What to Do With Bulk Items Dayton Won't Pick Up Curbside
If you've ever dragged a busted couch or a pile of old lumber to the curb only to watch the trash truck roll right past it, you're not alone. Homeowners across Dayton, Centerville, Miamisburg, and the surrounding Miami Valley deal with this frustration regularly.
The truth is, the City of Dayton's bulk waste collection program has specific rules and a long list of items it simply won't take. Understanding those limitations can save you time, avoid fines, and help you find a better solution for getting rid of items that are too large, too heavy, or too complicated for standard curbside pickup.
Dayton's Division of Waste Collection does offer bulk waste pickup for residents, but you need to schedule it in advance by calling 937-333-4800 or through Dayton Delivers. Even then, there are strict guidelines about what qualifies.
The city will generally collect items like old furniture, small appliances, and bundled yard waste as long as you follow their size and weight requirements. Yard waste, for example, must be tied into bundles no longer than 4 feet and no heavier than 25 pounds each.
However, there is a significant list of items the city will not collect at the curb:
This leaves a lot of common household items in a gray area and many Dayton homeowners stuck wondering what to do next.
Based on our experience serving the Dayton metro area, these are the items homeowners most frequently assume the city will handle but won't:
Old mattresses and box springs can sometimes be collected, but they must meet specific guidelines and be scheduled in advance. If you have multiple mattresses or they are in poor condition, curbside pickup may be denied.
Refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerants that require special handling under Ohio environmental regulations. Simply placing one at the curb is not an option in most cases. Proper disposal involves recovering the refrigerant before the unit can be recycled or landfilled.
Electronics and e-waste such as old televisions, computer monitors, and printers are not accepted in regular trash or bulk pickup. The Montgomery County Solid Waste District provides e-waste recycling options, but getting items there requires transportation and effort.
Carpeting and large rugs are bulky, heavy, and awkward to handle. Rolled-up carpet often exceeds the city's size restrictions for bundled waste, leaving homeowners without a clear disposal option.
Construction debris from DIY renovations is another common surprise. Even a small bathroom remodel can generate piles of tile, drywall, and lumber that the city won't touch.
When the city won't pick it up, you still have several paths forward. Here is what is available to Dayton-area residents:
Montgomery County Transfer and Recycling Facility: Located at 1001 Encrete Lane in Moraine, this is the primary drop-off point for Montgomery County residents. You can bring yard waste for free in paper bags or loose with no plastic bags, recycle electronics, and dispose of household items for a fee. Important to note: all truck and trailer loads must be fully tarped before entering the facility.
Licensed construction and demolition debris facilities: If your project generated concrete, brick, lumber, or roofing materials, these need to go to a licensed C&DD landfill. Montgomery County has several, including facilities on Eckhart Road in Germantown, Taylorsville Road in Huber Heights, and Vance Road in Dayton.
Hazardous waste collection events: Montgomery County periodically hosts household hazardous waste collection days for items like paint, batteries, pesticides, and cleaning chemicals. Check the Montgomery County Solid Waste District website for upcoming dates.
Professional junk removal services: For homeowners who don't have a truck, can't make multiple trips, or simply don't have the time, hiring a local junk removal company is often the most practical solution. A professional team handles the heavy lifting, loading, transportation, and proper disposal all in one visit.
There are certain situations where trying to handle bulk disposal on your own costs more time, money, and energy than it is worth. Professional junk removal is especially valuable when:
In all of these scenarios, the items involved typically fall outside what the city will collect, making a professional service the most efficient option available.
At JunkIT Dayton, we handle the items that curbside pickup leaves behind. Our team regularly removes:
We serve homeowners throughout Dayton, Franklin, Springboro, Centerville, and Miamisburg, providing flexible scheduling and straightforward pricing.
There are a few items we are unable to accept due to local regulations and permitting requirements, including paint, toxic products, and concrete. Tires can be handled as a separate load due to specific permitting rules.
Whether you are scheduling city bulk pickup or hiring a junk removal service, a little preparation goes a long way:
Separate what you can. Group similar items together with furniture in one area, electronics in another, and yard waste in its own pile. This speeds up the removal process and helps ensure items are disposed of properly.
Know what is hazardous. Paint cans, chemical containers, propane tanks, and automotive fluids need to go through Montgomery County's hazardous waste program, not in with regular junk.
Check for donation-worthy items. Before everything gets hauled away, consider whether any items could be donated. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army in the Dayton area accept gently used furniture, appliances, and household goods.
Clear a path. If items are in a basement, attic, or back corner of the garage, make sure there is a clear route to get them out. This helps any removal team work safely and efficiently.
The longer bulky items sit in your garage, yard, or driveway, the harder it becomes to deal with them. What starts as one old couch can quickly turn into a full-blown clutter problem.
If the City of Dayton can't pick it up, JunkIT Dayton can. We make it simple to clear out the items that don't fit in a trash can or qualify for bulk collection. Call (937) 400-2100 or visit junkit-dayton.com to request a free quote and get your space back.