How to Get Rid of a Couch or Old Furniture in New York City, NY
✓ Last verified October 29, 2026 against official New York City, New York and retailer sources. See sources.
Rather not haul it? See pickup prices
Quick answer
- DSNY removes couches, sofas, tables, dressers and other furniture from the curb for free. No appointment is needed. Appointments are no longer offered.
- Put it out between 6 p.m. and midnight the night before your trash collection day, not your recycling day.
- You can set out up to 6 bulk items per collection day.
- For a sofa bed or pullout, remove the metal frame and put it out with metal recycling.
Your options in New York City
DSNY curbside bulk collection Free
NYC residents get free curbside removal of large items. A sofa, an EZ chair, a wood table or any furniture that isn't mostly metal or rigid plastic is non-recyclable bulk: set it out the night before your trash-only collection day. Furniture that is mostly metal or rigid plastic goes out the night before recycling day. DSNY asks you to take furniture apart if you can, and to bundle smaller pieces with tape or twine. Look up your days with DSNY's collection-schedule tool.
- When
- 6 p.m.–midnight the night before your trash collection day
- Limit
- Up to 6 bulk items per collection day
- Appointment
- Not needed (no longer offered)
Sources: NYC311 – Bulk Item Disposal; DSNY – Large Items; DSNY – Furniture, Mattresses & Rugs
Sofa beds and pullouts Free
NYC311 says to remove the metal frame from a sofa bed or pullout and put it out with your metal recyclables. The rest of the sofa goes out with trash. Any mattress put out for bulk collection has to be sealed in a plastic bag.
Source: NYC311 – Bulk Item Disposal
Oversized pieces Varies
If the piece is too big for a regular collection truck, break it down. If it can't be broken down, you may need a private removal service. You can email DSNY at customerservice@dsny.nyc.gov with a description and dimensions to ask whether it can be collected.
Source: NYC311 – Bulk Item Disposal
Don't do this
- Don't put furniture in the street, in front of another property, or where it blocks pedestrians.
- Don't leave it on private property. DSNY can't collect items that aren't at the curb or in the designated area.
- If the couch has bed bugs, put a sign on it saying so. NYC311 requires it.
- Don't put a wood or upholstered couch out on recycling day.
Or pay someone to haul it
If you can't get it to a drop-off site, or can't wait for city pickup, a junk-removal service can take it from inside your home. Prices depend on the company, your location and the size of the load, so get a quote first. Ask whether they recycle or donate items and whether they follow New York City's rules, especially for electronics and paint. Another option is to hire moving helpers by the hour: they do the lifting, and with a truck they can drive it to a drop-off site. They move it where you tell them, so pick a legal destination from this guide.
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Rather not haul it? See prices for pickup help in the New York City area
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Hourly helpers + truck
Hourly movers/helpers with a truck, you direct the job: they carry it out and drive it where you say. Not a junk-removal company.
See prices & book helpersHireAHelper lists independent moving helpers paid by the hour. It is not a junk-removal company: they move it where you tell them, so pick a legal drop-off from this guide. Prices depend on your job, and any drop-off fee is separate.
Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Is couch pickup free in NYC?
Yes. DSNY removes large items from residential buildings at the curb for free, up to 6 per collection day.
Do I need to schedule a bulk pickup in NYC?
No. NYC311 says pick-up appointments are no longer offered. Put the couch out between 6 p.m. and midnight the night before your trash day.
Does the holiday schedule affect bulk pickup?
It can. Remaining 2026 sanitation holidays are Election Day (Nov. 3), Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) and Christmas (Dec. 25). Check NYC311 near the date.
Sources
All checked on October 29, 2026. Rules, hours and fees change, so confirm with the source before you go.