Plan junk removal in Philadelphia

Choose the disposal route before hiring

Start with an inventory by material. List furniture and mattresses together, then identify electronics, appliances, renovation materials and containers of chemicals. Photograph the items you want removed and mark anything that must stay. Ask the hauler to confirm acceptance of each group before you agree to a pickup.

Philadelphia residents can use six sanitation convenience centers for oversized trash, recycling and other accepted materials. The City requires proof of residence and a vehicle with a total weight below 6,000 pounds. It allows personal or commercial vehicles for eligible resident trips, but excludes commercial contractors and vehicles carrying commercial loads. [1]

For a hired cleanout, request the receiving facility's name and ask how the crew will separate materials. If someone proposes taking a contractor load to a resident center, ask for a different disposal plan before booking. [1]

Get a quote for your exact load and access

Send the same inventory and photos to each hauler you approach. Describe the floor, stairs, elevator arrangements, doorway clearance and distance from the items to the proposed loading spot. Say whether you want the crew to remove belongings from inside or collect items you have staged.

Ask each provider to explain its pricing basis and include loading, transport, disposal, item-specific charges and any taxes in the written total. Request its minimum charge, exclusions and procedure for approving extra work. For a volume-based quote, ask the provider to describe the truck capacity and the portion of it your quote covers.

Before accepting, ask for proof of insurance and confirm who will perform the work. Agree on the arrival window, cancellation terms and cleanup scope. Keep any uncertain items on a separate list so the crew can price them before loading.

Prepare appliances, electronics and chemicals

The sanitation centers accept electronic waste, unwrapped mattresses and box springs, and large metal household items or appliances, including items containing refrigerants. The City limits the bulk-item, large-metal-item and appliance category to two items a day. It also limits oversized-item visits to once a week. [1]

For chemicals, check the household hazardous-waste program's accepted-material list. It includes fuels, pesticides, solvents and paints. Events serve residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties; businesses must use a private service. The City directs electronic waste to sanitation centers rather than these events. [2]

Keep hazardous products in their original labeled containers and do not mix them. The City instructs residents to seal lids and caps, put containers that cannot close tightly in sealed plastic bags, and secure materials in a sturdy box for the event trip. Ask a hauler to confirm a separate disposal arrangement before adding chemicals to its scope. [2]

Plan street-dumpster placement before delivery

If you want a roll-off dumpster in the public right-of-way, ask the rental company to confirm the placement approval and identify the permit applicant. The Department of Streets includes roll-off dumpsters in its equipment-placement street-closure process. Applicants must hold a Contractor License or Commercial Activity License and identify the equipment location on a site plan. [3]

The City requires online applications at least 10 business days before work starts and warns that processing may take longer. Its Right-of-Way unit reviews the application, determines the fee and issues an invoice after approval. The applicant pays before receiving the permit. If the work zone encroaches on a travel lane, the City requires police assistance. [3]

Ask the supplier to separate rental charges from City permit charges. For parking-lane closures, the City lists $2.50 per foot per week in Center City or University City and $1.50 per foot per week in other areas. It applies a $50 minimum weekly fee and a $70,000 maximum yearly fee per closure type per block. The separate dumpster-only category costs $40 per dumpster per week. Have the supplier confirm the applicable category and total fee before accepting a permit allowance. [3]

Published parking-lane closure rates

Choose a route for each part of the cleanout

Your hiring checklist

1. Photograph the removal pile and label belongings that must stay.
2. Separate furniture, electronics, appliances, renovation debris and chemicals in your inventory.
3. Describe stairs, doorways, elevator arrangements and the proposed loading location.
4. Request a written total with disposal charges, exclusions and approval terms for additions.
5. Ask for proof of insurance and the receiving facility's name.
6. Confirm who will obtain any street-placement approval before ordering a dumpster.
7. Agree on the arrival window and the condition in which the crew will leave the space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a hired hauler use my resident drop-off eligibility?

The City excludes commercial contractors and commercial loads from sanitation convenience centers. Ask the hauler to identify another receiving facility for its load; your resident eligibility does not remove those restrictions. [1]

Can I take an old refrigerator or television to a sanitation center?

The City accepts appliances containing refrigerants and electronic waste, including televisions. Check the appliance quantity limit, oversized-visit frequency and vehicle requirements before loading your vehicle. [1]

Does a dumpster quote include the street permit?

Ask the supplier to state that in writing. The City publishes permit fees separately, including $40 per dumpster per week for the dumpster-only category. Confirm the applicable category, applicant and payment responsibility before delivery. [3]

How should I compare junk-removal prices?

Give providers the same inventory and access information. Compare the written total, accepted items, lifting scope, disposal destination and terms for extra charges. Ask providers to explain any volume allowance before you accept.