A public resource guide
Rolled carpet is accepted by most bulk programs if it is cut to length and tied. The padding, the tack strip, and California’s carpet recycling law are the details that change the plan.
Last updated: October 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Wall-to-wall carpet is heavy, bulky, and almost entirely plastic: nylon or polyester face fiber on a polypropylene backing with latex. A 12 by 12 room produces about 60 to 100 pounds of carpet plus 20 to 40 pounds of padding. Most city bulk programs accept carpet if it is cut into rolls under a length limit (commonly 4 to 6 feet), rolled tight, and tied, with padding rolled separately. Installers will haul old carpet when laying new, carpet recycling exists in a growing number of regions, and California requires carpet to be recycled under its CARE stewardship program. Area rugs in good condition are donations.
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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.
Padding is a separate stream. Rebond foam padding is one of the most recycled carpet components (it is remade into new padding), and many carpet retailers and some recyclers accept clean, dry padding free. Wet or pet-soiled padding is trash.
Tack strips are wood with hundreds of upward-facing nails, and they are the piece that injures people. Pry them up with a flat bar, stack them nail side in, wrap in cardboard, and tape before putting them in the trash or bulk pile. Carpet staples in the subfloor should be pulled or hammered flat.
Most carpet leaves free through one of these routes, in rough order of effort.
Installer haul-away with new flooring
Often includedWhen new carpet or hard flooring is installed, the installer tears out and hauls the old carpet and padding as part of the job. Confirm it is on the quote; some charge $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot for removal and disposal, which is still the easiest path.
Ask whether they recycle. Many flooring retailers participate in carpet reclamation programs.
Furniture must be moved before tear-out in most contracts.
City bulk pickup for cut and tied rolls
Free in most citiesCut carpet into strips 3 to 4 feet wide, roll tightly, and tie each roll with twine or tape. Most programs accept rolls under 4 to 6 feet long and 50 pounds. Roll padding separately. Stage the rolls neatly and count them against your item limit.
Use a utility knife from the back side; the backing cuts far more easily than the face.
Tack strips wrapped in cardboard and taped go out with the rolls or in the trash cart.
Carpet and padding recycling programs
Free to small feeCarpet reclamation facilities and some flooring retailers accept clean, dry carpet and padding for recycling into new products. In California, carpet is covered by the CARE stewardship program funded by a fee on new carpet, with drop-off sites across the state. Outside California, recyclers exist in most large metros but may charge a small fee.
Padding is the easiest to recycle; many carpet stores accept clean rebond padding at the counter.
Wet, moldy, or pet-contaminated carpet is not recyclable.
Donation of area rugs
FreeArea rugs in good condition, cleaned and free of odor, are accepted by thrift stores, ReStores, and animal shelters (which use them for kennels). Free listings move rugs quickly. Wall-to-wall remnants in good condition can also be given away for workshops and garages.
Roll rugs face in and tie for transport.
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 pickup
$80+For households not eligible for free programs, or who need carpet and rugs gone this week, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in cities across all 50 states. Upfront pricing, same-week scheduling, in-home pickup from any floor, and licensed disposal or recycling handled for you.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and disposal. 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.
Get a carpet pickup price from LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Nearly every bulk program accepts carpet in cut, rolled, and tied bundles under a length limit, with padding rolled separately. Contractor tear-outs are excluded. Tap a city for its length limit and item count. Each city link opens a dedicated free carpet removal guide for that city, built from the same researched city data.
Akron, OH Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction or renovation debris): Not accepted in curbside or Special Bulk Volume Pickup. Options: dumpster…
Free carpet removal in Akron →
Albuquerque, NM Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT accepted in Large Item Pick-Up. Convenience Centers may accept small amounts.…
Free carpet removal in Albuquerque →
Allentown, PA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction or renovation debris): Not accepted in curbside collection. Options: roll-off dumpster rental…
Free carpet removal in Allentown →
Anaheim, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulky pickup. Licensed C&D landfill, Republic Services roll-off rental, or paid…
Free carpet removal in Anaheim →
Anchorage, AK Launching
See the Anchorage guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Anchorage →
Arlington, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulk. Self-haul to landfill (3 free visits), private hauler, or dumpster rental.
