What Can (and Can’t) Be Hauled Away by NYC Junk Removal Services

Every week we get the same call: "Do you take [specific item]?" After over 10,000 jobs across NYC, we’ve compiled the most comprehensive list of what we haul away and what requires specialized handling. This guide covers everything.

Furniture & Household Items - Always Yes

This is 90% of what we haul. Everything goes:

• Seating: Couches, sectionals, loveseats, recliners, armchairs, office chairs, dining chairs, barstools, benches
• Tables: Dining, coffee, end, console, desk, conference, folding
• Storage: Dressers, wardrobes, armoires, bookshelves, cabinets, filing cabinets, chests, trunks
• Beds: Mattresses (bagged), box springs, bed frames, headboards, footboards, bunk beds, daybeds
• Other: Rugs, carpets (rolled), curtains, blinds, lamps, mirrors, artwork, picture frames, clocks, vases
• Outdoor: Patio furniture, umbrellas, grills (propane tanks removed), fire pits, garden benches
• Kids: Cribs, high chairs, strollers, toy chests, toys, playpens

See our furniture removal service for pricing details.

Appliances - Yes, With Notes on Freon

Major appliances we take:

• Refrigerators, freezers, wine coolers (Freon surcharge $25-50)
• Washers, dryers (gas and electric)
• Dishwashers, garbage disposals
• Stoves, ovens, ranges, cooktops
• Microwaves, toaster ovens, convection ovens
• Window A/C units, portable A/Cs (Freon surcharge)
• Water heaters, boilers
• Range hoods, exhaust fans

Small appliances:

• Toasters, coffee makers, blenders, food processors
• Stand mixers, slow cookers, pressure cookers
• Vacuum cleaners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers
• Space heaters, fans, air purifiers

Everything gets EPA-certified Freon recovery where needed. See appliance removal.

Electronics - Yes, Properly Recycled

NYC prohibits e-waste at the curb. We take all of it, route to R2-certified recyclers:

• TVs (all types, all sizes)
• Computers, laptops, tablets, monitors
• Printers, scanners, fax machines, copiers
• Stereos, receivers, speakers, subwoofers
• DVD/VCR/Blu-ray players
• Gaming consoles (working ones get donated)
• Cameras, camcorders
• Phones, cables, chargers
• Small electronics (radios, calculators, old digital cameras)

Construction & Demolition Debris - Yes

NYC sanitation doesn’t take C&D. We do, to licensed C&D transfer stations:

• Drywall, plaster, lath
• Lumber, plywood, framing
• Flooring: wood, laminate, vinyl, tile, carpet with padding
• Cabinetry (kitchen, bathroom, built-in)
• Countertops (laminate, granite, marble, quartz)
• Plumbing fixtures: toilets, sinks, tubs, shower enclosures
• Doors, windows, frames
• Trim, molding, baseboards
• Insulation (non-asbestos)
• Roofing materials (shingles, tar paper)
• Concrete, brick, block (weight-priced)
• Metal studs, aluminum, copper pipes

See construction debris removal.

Yard Waste - Yes, Composted

• Branches, limbs, trimmings
• Leaves, grass clippings (bagged or loose)
• Tree stumps (small-medium)
• Mulch, wood chips
• Fences (wood, chain-link, vinyl)
• Sheds, outbuildings (after demolition)
• Garden soil, sod

Specialty Items - Yes, Usually With Notes

• Hot tubs: Yes - drain, dismantle, haul ($550-850). See hot tub removal.
• Sheds: Yes - demo and haul ($450-1,500). See shed removal.
• Pool equipment: Yes, after pool water is properly drained
• Exercise equipment: Yes - treadmills, ellipticals, weight sets
• Pianos: Yes - uprights routinely, grands with specialty partner
• Pool tables: Yes - disassemble and haul (slate pool tables require 3-4 crew)
• Arcade/pinball machines: Yes, standard rates
• Vending machines: Yes, empty or full (commercial rates)
• Safes: Yes (empty), specialty pricing for large floor safes

What We CAN’T Take - And What to Do Instead

❌ Hazardous materials

Paint, solvents, gasoline, motor oil, pesticides, pool chemicals, propane tanks (full or partial), batteries (some), fluorescent bulbs, aerosols.

Solution: NYC SAFE Disposal events (free, quarterly). We can drop these off for you as part of a cleanout - adds $40-100.

❌ Biohazard waste

Medical waste, needles/sharps, body fluids, pharmaceutical waste.

Solution: Certified medical waste hauler (Stericycle, Daniels Health, etc.).

❌ Asbestos-containing materials

Pre-1978 insulation, floor tiles, pipe wraps, ceiling tiles that test positive for asbestos.

Solution: NYC-licensed asbestos abatement company. We coordinate referrals.

❌ Live ammunition or firearms

Cannot transport per federal law.

Solution: NYPD Property Clerk, licensed FFL transfer.

❌ Radioactive or contaminated materials

Very rare, but old smoke detectors, some medical equipment, certain industrial items.

Solution: NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

⚠️ Items with restrictions

• Mattresses: Must be bagged per NYC Admin Code § 16-142.1 (we bag for you)
• Tires: We take but surcharge ($3-8 each) due to recycling fees
• Propane tanks: Only empty tanks - full or partial require exchange program
• Bed-bug-infested items: We take with double-bagging and proper handling (surcharge possible)

How We Decide What to Donate vs. Dispose

Our crews assess every item at pickup:

1. Working and clean → Donation route (Housing Works, Goodwill, ReStore)
2. Broken but materials recoverable → Recycling route (scrap metal, e-waste facility)
3. Non-recoverable → Licensed transfer station (landfill)

Over 60% of what we pick up gets donated or recycled. Read what happens to your junk after pickup for the full journey.

Frequently Asked Questions