Special Collection Items
Learn which items require special collection, how to schedule an appointment, and why these items require special collection.
Massachusetts state law prohibits throwing items containing Freons and Cathode Ray Tubes in the trash. The City of Boston provides special collection of appliances and electronics that contain these hazardous materials.
Schedule a Special Item Pickup
Loading ...Which Items Require Special Collections?
Items with Freons
- Fridges and freezers
- Doors must be removed and placed next to your trash bin for regular trash collection
- All food must be removed
- Fridges and Freezers will not be collected if there is food inside or the door is attached.
- Water Coolers
- Ice Makers
- Air Conditioners
- Dehumidifiers
Items with Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs)
- Televisions
- Laptops
- Computer Monitors
Not all items require special collection. Please check the Trash Day App Directory to learn how to properly dispose of materials. Examples of items that do not require special collection include:
- Furniture (donate or curbside trash)
- Bikes (donate or curbside trash)
- Mattresses
- Large exercise equipment (donate or hire a private hauler)
- Construction material (donate or hire a private hauler)
- Water heater, plumbing fixtures, dishwashers (donate or hire a private hauler)
Prepare Your Special Items For Pickup
- Place your item where trash is typically placed (curbside, alley, or dumpster area) by 6 a.m. on the day of your appointment or after 5 p.m. the night before.
- The City and its contractors will not remove these items if they are on private property.
- Make sure your item is not blocked by vehicles or other objects. Do not place anything on top of the item.
- Remove ALL fridge and freezer doors, this includes mini fridges. Items will not be collected if the doors are still attached.
- Remove ALL food from inside fridges and freezers. Items will not be collected if there is food inside.
- Do NOT smash appliances or electronics; all items must be intact.
- Wipe any data from your computer before putting it curbside.
keep in mind
- Special item collection is limited to 10 items per calendar year. A maximum of 5 items can be collected per appointment. If you have exceeded your limit, you will need to contact a private hauler.
- If you need to cancel your appointment, you must cancel before 12 p.m. the day prior to your appointment. To cancel, click the link in your appointment confirmation or reminder emails. For assistance canceling your appointment please call 311.
- The City of Boston does not collect any special items without an appointment.
- The City of Boston does not collect any commercial grade items.
- The City of Boston will not collect fridges/freezers with doors still attached or food inside.
How else can I get rid of these items?
If your special item is still in good working condition, consider donating it to a local organization that will accept it! Many retailers will also accept certain electronics and appliances for recycling. Visit the Boston Zero Waste Directory to find a location near you!
Download the Trash Day App
Never miss yard waste collection again.
With our free Trash Day app you can view a calendar for your home's collection dates, set reminders, and get notifications of schedule changes. You can also search a directory of hundreds of household items to find out the right way to dispose of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ“Freon” is the brand name for gasses or liquids formerly used in appliances that cool or chill. Freons are now known to destroy the Earth’s ozone layer. Import and production of Freons in the United States has been banned since January 2020. Professionals must remove Freons from your appliances to ensure safe disposal. That is why we ask that you schedule an appointment for a special collection of these Freon-containing items. Thank you for doing your part to dispose of waste safely!
CRTs are vacuum tubes found in the glass display part of TVs, computer screens and monitors. CRTs contain lead, a naturally occurring element found in earth’s crust which can be toxic to humans and animals. Because of the dangers of lead, we ask you to schedule an appointment for special collection of items containing CRTs. Thank you for doing your part to dispose of waste safely!
If your special item was not collected on your scheduled date, call 311. Missed pick-ups must be reported within 24-hours of your scheduled date, or you will have to reschedule your pick-up.
If your item is not listed, it does not require an appointment for special collection. Use the search directory to look up hundreds of household items to find out the right way to dispose of them.
Special item collection is limited to 10 items per calendar year. A maximum of 5 items can be collected per appointment.
If you cannot find your address please fill out this form:
Need Assistance?
Need Assistance?Have a question or need additional assistance? 311 can help answer questions about bulk item pickup in the City of Boston. Please dial 3-1-1 or call 617-635-4500.
