Free
scheduled bulky pickup through 311, CLT+, or online, no published yearly limit
6 a.m.
deadline on your scheduled day, set out no sooner than the day before
8
passenger tires per pickup, rims removed
Every route for carpet and rugs in Charlotte, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Charlotte guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Charlotte, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Charlotte scheduled bulky waste collection: carpet and rugs
FreeRolled and tied carpet is bulky waste once scheduled.
Who qualifies: Any address that gets garbage collection from the City of Charlotte, including apartment and condo communities, which schedule the same way and set items by the dumpster.
How to schedule: Schedule through 311 (704-336-7600), the CLT+ app, or online at servicerequest.charlottenc.gov. Free, and the city does not publish a yearly limit. Cancel or change by noon the business day before.
Limits: No published volume limit. Items must be listed on the request. Multifamily communities with more than 5 appliances need extra planning through the city's multifamily administrator.
Set-out: At the curb by 6 a.m. on your scheduled day and no sooner than the day before, with 3 feet between items. Appliances must be empty with the door removed and an X of tape across the opening.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Charlotte: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering carpet and rugs, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Charlotte: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Charlotte’s bulk pickup runs on appointment-based scheduling through the CLT+ portal or 311. Combined with four free full-service Mecklenburg County drop-off centers and weekly garbage and yard waste, Charlotte has solid free disposal options. This page walks through every one in order from free to paid, including the strict 75-pound item weight limit and the unique 2-week recycling cycle.
The Charlotte rule for carpet and rugs: Rolled and tied carpet is bulky waste once scheduled.
Program basics: No published volume limit. Items must be listed on the request. Multifamily communities with more than 5 appliances need extra planning through the city's multifamily administrator. At the curb by 6 a.m. on your scheduled day and no sooner than the day before, with 3 feet between items. Appliances must be empty with the door removed and an X of tape across the opening.
What the city will not take: Household hazardous waste (batteries, bulbs, paint, propane) and tires still on rims. Mecklenburg County's four full-service recycling centers handle those.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services: Collection Guidelines (bulky waste), City of Charlotte: Multi-family Services (bulky collection for apartments). Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why carpet and rugs are different from ordinary bulk. The volume is the first surprise. Carpet rolls do not compress, and a whole house of carpet can be 500 to 1,000 pounds spread over 15 to 25 rolls. Bulk programs set item limits that a whole-house removal exceeds, so staged pickups or a hauler are often needed.
Three mistakes that get carpet and rugs left at the curb:
Paid options are for whole-house tear-outs that exceed bulk limits and for contractor-generated carpet, which residential bulk programs exclude.
Self-haul to a transfer station or recycler
$20 to $80Rolled carpet loads easily into a pickup or trailer. Transfer stations charge by weight; carpet recyclers charge a small per-pound fee or accept free where stewardship programs exist.
Weigh it in your head: about 0.5 pounds per square foot for carpet, 0.25 for padding.
LoadUp paid carpet pickup
$80+For households who need same-week service, have items the city won’t accept (over 75 lbs, certain construction debris), or live in unincorporated Mecklenburg County, LoadUp offers professional removal in Charlotte with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your carpet. 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.
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 carpet pickup in Charlotte with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Charlotte proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Charlotte junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national carpet and rugs disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Charlotte: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Charlotte pick up carpet and rugs for free?
Yes, rolled and tied, with a scheduled pickup.
How much does paid carpet and rugs removal cost in Charlotte?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single carpet pickup in Charlotte starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households who need same-week service, have items the city won’t accept (over 75 lbs, certain construction debris), or live in unincorporated Mecklenburg County, LoadUp offers professional removal in Charlotte with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
Can I put old carpet out with bulk trash?
Yes in most cities, if it is cut into rolls under the program’s length limit (usually 4 to 6 feet), rolled tightly, and tied. Padding should be rolled separately. Contractor-generated carpet is usually excluded. Check your city’s rule below.
How do I cut and roll carpet for pickup?
Flip a section face down and cut strips 3 to 4 feet wide from the back with a utility knife and a straight edge. Roll each strip tightly and tie it in two places with twine or wrap it with tape. Keep rolls under about 50 pounds.
Is carpet recyclable?
Yes, though access varies. Nylon carpet is the most recyclable, and padding is widely recycled into new padding. California’s CARE program provides free drop-off statewide; elsewhere, carpet reclamation facilities and some flooring retailers accept it, sometimes for a small fee.
What do I do with the tack strips?
Pry them up with a flat bar, stack them nail side in, wrap tightly in cardboard, and tape. Put the bundle in the trash cart or with bulk, clearly wrapped so no one gets stuck.
Is this Charlotte page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Charlotte guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.
