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A public resource guide

Free construction debris removal in Allentown, PA

Larger loads need a dumpster.

Roll-off dumpster filled with furniture and renovation debris Checked against City of Allentown

1

bulk item per week on your second trash night, between 5 and 10 p.m.

$20

for a refrigerant appliance pickup by appointment at 610-437-8729 (other appliances free)

3 TVs

per year through the city's appointment-based electronics recycling, 1 per appointment

Every route for construction debris in Allentown, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Allentown guide covers every other item.

Free construction debris removal in Allentown

Here is how each route works in Allentown, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.

Allentown second-night bulk item collection: construction debris

Scheduled pickup; $20 for refrigerant appliances

Up to 40 pounds of contained construction material (lumber, drywall, tile) can go out instead of a bulk item on your second trash night. Larger loads need a dumpster.

Who qualifies: Residences with City of Allentown trash collection (twice-weekly service).

How to schedule: No appointment for one bulk item: on your second trash night of the week (Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday night zones) set out one bulk item, or up to 40 pounds of contained construction material, between 5 and 10 p.m. Appliances and large metal items are a separate scheduled pickup: call 610-437-8729, $20 for refrigerant appliances, free for others.

Limits: One bulk item (or 40 pounds of contained construction material) per week on the second collection night. Appliance pickups by appointment.

Set-out: At the curb in front of your property between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on your second collection night. Containers back within 12 hours.

Read the full Allentown city services guide ›

Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)

Free

Freemoval 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 Allentown: 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 construction debris, 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 Allentown: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.

For partners ›

How Allentown handles construction debris

Allentown, Pennsylvania includes bulk item pickup as part of twice-weekly trash collection at no separate fee, on the second collection night of the week. Set-out is between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM, with up to 5 bags or 2 containers per collection night for regular trash plus bulk items alongside on the second night. The city changed waste haulers on June 1, 2025: J.P. Mascaro & Sons replaced the prior contractor. Collection nights and core service rules stayed the same, but yard waste shifted from weekly April through November to every other week year-round. Electronics and document shredding are by appointment at the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste, 641 S 10th St.

The Allentown rule for construction debris: Up to 40 pounds of contained construction material (lumber, drywall, tile) can go out instead of a bulk item on your second trash night. Larger loads need a dumpster.

Program basics: One bulk item (or 40 pounds of contained construction material) per week on the second collection night. Appliance pickups by appointment. At the curb in front of your property between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on your second collection night. Containers back within 12 hours.

What the city will not take: TVs, computers, and electronics (never at the curb; appointment-based electronics recycling, 1 TV per appointment and 3 a year), tires, auto parts, batteries, liquid paint, and hazardous waste.

How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Allentown: Trash and Recycling rules (2025 limits), City of Allentown: Trash limits (bulk item and appliance recycling). Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.

Why construction debris are different from ordinary bulk. The homeowner versus contractor distinction matters. Cities that accept any C&D at the curb accept it only from residents doing their own work, in small amounts, usually bagged or bundled under 50 pounds. Contractor-generated debris is excluded everywhere and must be hauled by the contractor; make sure debris removal is in your contract.

Prep checklist before pickup day in Allentown

  • In a pre-1980 house, test suspect materials for asbestos before demolition.
  • Remove cabinets, doors, and fixtures intact and schedule a ReStore pickup.
  • Sort concrete and brick, clean lumber, and metal into separate piles for cheaper or free outlets.
  • Bag drywall and plaster in small bags under 40 to 50 pounds; bundle lumber with nails removed.
  • Stage the remaining mixed debris in one accessible pile for a hauler, dumpster, or transfer station run.

Three mistakes that get construction debris left at the curb:

  • Don't put renovation debris out with bulk pickup unless your city explicitly allows small homeowner amounts. It will be skipped and often cited.
  • Don't demolish anything in a pre-1980 house without checking for asbestos. Floor tile, mastic, popcorn ceilings, and pipe wrap are common sources.
  • Don't tear out cabinets you could donate. Complete kitchens are picked up free by ReStores.

Most renovation debris will go through one of these paid channels. Match the volume to the option.

Self-haul to a transfer station

$30 to $100 per pickup load

Transfer stations charge by weight (commonly $60 to $120 per ton with a minimum) or by load. A pickup truck of mixed debris typically runs $30 to $100. Sort concrete and clean wood out for cheaper rates where offered.

Tarp the load; most jurisdictions fine uncovered debris.

Call about asbestos rules before hauling anything from a pre-1980 house.

LoadUp paid construction debris pickup

$80+

For households not eligible for free programs, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Allentown area. Upfront pricing, same-week scheduling, and licensed disposal handled for you.

What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your construction debris. 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 construction debris pickup in Allentown with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.

Construction debris rules in nearby cities

Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Allentown proper, start with the guide for your own city:

Not accepted by city programs. Options: dumpster rental ($300-$600), private hauler, or contractor handles disposal.
NOT accepted. Dumpster rental or paid hauler. Construction Junction (Point Breeze) accepts reusable building materials.
Not accepted in curbside or Special Bulk Volume Pickup. Options: dumpster rental ($300-$500), licensed C&D landfill, or contractor-grade hauling.
NOT accepted in Large Item Pick-Up. Convenience Centers may accept small amounts. Dumpster rental for larger.
NOT in bulky pickup. Licensed C&D landfill, Republic Services roll-off rental, or paid hauler.
See the Anchorage guide.

Related guides: the complete Allentown junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national construction debris disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.

Other free removal guides for Allentown: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.

Common questions about construction debris removal in Allentown

Does Allentown pick up construction debris for free?

40 pounds, contained, instead of a bulk item. Larger loads need a dumpster.

How much does paid construction debris removal cost in Allentown?

Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single construction debris pickup in Allentown starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households not eligible for free programs, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Allentown area. Upfront pricing, same-week scheduling, and licensed disposal handled for you.

Can I put construction debris out with bulk trash?

In most cities, no. Bulk programs exclude C&D. Some cities accept small quantities of homeowner-generated debris (bagged drywall, bundled lumber) under strict weight limits. Contractor debris is excluded everywhere. Check your city in the directory below.

How much does it cost to dump construction debris?

Transfer stations charge roughly $60 to $120 per ton with a minimum fee, so a pickup load runs $30 to $100. Bag dumpsters total $130 to $230. Roll-off dumpsters cost $300 to $600 for a week. Hauler pickup prices by volume from about $150.

What can I recycle from a renovation?

Clean concrete, brick, and asphalt (aggregate recyclers), clean lumber (wood grinders), scrap metal (free at yards), cardboard, and in some regions clean drywall and asphalt shingles. Intact cabinets, doors, windows, and fixtures are donations rather than recycling.

Will Habitat ReStore pick up kitchen cabinets?

Most ReStores pick up complete cabinet sets in good condition, along with doors, windows, appliances, and fixtures. Schedule before demolition and remove cabinets carefully with doors and drawers intact.

Is this Allentown page maintained?

Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Allentown guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.

Fund a free pickup in Allentown

Help cover someone else’s haul.

Most LoadUp customers fund Freemoval pickups by rounding up at checkout. If you’re not booking a paid pickup yourself but want to help, you can contribute directly, pooled with other donations to fund subsidized pickups in Allentown at standard market rates, the same rates LoadUp charges any paying customer.

Choose a custom amount→

Freemoval is a social impact program of LoadUp Technologies, LLC. Contributions are not tax-deductible. 100% of contributions fund pickups at standard market rates, the same rates LoadUp charges any paying customer. No separate fundraising overhead is deducted from donations.