Virginia Beach both require 2 weeks; Hartford requires appointment scheduling; Knoxville is no-appointment but limited to once weekly. Providence's combination of short lead time + same-day curbside pickup + Freon-included makes it one of the most resident-friendly bulk systems in the U.S.
Mattress fee is the one exception. Mattresses and box springs cannot be picked up free curbside. Two options: (1) call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 to make a paid appointment (payment by check, debit, or credit card), OR (2) drop off two mattress items per resident per day FREE at the Mattress Drop-off Center on Saturdays 7 AM-12:45 PM. The Center accepts king/queen splits as three pieces. Proof of Providence residency required at the Center.
Set-out time matters. Place items at curb no earlier than 4 PM the day before your regular trash collection day. Earlier set-outs may attract neighbor complaints and code enforcement notices.
Trash bagging rule. All trash should be bagged. Do not overfill the cart, the lid must close tightly. Bins placed curbside by 6 AM (some sources cite 5:30 AM after new cart rollout). Container should be on the street with wheels against the curb and arrows facing the curb. Keep at least 3 feet from parked cars, mailboxes, and other obstacles.
Overflow Bag Program. Orange overflow bags can be purchased from the City or participating retailers for households that occasionally need extra capacity. Each bag has a weight limit of 50 lbs. More information at providenceri.gov.
Recycling rules. Recycling is REQUIRED in Providence under City Ordinance Sec. 12.61.2, violators can be fined. Single-stream, clean, dry, loose recyclables in the recycling bin. NO plastic bags. Plastic and paper to-go cups are now accepted (recent expansion). Cardboard boxes must be broken down. Learn more at RecycleTogetheRI.com.
Holiday delays. Waste Management observes 7 standard holidays for delays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When a holiday falls on a Monday, that week's collection shifts one day later for the rest of the week.
Customer service. Waste Management (bulk pickup, missed pickups, recycling): 1-800-972-4545. DPW (general questions, recycling carts, yard waste stickers): 401-680-7500. DPW office: 700 Allens Ave, Providence, open Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-3:30 PM.
Providence'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-day pickup faster than the 24-hour Waste Management notice, exceed the 3-item daily limit, can't wait for a Saturday Mattress Drop-off Center visit, have construction debris (not eligible for any city service), or want full-service in-home pickup, paid options are available. Note: Providence's combination of free 3-item daily bulk + free e-waste + free Freon appliances + free Saturday mattress drop-off is one of the most generous bulk systems in any U.S. city, most cleanouts can be staggered free over a few collection days.
LoadUp paid pickup
$80+For households who need same-day or in-home pickup, exceed the 3-item daily limit, can't wait for a Saturday mattress drop-off, need construction debris removed, or want full-service hauling, LoadUp offers professional removal in Providence 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, crew handles in-home pickup.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
When this beats waiting: Move-outs, real estate timelines, multi-load cleanouts (more than 3 items per day), construction debris (not eligible for City service), urgent same-day timelines.
Other paid services in Providence: 1-800-Got-Junk Providence, 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 Providence pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Waste Management Mattress Pickup (paid)
Variable feeFor Providence residents who can't wait for a Saturday Mattress Drop-off Center visit, Waste Management offers paid curbside mattress pickup. Call 1-800-972-4545 Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM to make arrangements.
How to schedule: Call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545, Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM.
Cost: Variable, WM will quote based on items.
Payment: Check, debit card, or credit card.
Free alternative: Mattress Drop-off Center, Saturdays 7 AM-12:45 PM (Providence residents only, ID required).
Different items have different rules in Providence. Here's a quick reference for the most common things people need to dispose of.
Providence residents have free hazardous waste disposal through the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation Eco-Depot program. The main location is at the Central Landfill in Johnston, with satellite locations held throughout Rhode Island during the year. Schedule by appointment at rirrc.org/ecodepot or 401-942-1430 x3241. Free for Rhode Island residents. Drop off paint, motor oil, pesticides, household cleaners, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, propane tanks. Several retailers also offer ongoing free recycling: Home Depot for batteries and CFL bulbs, AutoZone for motor oil and car batteries, Best Buy for electronics, most pharmacies for unused medications.
To report illegal dumping in Providence, call 401-680-7500 (DPW) or use the Providence City reporting tools at providenceri.gov. Reports can also be filed with Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545. Include the location, description of dumped material, and a photo if possible. The Mattress Drop-off Center has security cameras specifically to enforce against illegal dumping there. If you're considering dumping because of cleanout volume, please use the FREE 3-item daily curbside pickup, with 24-hour notice, you can stagger a 9-item cleanout across 3 collection days completely free. For urgent timelines, paid haulers like LoadUp at $80+ are dramatically cheaper than illegal dumping fines under Rhode Island law.