Free carpet removal in Arlington →
Atlanta, GA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in residential bulk pickup. Options: dumpster rental…
Free carpet removal in Atlanta →
Augusta, GA Launching
NOT accepted in Augusta curbside collection. Paid pickup via LoadUp or self-haul to a transfer station.
Free carpet removal in Augusta →
Aurora, CO Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Roll-off rental from your hauler or Waste Connections. Licensed C&D landfill or paid…
Free carpet removal in Aurora →
Austin, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in city bulk pickup. Options: dumpster rental…
Free carpet removal in Austin →
Bakersfield, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction or renovation debris): Not accepted curbside. Options: roll-off dumpster rental ($300-$500),…
Free carpet removal in Bakersfield →
Baltimore, MD Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Small amounts may be accepted at Drop-Off Centers. Major projects…
Free carpet removal in Baltimore →
Baton Rouge, LA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction or renovation debris): Not accepted curbside. Options: roll-off dumpster rental, licensed C&D…
Free carpet removal in Baton Rouge →
Birmingham, AL Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in residential bulk pickup. Options: dumpster rental…
Free carpet removal in Birmingham →
Boise, ID Launching
See the Boise guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Boise →
Boston, MA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (lumber, drywall, brick)): NOT accepted curbside. 400 Frontage Road transfer station…
Free carpet removal in Boston →
Bridgeport, CT Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Not accepted at Transfer Station. Licensed C&D landfill, dumpster rental, or paid hauler.
Free carpet removal in Bridgeport →
Buffalo, NY Launching
Free in 2-piece weekly bulk, cut into 4-foot sections to count as one piece each.
Free carpet removal in Buffalo →
Camden, NJ Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction/renovation debris): NOT accepted in city pickup. Licensed NJ hauler or dumpster rental only.
Free carpet removal in Camden →
Cape Coral, FL Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Not in curbside bulk. Licensed C&D landfill, dumpster rental, or paid hauler.
Free carpet removal in Cape Coral →
Chandler, AZ Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Collection Center (load fee). Larger projects: private dumpster rental.
Free carpet removal in Chandler →
Charlotte, NC Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in city bulk pickup (no drywall, siding, roofing,…
Free carpet removal in Charlotte →
Chattanooga, TN Launching
Free Bulk Trash, place in separate pile.
Free carpet removal in Chattanooga →
Chesapeake, VA Launching
NOT in bulk trash (adhesives and tacks). SPSA Transfer Station, paid LoadUp, or licensed C&D disposal.
Free carpet removal in Chesapeake →
Chicago, IL Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in Bulky Item Pick Up. Options: dumpster rental…
Free carpet removal in Chicago →
Chula Vista, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): 1 of 2 annual landfill passes to Otay Landfill (1 ton each). Material separation…
Free carpet removal in Chula Vista →
Cincinnati, OH Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT accepted in city pickup. Dumpster rental or paid hauler.
Free carpet removal in Cincinnati →
Cleveland, OH Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in regular trash, bulk, or Ridge Road. Options: city…
Free carpet removal in Cleveland →
Colorado Springs, CO Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT accepted by residential haulers. Licensed C&D landfill, dumpster rental, or paid…
Free carpet removal in Colorado Springs →
Columbia, SC Launching
Free Bulky Item Pickup if under 40 lbs. Larger pieces require self-haul.
Free carpet removal in Columbia →
Columbus, OH Launching
MUST schedule first via 311. Free bulk pickup.
Free carpet removal in Columbus →
Corpus Christi, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in twice-annual bulky. J.C. Elliott Collection Center (fees may apply) or private…
Free carpet removal in Corpus Christi →
Dallas, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (lumber, sheetrock, brick, concrete)): Not accepted in city bulk pickup. Free landfill…
Free carpet removal in Dallas →
Denver, CO Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (lumber, drywall, concrete)): NOT accepted in city pickup. Self-haul to DADS or rent a…
Free carpet removal in Denver →
Des Moines, IA Launching
One $5 sticker covers 5 rolls if tied together (max 4 ft long, 18 in diameter). Single rolls: $1 sticker each.
