Item: Furniture and bulky waste (sofas, dressers, mattresses, tables, large appliances) Jurisdiction: Seattle city limits / King County, Washington Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Seattle residential garbage customers can schedule a Special Item Collection for large furniture items. The fee is $30 per item for anything larger than 2' x 2' x 2'. Schedule online through the Seattle Public Utilities website. Place items at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day (or after 6:00 PM the night before).
Alternatives: Self-haul to the North or South Transfer Station (fees vary — verify the current rate), or donate items in good condition to a charity such as Salvation Army or Habitat ReStore.
Important: Special Item Collection is for single-family residential garbage customers with city-issued carts. Apartment and condo residents may not be eligible — call SPU with your address to check.
Quick Facts
- City pickup: Special Item Collection — $30 per large item (over 2'x2'x2')
- Small items box: $20 — for multiple small special items in one container
- Extra garbage bag: $14.40 per additional bag
- Who qualifies: Seattle residential garbage customers with city service
- Self-haul: North and South Transfer Stations accept bulky waste (fees unconfirmed — verify)
- Donation: Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, St. Vincent de Paul — must be in good condition
- Apartment/condo: Likely not eligible for Special Item Collection — verify with SPU
- Scheduling lead time: Not confirmed — check SPU website for available slots
- Mattress wrapping: Rules not confirmed — ask SPU when scheduling
- Business waste: Separate rules and rates — not eligible for residential programs
Special Item Collection — What It Covers
Seattle's Special Item Collection program allows residential garbage customers to schedule pickup of items that do not fit in their regular garbage cart.
Eligible items (larger than 2' x 2' x 2'):
- Sofas, couches, and armchairs
- Dressers, desks, and tables
- Mattresses and box springs (wrapping rules unconfirmed — ask)
- Refrigerators, freezers, and appliances (remove doors)
- TVs and electronics (must be over 2'x2'x2')
- Other large items that do not fit in the garbage cart
Fees:
- $30 per large item (over 2'x2'x2')
- $20 per Special Items box (a labeled box or container for multiple small special items)
- $14.40 per extra garbage bag beyond the cart allowance
How to schedule:
- Online through the Seattle Public Utilities Special Item Collection page
- Scheduling lead time (how far in advance) is not confirmed in available sources — check the website for the next available appointment
Who is eligible:
- Seattle residential garbage customers with city-issued garbage, recycling, and compost carts
- Single-family homes and small multi-unit buildings with direct city service
Is There a Free Pickup Allowance?
The available official sources indicate that all bulky items over 2' x 2' x 2' carry a $30 per-item fee through Special Item Collection. Whether Seattle offers any annual free bulky item allowance is not documented. Do not assume there is a free pickup option — ask Seattle Public Utilities directly if you believe you qualify for a free pickup or if there are any promotional periods.
Items small enough to fit in your regular garbage cart (under 2'x2'x2') are covered by your regular garbage service fee.
Curb Placement Rules and Preparation
Follow these rules when placing items out for Special Item Collection:
- Place at curb by 7:00 AM on collection day or after 6:00 PM the night before
- Do not block sidewalks, mailboxes, fire hydrants, or storm drains
- Keep items separate from garbage, recycling, and compost carts
- Disassemble large items if possible — table legs, sofa sections, bed frames — for easier handling by the collection crew
- Remove doors from refrigerators and freezers — this is a safety requirement
- Mattress wrapping/bagging: Whether Seattle requires mattresses to be wrapped or bagged is not confirmed. Ask SPU when scheduling your pickup. If wrapping is required, use a proper mattress bag — do not rely on plastic sheeting alone
- Glass tabletops: Tape an X pattern across the glass to prevent shattering during handling
- Do not place items in the street or bike lane — keep on the planting strip or curb
Keep your confirmation/request number in case the pickup is missed and you need to follow up.
Self-Haul to Seattle Transfer Stations
If you have a vehicle and prefer to handle disposal yourself, the North and South Seattle Transfer Stations accept bulky waste.
North Transfer Station:
- Accepts bulky waste, furniture, and appliances
- Does NOT accept household hazardous waste
- Fees for furniture/bulky waste are not confirmed in available official sources — check the transfer station page for the current fee schedule
South Transfer Station:
- Same rules as North — bulky waste accepted, HHW not accepted
- Fees for furniture not confirmed — verify before going
When to choose self-haul:
- You have multiple items to dispose of in one trip
- You are not eligible for Special Item Collection (apartment resident, business)
- You want to avoid scheduling and lead time
When to avoid self-haul:
- You do not have a vehicle large enough for furniture
- The transfer station fee ends up higher than $30 per item
- Wait times at transfer stations can be long on weekends
Donation and Charity Pickup
If your furniture is in good condition (no major stains, tears, or structural damage), donation is the most environmentally friendly option — and it may be free with a tax deduction.
Common charities that accept furniture donations:
- Salvation Army — may offer free pickup for large items; check the Seattle location
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore — accepts furniture, appliances, and building materials
- St. Vincent de Paul — furniture donation pickups vary by location
Important: Each organization sets its own pickup/drop-off policies, service areas, and condition requirements. Call the specific charity location in Seattle to verify:
- Do they accept the type of furniture you have?
- Do they offer curbside pickup, or must you drop off?
- What is the pickup scheduling window?
- Are there any fees?
Donation pickup can take days or weeks to schedule. If you need disposal quickly, Special Item Collection or self-haul may be faster.
