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A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of construction debris in San Francisco, verified October 2026.
Checked against SF Environment
2
free Recology bulky collections a year for buildings of 5 units or fewer
10
items per appointment, none over about 100 pounds
RECOLOGY
sign required on the pile on your scheduled date
Fees apply
Recology SF Transfer Station public recycling area, fees apply
Every route for construction debris in San Francisco, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full San Francisco guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in San Francisco, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Recology San Francisco Bulky Item Recycling: construction debris
Not collectedConstruction and demolition debris is excluded. Recology's transfer station and private debris box rental handle it for a fee.
Why: Hazardous waste, construction and demolition debris, auto parts, and tires. Recology runs a separate free household hazardous waste pickup for residents.
Recology SF Transfer Station public recycling area: construction debris
Fees applyC&D accepted for a fee.
Where: 501 Tunnel Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134
How it works: Open to city residents and businesses. Electronics and non-hazardous materials; fees apply to garbage loads. Check acceptance before you go.
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 San Francisco: 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 San Francisco: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
San Francisco runs a uniquely structured Recology system: free curbside Bulky Item Recycling by appointment via Recology, 2 pickups per year for residential customers (buildings with 5 units or fewer), 1 pickup per year per unit for apartment dwellers in 6+ unit buildings. Up to 10 items per appointment, no item over 100 lbs. The crucial detail: each item must be tagged with a sign that reads "RECOLOGY", without the sign, crews don’t know what to take. Schedule at least 2 weeks in advance via (415) 330-1300, customerservice@recologysf.com, or the online Bulky Item Recycling Form. Tenants in apartments can schedule directly without going through landlords. SF’s recycling is collected WEEKLY, unusual nationally where biweekly is standard. Composting has been mandatory since 2009 (one of the most successful urban organics programs in the U.S.). NO Styrofoam in any cart, drop off at Recology SF Transfer Station for densifier processing. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The San Francisco rule for construction debris: Construction and demolition debris is excluded. Recology's transfer station and private debris box rental handle it for a fee.
What the city will not take: Hazardous waste, construction and demolition debris, auto parts, and tires. Recology runs a separate free household hazardous waste pickup for residents.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: SF Environment: Get rid of bulky items (Recology free bulky item pickup), Recology San Francisco: Bulky Item Recycling program. 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.
Three mistakes that get construction debris left at the curb:
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 loadTransfer 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 who need same-day or in-home pickup, exceed the 10-item or 100-lb limits, can’t wait for the 2-week appointment lead time, have already used their annual allotment, or want full-service hauling without managing the RECOLOGY-sign requirement, LoadUp offers professional removal in San Francisco with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
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 San Francisco with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside San Francisco proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete San Francisco 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 San Francisco: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does San Francisco pick up construction debris for free?
No. Transfer station for a fee or a debris box.
How much does paid construction debris removal cost in San Francisco?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single construction debris pickup in San Francisco starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households who need same-day or in-home pickup, exceed the 10-item or 100-lb limits, can’t wait for the 2-week appointment lead time, have already used their annual allotment, or want full-service hauling without managing the RECOLOGY-sign requirement, LoadUp offers professional removal in San Francisco with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
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 San Francisco page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full San Francisco guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.