Free carpet removal in Des Moines →
Detroit, MI Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Up to 50 lbs per piece accepted in weekly bulk (wood, lumber with nails removed).…
Free carpet removal in Detroit →
Durham, NC Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulky pickup. Private hauler, dumpster rental, or licensed C&D landfill required.
Free carpet removal in Durham →
El Paso, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT accepted at CCS. Licensed C&D landfill, dumpster rental, or paid hauler required.
Free carpet removal in El Paso →
Fayetteville / Bentonville, AR Launching
See the Fayetteville / Bentonville guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Fayetteville / Bentonville →
Fort Wayne, IN Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulk pickup. Private hauler or dumpster rental.
Free carpet removal in Fort Wayne →
Fort Worth, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in monthly bulk. Private hauler, dumpster rental, or licensed C&D landfill.
Free carpet removal in Fort Worth →
Fresno, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in regular carts. California state law requires C&D recycling. Roll-off dumpster or…
Free carpet removal in Fresno →
Garland, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in regular brush/bulky. Hinton Landfill (fees apply) or private dumpster rental.
Free carpet removal in Garland →
Gilbert, AZ Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Transfer station (limited). Private dumpster rental for larger projects.
Free carpet removal in Gilbert →
Grand Rapids, MI Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in regular trash or bulk. Licensed C&D landfill, dumpster rental, or paid hauler…
Free carpet removal in Grand Rapids →
Greensboro, NC Launching
Free bulk pickup IF rolled and tied. Each bundle max 5 feet. Otherwise crews will not collect.
Free carpet removal in Greensboro →
Greenville, SC Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in city bulk pickup. Greenville County Twin Chimneys Landfill or licensed C&D…
Free carpet removal in Greenville →
Hartford, CT Launching
Free Bulky Waste Collection (counts as 1 of 5 items). Should be rolled and tied.
Free carpet removal in Hartford →
Henderson, NV Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulk. Republic Services dumpster rental, private hauler, or licensed C&D disposal.
Free carpet removal in Henderson →
Honolulu, HI Launching
Bulky appointment IF rolled and bundled, under 6 ft and 60 lbs. Otherwise convenience center drop-off.
Free carpet removal in Honolulu →
Houston, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (small amounts)): Up to 4 cubic yards of building material accepted in heavy trash except…
Free carpet removal in Houston →
Indianapolis, IN Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (lumber, drywall)): NOT accepted in city pickup. Citizens' Transfer Station accepts.…
Free carpet removal in Indianapolis →
Irvine, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulky pickup. Private hauler, dumpster rental, or licensed C&D landfill.
Free carpet removal in Irvine →
Jackson, MS Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction/renovation debris): NOT in regular city pickup. MDEQ-permitted C&D landfill, dumpster rental, or…
Free carpet removal in Jackson →
Jacksonville, FL Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (diy only)): Up to 2 cubic yards every other week in Waste Pro automated areas only.…
Free carpet removal in Jacksonville →
Kansas City, MO Launching
Must be rolled up and over 4 ft long or 40 lbs to qualify for Bulky Pickup. Smaller pieces in regular trash.
Free carpet removal in Kansas City →
Knoxville, TN Launching
Free WEEKLY bulky, rolled, tied, cut to 6 ft or less.
Free carpet removal in Knoxville →
Lakeland, FL Launching
See the Lakeland guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Lakeland →
Las Vegas, NV Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulk pickup. Self-haul to Apex Regional Landfill (fees apply) or rent a dumpster.
Free carpet removal in Las Vegas →
Lexington, KY Launching
See the Lexington guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Lexington →
Lincoln, NE Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Bluff Road Landfill ($52.09/ton). Hauler roll-off. Private hauler.