Apartment and Condo Rules
Special Item Collection eligibility: If you live in an apartment or condo with a shared dumpster or a private hauler, you likely cannot use the city's Special Item Collection program. The program is designed for single-family residential garbage customers with city-issued carts.
Your options:
- Self-haul to a transfer station — if you have a vehicle and can transport furniture yourself
- Check with your property manager — your building may have a bulky waste disposal process through its private hauler
- Donation — if items are in good condition
- Junk removal service — 1-800-GOT-JUNK or similar companies will haul items for a fee
- Rent a pickup truck — from a car-sharing service or rental company, then self-haul to the transfer station
Call SPU with your address to confirm whether your specific building qualifies for Special Item Collection — some multi-unit buildings with direct city service may still be eligible.
Business and Contractor Bulk Waste
Businesses, contractors, and commercial properties cannot use residential Special Item Collection or residential transfer station rates.
- Commercial bulky waste: Must be handled through a commercial waste service
- Contractor debris: Use the transfer station at commercial rates or hire a disposal service
- Property management: Bulk disposal of furniture from rental units is commercial waste
Contact Seattle Public Utilities for commercial disposal options, or search for "Seattle commercial waste disposal" for private haulers.
Costs and Fees
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Special Item Collection (large item over 2'x2'x2') | $30 per item | Per-item fee for furniture, appliances, large TVs |
| Special Items box (small items) | $20 | Box or labeled container for multiple small special items |
| Extra garbage bag | $14.40 per bag | Beyond regular cart allowance |
| Transfer station self-haul (furniture) | Unconfirmed | Check the transfer station fee schedule |
| Donation pickup | Free (typically) | May offer tax receipt |
| Junk removal service | Varies | Paid service — get a written quote |
Route Comparison
| Option | Cost | Pros | Cons | Verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Item Collection | $30/item | Convenient — they come to you, no vehicle needed | Requires scheduling, single-family eligibility only | Check SPU website |
| Self-Haul to Transfer Station | Varies | Can take multiple items, open to non-single-family too | Need vehicle, fees vary, possible long wait times | Check transfer station fee schedule |
| Donation / Charity Pickup | Free (typically) | Environmentally friendly, possibly tax-deductible | Item must be in good condition, pickup schedule varies | Call local charity |
| Junk Removal Service | Paid | They do all the work, no vehicle needed | Most expensive option | Get a written quote |
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Putting furniture out without scheduling a pickup
If you place furniture at the curb without a confirmed Special Item Collection appointment, it will not be collected. It may also result in a code violation for illegal dumping.
2. Blocking sidewalks or bike lanes
Furniture placed in the sidewalk, street, or bike lane creates hazards. Keep items on the planting strip or curb.
3. Assuming apartment eligibility
Most apartment residents cannot use Special Item Collection. Verify with SPU before relying on this option.
4. Donating items in poor condition
Charities will reject furniture with stains, tears, odors, or structural damage. Only donate if the item is genuinely reusable.
5. Forgetting to remove refrigerator doors
This is a safety requirement to prevent children from being trapped inside discarded appliances.
6. Not checking transfer station fees
Self-haul may cost more than the $30 Special Item Collection fee if the transfer station charges by weight or has a minimum fee.
7. Waiting until the last minute
Special Item Collection requires scheduling. If you need furniture gone quickly, check availability before you plan your move-out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my old sofa in the regular Seattle garbage cart? No. Large furniture exceeds garbage cart capacity and is not collected through regular service. Use Special Item Collection.
How much does Special Item Collection cost? $30 per large furniture item over 2'x2'x2'. $20 for a Special Items box for multiple small items.
Do I need to wrap my mattress for pickup? Seattle's mattress wrapping requirements are not confirmed. Ask SPU when scheduling your pickup.
Can apartment residents use Special Item Collection? Possibly not — the service is for residential garbage customers with city service. Call SPU with your address to confirm eligibility.
Can I take furniture to a transfer station myself? Yes. North and South Transfer Stations accept bulky waste for a fee. Call or check the transfer station page for current rates.
How far in advance do I need to schedule? The scheduling lead time is not confirmed in available sources. Check the SPU Special Item Collection page for available appointment slots.
How many items can I schedule per pickup? The maximum number of items per pickup request is not confirmed. Ask SPU when scheduling.
Official Verification Checklist
Use this when contacting SPU or checking the website.
- Confirm Special Item Collection eligibility for your address — call SPU or check online; not all addresses qualify
- Confirm current per-item fee — $30 confirmed but verify current rate
- Ask about free pickup allowance (if any) — ask SPU directly if any items or annual allowance are free
- Confirm scheduling lead time and availability — how far in advance are appointments available?
- Confirm maximum items per pickup request — can you schedule multiple items in one request?
- Confirm mattress/bagging requirements — does Seattle require mattresses to be wrapped?
- Check transfer station fees as an alternative — compare self-haul cost vs. pickup cost
- Confirm donation eligibility if donating — call to verify the charity accepts your items
Sources
- Seattle Public Utilities — Collection & Disposal Hub
- Special Item Collections — Seattle Public Utilities
- Special Item Collection Request — Seattle Public Utilities
- Seattle Transfer Stations — Seattle Public Utilities
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Fees, program eligibility, and pickup schedules change. Always verify current information with Seattle Public Utilities before scheduling a furniture or bulky waste collection.