Disposing of Household Items That Won't Fit in Your Trash Container

Have you been doing a major spring cleaning and don’t have a pickup truck to haul away items? You might not realize that the Town will pick up many household items that won’t fit in your trash container. These household items include grills, printers, exercise equipment, large children’s toys, chairs, and more.

Every week, residents may dispose of one larger household item less than 50 pounds and under 2 ½ cubic yards, about the size of load a pickup truck can carry, or several small items that don’t fit into your trash container, at no additional charge. Collection occurs on the same day as trash service but is conducted by a Town vehicle. 

A fee will be charged for items exceeding 2 ½ cubic yards or 50 pounds, and for household appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and driers.

Always place household items at the edge of the front yard, just behind the curb and off the street pavement.

How will I know if I have a large load?

When your regular Public Works crew comes by for pick up on trash day, they will collect your load if it is under 2 ½ cubic yards. If the load exceeds 2 ½ cubic yards or 50 pounds, the crew will place a door hanger on your front door indicating the cost for removal. Please call the Finance Department to pay the fee over the phone at (919) 557-3925. Once the fee is paid, the Public Works crew will return to collect the oversized load, usually within 24 hours.

Please be aware that sofa beds, mattresses, box springs, and construction materials cannot be collected. We recommend using a private removal service for those items, or dispose of them at the South Wake Landfill. 

What about household appliances?

Refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and similar appliances are classified as "white goods" for disposal purposes. These items can be picked up from your curbside for a fee of $40 each. After payment, place white goods at the curb on your scheduled service day, or call (919) 552-5920 to schedule a pickup. 

Residents also can drop off white goods at the Southern Wake Landfill Convenience Center located at 6025 Old Smithfield Road, Apex, at no charge.

How much will it cost?

There are three levels of charges based on the size of the load. 

• For household loads that are 2½ to less than 4 cubic yards in size, or heavier than 50 pounds, a $40 fee will be charged for pickup. 
• For loads at 4 to 8 cubic yards, an $80 fee will be charged.
• For household goods greater than 8 cubic yards but less than 12 cubic yards, a $120 fee will be charged.

For household appliances, a fee of $40 each is charged for disposal.

What if I leave a large load of household goods for pick-up, but I do not pay the fee?

If a resident does not make payment, a second door tag will be left. If the payment still is not made, the Town staff will contact the resident to have the items removed.