Free carpet removal in Lincoln →
Long Beach, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in Special Collection. EDCO (residential), licensed C&D landfill, dumpster rental,…
Free carpet removal in Long Beach →
Los Angeles, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (lumber, drywall, roofing)): NOT accepted in LASAN bulky pickup. Requires private…
Free carpet removal in Los Angeles →
Louisville, KY Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (lumber, drywall)): NOT in Large Item Pickup or curbside. Waste Reduction Center…
Free carpet removal in Louisville →
Lubbock, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Self-haul to FREE Citizen Convenience Station (limited). Larger projects: private…
Free carpet removal in Lubbock →
Madison, WI Launching
See the Madison guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Madison →
McAllen, TX Launching
See the McAllen guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in McAllen →
Memphis, TN Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in regular trash, Outside-the-Cart, or Convenience…
Free carpet removal in Memphis →
Mesa, AZ Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in Mesa bulk. Private hauler, dumpster rental, or licensed C&D disposal.
Free carpet removal in Mesa →
Miami, FL Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in Miami-Dade bulky pickup or T&R Centers. Options:…
Free carpet removal in Miami →
Milwaukee, WI Launching
Free in regular bulk, not considered Construction Waste.
Free carpet removal in Milwaukee →
Minneapolis, MN Launching
Free Large Item Pickup. Rolls under 5 ft long, less than 12 inches diameter, under 40 lbs. Tied with rope/twine/tape (no wire).
Free carpet removal in Minneapolis →
Nashville, TN Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (diy)): 1 cubic yard limit at Omohundro Convenience Center only. Larger amounts: Southern…
Free carpet removal in Nashville →
New Orleans, LA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Up to 25 lbs of properly contained C&D accepted in bulky pickup.…
Free carpet removal in New Orleans →
New York, NY Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (small diy)): Major construction NOT collected. Bagged DIY debris under 60 lbs in some…
Free carpet removal in New York →
Newark, NJ Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction/renovation debris): NOT accepted in any city pickup. Private hauler or dumpster rental only.
Free carpet removal in Newark →
Norfolk, VA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in regular bulk waste. Special bulk request (fee) or licensed C&D landfill.
Free carpet removal in Norfolk →
North Las Vegas, NV Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulk. Republic Services dumpster rental, private hauler, or Las Vegas Landfill.
Free carpet removal in North Las Vegas →
Oakland, CA Launching
Free in Bulky Pickup.
Free carpet removal in Oakland →
Oklahoma City, OK Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (contractor)): NOT in bulky pickup. Self-haul to landfill or rent a roll-off dumpster.
Free carpet removal in Oklahoma City →
Omaha, NE Launching
See the Omaha guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Omaha →
Orlando, FL Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted in regular weekly pickup. Options: dumpster rental…
Free carpet removal in Orlando →
Philadelphia, PA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted by city programs. Options: dumpster rental…
Free carpet removal in Philadelphia →
Phoenix, AZ Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (diy)): Up to 25 lbs only in bulk pickup, resident-generated only. Contractor-generated…
Free carpet removal in Phoenix →
Pittsburgh, PA Launching
Free 2-per-week bulk pickup. Must be bundled and tied in sections no more than 5 feet long and 35 lbs each.
Free carpet removal in Pittsburgh →
Plano, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulky waste. Private hauler, dumpster rental, or licensed C&D landfill required.
Free carpet removal in Plano →
Portland, OR Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (lumber, drywall)): Not in compost/recycling. Self-haul to Metro transfer station.…
Free carpet removal in Portland →
Providence, RI Launching
FREE curbside pickup with 24-hour notice (counts toward 3-items/day limit).
Free carpet removal in Providence →
Provo, UT Launching
See the Provo guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Provo →
Raleigh, NC Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (lumber, drywall, roofing)): NOT accepted in city pickup. Take to Wake County convenience…
Free carpet removal in Raleigh →
Reno, NV Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Transfer station trip (limited per cleanouts). WM dumpster rental, private hauler, or…
Free carpet removal in Reno →
Richmond, VA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in bulk pickup or Saturday Cleanups. Self-haul to transfer stations or rent a dumpster.
