Special Item Collections
Schedule a special item collection
To request the collection of large or hard to dispose of items at your home, schedule online or call Seattle Public Utilities Customer Service at (206) 684-3000. The utility account holder must make the request.
We will pick up items such as large furniture and appliances, TVs, computers, small appliances, and small recyclable items that cannot go in the mixed recycling (compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), batteries, small gas canisters, and foam blocks).
Cost
Costs vary by the type of item collected. Charges for special item collections will appear on your combined utility bill. The person(s) responsible for the combined utility bill must be able to authorize charges on the account.
Utility Discount Program (UDP) customers that live in a single-family home and receive a Seattle Public Utilities bill in their name can get two free special item pickups per year when calling for collection. When making a special item collection request, customers should let the call center representative know they are a UDP customer to ensure the collection is free of charge.
UDP customers that receive a Seattle Public Utilities bill in their name may also receive free transfer station passes up to twice each year. To learn more, visit SPU Utility Discount Program.
- No cost: Foam blocks and used cooking and motor oil
- $5.00 per pick up, per item type: small propane canisters (NEW!), CFLs, household batteries
- $20.00 per pick up: Special Items box - for multiple small special items (electronics, household batteries, small appliances, etc.)
- $30.00 per item: Large furniture, appliances, and TVs larger than 2' x 2' x 2'
- $38.00 per item: Items containing CFCs (such as refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 2005)
Instructions
You will receive specific instructions on how to prepare items for collection when you schedule the pickup.
On collection day, set out special items where you would normally have your solid waste service collected. Items placed outside must be on a flat, level surface (no stairs) and easily accessible from the street.
If the normal solid waste location is a secured area, please place the bulky item outside. If there are challenges to finding a location outside to place the bulky item, call our Contact Center at (206) 684-3000 to request technical assistance with finding a set out location.
Special items will be collected on the next regular garbage collection day, after the pickup has been scheduled. Items must be out at the collection point by 7:00 a.m. on that collection day.
Special Items Categories
- Appliances, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, dryers, trash compactors, air conditioners and washing machines
- Box springs and mattresses
- Furniture, dressers, cabinets, tables, chairs, and sofas
- For safety reasons, please remove any refrigerator and freezer doors that have latches
- Appliances and furniture cannot exceed 300 pounds or 8 feet in length or 4 feet in diameter
- Items made of absorbent material must have a waterproof cover on rainy days
- TVs (size limits apply)
- Computer monitors, CPUs, laptops
- E-readers (like Kindle or NOOK), tablets, portable DVD players
- Cell phones
- Electronic waste cannot exceed 60 lbs and must fit in a box that is no larger than 2' x 2' x 2'
- You can put several small items in one box that does not exceed the weight and size limit
- TVs cannot exceed the weight or size limit
- Broken or obsolete items only
- Limit: two 1-gallon bags per collection for single family residence
- Limit: two 1-gallon bags per recycle cart or dumpster for multifamily residence
- Tape the ends of each individual battery
- Put rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries in separate, sealed clear bags
- Place in small box next to your garbage cart, on garbage collection day, after receiving confirmation that pick-up has been scheduled
- CFLs and Household Batteries can be placed out on the same collection day (in separate bags) for a single charge of $5.00
- Limit: two 1-gallon bags per collection for single family residence
- Limit: two 1-gallon bags per recycle cart or dumpster for multifamily residence
- Place unbroken bulbs in a sealed clear bag in a small box
- Place next to your garbage cart on collection day after receiving after receiving confirmation that pick-up has been scheduled
- CFLs and Household Batteries can be placed out on the same collection day (in separate bags) for a single charge of $5.00
- Must be foam blocks or forms.
- No foam packing peanuts or overly large pieces of foam blocks
- Limit: Two 32-gallon bags or smaller per collection for single family residence
- Limit: Two 32-gallon bags or smaller per recycle cart or dumpster for multifamily residence
- Place in a clear or white plastic bag
- Tie bag and weigh down to prevent movement
- Label 'foam blocks'
- Place next to your garbage cart on collection day after receiving confirmation that pick-up has been scheduled
- Canisters must be empty of fuel
- Camp gas style canisters under 1lb in size each per collection day for single family residences
- Limit: 4 canisters under 1 lb in size each per recycle cart or dumpster for multifamily residence
- Place in small box next to your garbage cart on garbage collection day after receiving email confirmation that pick-up has been scheduled
- Limit: 2' x 2' x 2' box
- Limit: Contents of box may not weigh more than 60lbs.
- Single-family homes: Up to four small propane canisters, plus other items like a 1-gallon bag of household batteries or CFL bulbs, and several small electronics. Place next to your garbage cart on collection day after receiving confirmation that pick-up has been scheduled.
- Condos & Apartments: Place items outside on a flat, level surface (no stairs) and easily accessible from the street (no locked gates).
There is no need to request a special collection.
Instructions:
- Limit: two 1-gallon jugs of cooking or motor oils
- Place in sealed 1-gallon jugs
- Label with address
- Place next to recycle cart on your next recycle collection day.