How to Dispose of Furniture in NYC
Curbside rules, free donation pickups, selling, and junk removal — every legal way to get furniture out of your apartment before a move.
The short version: most furniture can go curbside free on your regular DSNY trash night (mattresses must be sealed in plastic bags), donation services like Housing Works and the Salvation Army offer free pickups for good-condition pieces, and NYC-focused marketplaces like AptDeco handle selling with pickup included. Plan it 1–2 weeks before your move so it doesn't collide with move day.
Option 1 — Free DSNY curbside pickup
- 1.Put furniture out with your regular trash, after 6pm (8pm April–October) the evening before collection.
- 2.Mattresses & box springs must be sealed in plastic mattress bags — it's NYC law, and skipping it risks a fine.
- 3.Tape an X over mirrors and glass, and remove doors from cabinets when possible.
- 4.Fridges & air conditioners need a DSNY CFC-removal appointment first; electronics can't go in the trash at all.
- 5.Live in a large building? Check with your super — many buildings have their own bulk-item procedures.
Rules change — verify specifics for your address on the DSNY website (nyc.gov/sanitation).
Option 2 — Donate it (free pickups)
Housing Works
Free pickup in much of NYC for sellable furniture — proceeds fund homelessness and HIV/AIDS services. Book online; quality standards apply.
The Salvation Army
Free donation pickups scheduled online. Accepts most furniture in good condition.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Accepts furniture and building materials; pickup availability varies by borough.
Goodwill
Drop-off at NYC locations; no pickup for most furniture, but great for smaller items.
Big Reuse (Brooklyn)
Non-profit reuse center accepting furniture, cabinets, and household goods.
Buy Nothing groups
Post it free in your neighborhood group — in NYC, decent furniture posted at 9am is usually gone by noon.
Donation pickups book out 1–2 weeks ahead in NYC — schedule as soon as your move date is set. Keep the receipt; donations are tax-deductible.
Option 3 — Sell it
AptDeco is NYC's furniture-resale specialist — they handle pickup and delivery, which solves the biggest friction of selling. Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist move items fastest if the buyer hauls it.
- •Price at 20–40% of retail for a quick sale.
- •Post 1–2 weeks before the move; buyer no-shows are common, so build in buffer.
- •Anything unsold by 3 days before the move → switch to donate or curbside.
Don't leave it for move day
The most expensive way to get rid of furniture is having movers load, transport, and unload something you never wanted. Decide what's staying before you book — and tell us what's not coming. We can often plan donation set-asides or curbside staging as part of your move.
NYC Furniture Disposal FAQs
How do I dispose of furniture in NYC for free?
NYC residents can put most furniture curbside for free DSNY collection on their regular trash day — place items out after 6pm (or 8pm Apr–Oct) the evening before. Mattresses and box springs must be sealed in plastic bags, and mirrors/glass should be taped. Check the DSNY website for your building's rules and any item-specific requirements.
Do I need an appointment to throw out furniture in NYC?
Most plain furniture doesn't need an appointment — it goes out with regular trash. Appliances containing refrigerants (fridges, ACs) require a DSNY CFC-removal appointment before disposal, and electronics can't go in the trash at all (use e-waste drop-offs or retailer take-back).
How do I throw out a mattress in NYC?
NYC law requires mattresses and box springs to be fully sealed in a plastic mattress bag before curbside disposal — otherwise you risk a fine. Mattress bags cost about $5–10 at hardware stores and on Amazon. Then put it out on your regular trash night.
Can I sell my furniture instead?
Yes — AptDeco (NYC-focused, handles pickup and delivery), Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist all work. Price at 20–40% of retail for quick sales, and post at least 1–2 weeks before your move so pickup logistics don't collide with move day.
What happens to furniture when I move — can the movers take it?
Tell your movers ahead of time what's not coming. Depending on the job we can often set aside items for donation or curbside as part of the move — mention it when you book so the crew and truck time are planned for it.
How do I get rid of furniture fast before a move?
Fastest first: post it free on Buy Nothing/Craigslist free (gone in hours for decent items), then curbside on your next trash night (bag mattresses), then paid junk removal for same-day guaranteed removal of large volumes.
Downsizing before a move?
Tell us what's coming and what's not — we'll quote the move flat-rate and plan around it.
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