Free carpet removal in Richmond →
Riverside, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT accepted in city pickup or Agua Mansa. Licensed C&D landfill or dumpster rental…
Free carpet removal in Riverside →
Rochester, NY Launching
See the Rochester guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Rochester →
Sacramento, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in any free pickup. Self-haul to Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station.…
Free carpet removal in Sacramento →
Saint Paul, MN Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in monthly bulky. Private hauler, dumpster rental, or licensed C&D landfill required.
Free carpet removal in Saint Paul →
Salt Lake City, UT Launching
See the Salt Lake City guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Salt Lake City →
San Antonio, TX Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): 1 cubic yard limit at Bulky Centers. Larger amounts: dumpster rental.
Free carpet removal in San Antonio →
San Diego, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Self-haul to Miramar (tipping fees apply). Larger amounts: dumpster…
Free carpet removal in San Diego →
San Francisco, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT accepted in Bulky Item Recycling. Self-haul to SF Transfer Station (fees apply).…
Free carpet removal in San Francisco →
San Jose, CA Launching
See the San Jose guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in San Jose →
Santa Ana, CA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in regular bulky. Private dumpster rental or licensed C&D landfill.
Free carpet removal in Santa Ana →
Scottsdale, AZ Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (rocks, gravel, dirt, construction): NOT accepted in alley container or surrounding area. Salt River Landfill…
Free carpet removal in Scottsdale →
Seattle, WA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Not collected curbside. Self-haul to North or South Transfer Station (UDP customers get…
Free carpet removal in Seattle →
Spokane, WA Launching
See the Spokane guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Spokane →
St. Louis, MO Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Small amounts accepted at Transfer Stations. Major contractor…
Free carpet removal in St. Louis →
St. Petersburg, FL Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): NOT in special pickup. Solid Waste Disposal Complex, dumpster rental, or private hauler.
Free carpet removal in St. Petersburg →
Stockton, CA Launching
See the Stockton guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Stockton →
Syracuse, NY Launching
Accepted in bulk collection (1 of 4 free/year). Must fit within 2-cubic-yard area.
Free carpet removal in Syracuse →
Tampa, FL Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris or renovation waste): Not accepted curbside if generated by a contractor…
Free carpet removal in Tampa →
Tucson, AZ Launching
Free Brush & Bulky Plus during zone rotation.
Free carpet removal in Tucson →
Tulsa, OK Launching
See the Tulsa guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Tulsa →
Virginia Beach, VA Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (private contractor)): Contractor must dispose of their own debris. Self-haul to Landfill…
Free carpet removal in Virginia Beach →
Washington, DC Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris (renovation materials)): NOT accepted by DPW. Use MWCOG Builders Recycling Guide for…
Free carpet removal in Washington →
Wichita, KS Launching
Not listed separately; closest rule (construction debris): Self-haul to Brooks Landfill ($52.09/ton). Heartland Recycling Services dumpster rental.
Free carpet removal in Wichita →
Winston-Salem, NC Launching
Annual Bulky Pick-Up accepts carpet. Otherwise Hanes Mill Road Landfill.
Free carpet removal in Winston-Salem →
Worcester, MA Launching
See the Worcester guide for bulk rules.
Free carpet removal in Worcester →
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.
Can I donate an area rug?
Yes if it is clean, odor-free, and intact. Thrift stores, ReStores, and animal shelters accept rugs, and free listings move them quickly. Have it professionally cleaned or at least vacuumed and aired out first.
How much does carpet weigh?
About 0.5 pounds per square foot for carpet and 0.25 for padding. A 12 by 12 room yields roughly 70 to 100 pounds of carpet and 30 to 40 pounds of padding; a whole house can be 500 to 1,000 pounds.
What does LoadUp charge to remove carpet?
A few rolls price at the single-item minimum, around $80 to $100 in most metros; whole-house tear-outs price by volume. Independent loaders on the LoadUp marketplace take carpet to recyclers where programs exist.
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.