Is there really free junk removal in Providence?
Yes, Providence has one of the most accessible free disposal programs in the country. Just 24 hours' notice via Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 gets you up to 3 bulky items collected free per collection day, including furniture, large appliances, refrigerators with Freon, washers, dryers, water heaters, and e-waste. Mattresses and box springs are the one exception, they require either a paid Waste Management appointment OR free drop-off at the Mattress Drop-off Center on Saturdays 7 AM-12:45 PM (Providence residents only, photo ID required, two items per resident per day). Plus: free curbside yard waste mid-April through mid-December, free Christmas tree pickup in January, free RI Resource Recovery Eco-Depot for hazardous waste, free Goodwill clothing drop-boxes at Hope High School, and free donation pickup through Furniture Bank RI, Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, and Goodwill. Note: construction debris is NOT eligible for any City service.
Why is the lead time only 24 hours when other cities require 2 weeks?
Providence's contract with Waste Management was structured to prioritize resident convenience over routing optimization. Most major U.S. cities consolidate bulk pickup routes into specialized fleet schedules that require 1-4 weeks of advance notice (San Francisco: 2 weeks, Virginia Beach: 2 weeks, Hartford: appointment scheduling). Providence chose a different approach: bulk items get added to existing weekly collection routes when residents call ahead with 24 hours' notice. The trade-offs: WM has to dispatch routes more dynamically, residents are limited to 3 items per day (so larger cleanouts must be staggered across days), and the City pays more per ton of bulk material handled. Providence accepts these trade-offs because the short lead time is a tangible benefit residents notice and use frequently. The program is one reason Providence has lower illegal dumping rates than peer Northeastern cities.
I have 6 items to get rid of. Do I need to pay or wait?
Neither, just stagger across two collection days. Providence's 3-items-per-collection-day limit applies per pickup day, not per appointment. If your trash day is Wednesday, you can put 3 items out Wednesday, then call Waste Management again to schedule another 3-item pickup the following Wednesday. With weekly trash service, that's a 6-item cleanout completed in 8 days, all free. For mattresses specifically, you can also visit the Mattress Drop-off Center on a Saturday for 2 mattress items free per resident per day. So a household with 4 mattresses could drop them off across two consecutive Saturdays. Most household cleanouts (which are typically under 12 items total) can be handled completely free with planning. The Mattress Drop-off Center also accepts free e-waste and extra recycling.
When are new trash carts arriving?
Providence is rolling out new 64-gallon trash carts to all residential properties starting March 16, 2026. This is a major service change. The new carts will be City of Providence property and assigned to addresses (move with the residence, not the resident). Visit providenceri.gov/carts for the current rollout schedule and instructions. Lost or stolen carts: call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545. As of the new cart rollout, place container on the street with wheels against the curb and arrows facing the curb by 5:30 AM on collection days. Keep container at least 3 feet from parked cars, mailboxes, and other obstacles. Trash inside the cart should be bagged. Cart lid must close tightly, don't overfill.
How do I qualify for Freemoval in Providence?
Freemoval works through partner communities, typically affordable housing operators, public housing authorities, and select municipal partnerships. We’re actively expanding partnerships in Providence 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 Providence, contact us to discuss adding your community.
Why are mattresses the only paid bulk item?
In 2015, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and California passed mattress recycling laws that require mattress producers to fund mattress recycling programs. Rhode Island's law (RIGL Title 23) requires mattress sellers to add a fee to each new mattress sold, which funds end-of-life recycling. Mattresses contain 80%+ recyclable material (steel springs, foam, fabric) but require deconstruction at specialized facilities, this is significantly more expensive than standard bulk landfilling. Providence's policy reflects the cost: mattresses get a paid Waste Management curbside pickup OR a free drop-off at the Mattress Drop-off Center where the recycling fee is already covered through the state mattress program. Other states (Massachusetts, New York, Texas) ban mattresses from landfills entirely, Rhode Island's approach is to make the proper-disposal channel free at the drop-off and paid at the curb. King and queen splits count as 3 items at the drop-off because they're packaged that way.
How do I report illegal dumping in Providence?
Call DPW at 401-680-7500 or Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545. Reports can also be filed online at providenceri.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 Providence partner properties through 2026. Reach out to prioritize your community.
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