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A public resource guide
Spring Cleanup (Mar 30-May 9, 2026) and Fall Cleanup: 6-week roll-off dumpster windows, free transfer station coupon included. Nothing collected outside carts year-round except seasonal cleanup. SUVSWD for HHW and electronics at suvswd.org.
Provo resource guide
Provo, Utah, at a glance: Spring Cleanup (Mar 30-May 9, 2026) and Fall Cleanup: 6-week roll-off dumpster windows, free transfer station coupon included. Nothing collected outside carts year-round except seasonal cleanup. SUVSWD for HHW and electronics at suvswd.org. This page pulls the Provo specifics for water heaters out of our full Provo junk removal guide: what the city program accepts, where to donate, the prep that keeps a pickup from being skipped, and paid options when you need a water heater gone this week.
A drained tank water heater is free to dispose of almost everywhere. Choose based on who is doing the lifting. Here is how each route works in Provo.
Provo Spring and Fall Cleanup (water heaters)
Free, 6 weeks eachTwo cleanup windows per year provide roll-off dumpsters at multiple city locations, plus a free transfer station load coupon. The primary free path for bulk items in Provo.
Closest Provo by-item rule (“Refrigerator or appliance”): Seasonal cleanup dumpsters or SUVSWD transfer station (suvswd.org). Retailer haul-away. Freon recovery required.
Spring Cleanup 2026: March 30 - May 9, 2026. Roll-off dumpsters at Provo City Compost Yard and rotating neighborhood sites.
Fall Cleanup: Typically October to November (six-week window).
Required: Proof of residency: utility bill or driver’s license.
Free coupon: Both cleanups include a coupon for a free transfer station load. Fall Cleanup also includes 5 free leaf bag coupons.
Provo Compost Yard year-round
Free for residentsThe Provo City Compost Yard at 1625 S Industrial Pkwy is open year-round Fridays and Saturdays for recycling drop-off. Full compost services from March to November.
Hours: Friday and Saturday 7:00 AM-5:00 PM, weather dependent. Full compost services March to November; recycling-only December to February.
Required: Proof of residency: driver’s license or current Provo utility bill.
Donation pickup in Provo (usable water heaters)
FreeUtah’s major thrift and donation network with multiple Utah Valley locations. The most established and accepted donation channel in the Provo/Orem area, accepting furniture, appliances, clothing, and household goods.
Schedules free pickup for usable furniture and large items. Schedule online at satruck.org.
Plumber or installer haul-away
Included in most replacementsPlumbers and big-box installers remove and recycle the old tank as part of a replacement job. It is already disconnected when the new one goes in, and the installer has the dolly and the truck. Confirm haul-away is on the quote.
Ask whether a separate disposal fee applies. A few installers add $25 to $50; most include it.
Emergency replacements sometimes leave the old tank behind when the crew is in a hurry. Mention it before they leave.
Scrap metal recyclers
Free, sometimes paid to youA tank is 100 to 150 pounds of steel plus copper fittings, so scrap yards accept them at no charge and independent scrappers pick them up from the curb within hours of a free listing. Fully drained is a condition every yard enforces.
Remove the drain valve after draining so the yard can see the tank is empty.
Tankless units contain a copper heat exchanger and are also accepted; many yards pay more for them.
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 Provo: 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 water heaters, 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 Provo: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Provo, Utah takes a seasonal approach to bulk waste: Spring Cleanup (March to May) and Fall Cleanup each provide six weeks of roll-off dumpsters at multiple city locations for residents to drop off large items and bulk waste, with a free transfer station load coupon included. Provo has no appointment-based or automated curbside bulk pickup outside these seasonal windows. Year-round, everything must fit inside the cart. The South Utah Valley Solid Waste District handles HHW and electronics for the region. This guide covers disposal options for City of Provo residents.
Provo does not list water heaters as a separate line in its bulk rules. The closest category in the city table is “Refrigerator or appliance”: Seasonal cleanup dumpsters or SUVSWD transfer station (suvswd.org). Retailer haul-away. Freon recovery required. Treat that as the starting point and confirm with the city program before set-out.
Hazardous and regulated components in Provo. The South Utah Valley Solid Waste District (SUVSWD) handles HHW and electronics for Provo and surrounding Utah Valley communities.
Why water heaters are different from ordinary bulk. The weight problem is entirely water. People try to tip a tank that has not fully drained and discover that 30 remaining gallons weigh 250 pounds. Sediment at the bottom can also clog the drain valve, leaving the tank heavier than it looks. Flushing with the cold supply on for a minute often clears it.
Three mistakes that get water heaters left at the curb:
Paid options come into play for basement tanks with difficult stairs, heat pump units, and situations where no replacement is being installed.
Self-haul to a transfer station or scrap yard
Free to $15A drained tank lies flat in a pickup bed or a large SUV. Scrap yards take them free; transfer stations may charge a small bulky item fee.
Strap it down. An empty tank rolls.
LoadUp paid water heater pickup
$80+For Provo households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Provo area.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your water heater. 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 water heater pickup in Provo with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Provo proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Provo junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national water heater disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Provo: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Provo pick up water heaters for free?
Provo does not list water heaters separately. The closest category in the city’s by-item rules is "Refrigerator or appliance": Seasonal cleanup dumpsters or SUVSWD transfer station (suvswd.org). Retailer haul-away. Freon recovery required. Confirm with the city program before set-out.
Where can I donate a water heater in Provo?
Utah’s major thrift and donation network with multiple Utah Valley locations. The most established and accepted donation channel in the Provo/Orem area, accepting furniture, appliances, clothing, and household goods.
How much does paid water heater removal cost in Provo?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single water heater pickup in Provo starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Provo households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Provo area.
How do I drain a water heater before disposal?
Turn off the gas or the breaker and shut the cold water supply. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve and run it to a floor drain or outside. Open a hot tap upstairs and the T&P valve to let air in. When the flow stops, open the cold supply briefly to flush sediment, then close it and let the tank finish draining. Expect 20 to 40 minutes for a 50 gallon tank.
Can a water heater go out with bulk trash?
In most cities, yes, as long as it is drained. Some cities treat it as an appliance with its own appointment. Check the local rule in the directory below.
Will a scrap yard pay for an old water heater?
Usually a few dollars for the steel, more for a tankless unit with a copper heat exchanger. Most yards require the tank to be fully drained and some ask that the drain valve be removed.
Is there anything hazardous in a water heater?
Standard gas and electric tanks contain no refrigerant or regulated materials. Heat pump water heaters contain refrigerant in the compressor and must be handled like a refrigerator. The glass lining and the magnesium or aluminum anode rod are inert.
Is this Provo page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Provo guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.