Indianapolis Heavy Trash Pickup: Schedule, Rules & Accepted Items

Getting rid of an old couch, mattress, or broken appliance doesn’t always require a trip to the landfill. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) provides heavy trash collection for eligible Indianapolis households that receive city trash service.

Eligible households can typically set out up to two heavy or bulky items per month on their designated heavy trash collection day. Knowing what the city accepts, how items should be prepared, and where to take anything that doesn’t qualify can save you time and frustration.

Heavy Trash Pickup in Marion County, Indianapolis

How Heavy Trash Pickup Works in Indianapolis

Heavy and bulky items are generally collected alongside your regular trash service on your designated heavy trash pickup day. Eligible households can place up to two heavy items out for collection each month. Standard heavy trash items usually do not require a separate pickup request.

To find your scheduled collection day, use the trash pickup address lookup on Indy.gov or contact Indianapolis DPW at 317-327-4000.

Heavy trash items should be placed at the regular collection point and ready for pickup by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.

Some items require special handling. Appliances containing Freon or other refrigerants, such as refrigerators, freezers, and certain air conditioners, should not be placed out as standard heavy trash. Contact the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622 for current disposal or pickup instructions.

Preparing Your Items for Pickup Day

Proper preparation can help prevent your heavy trash from being left behind.

Place Items Beside Your Trash Cart

Heavy items should be placed next to your regular trash cart rather than inside it.
Mattresses and box springs should be placed flat on the ground instead of leaning against a fence, wall, pole, or other structure.

Drain Lawnmowers Before Disposal

Lawnmowers may be accepted as heavy trash, but gasoline and oil should be completely drained before placing them curbside.

Watch Out for Common Heavy Trash Mistakes

Common problems include:

Putting out more than two heavy items during the monthly collection
Setting out appliances that contain refrigerants
Placing construction or demolition debris at the curb without checking city disposal requirements
Throwing away electronics that must be recycled under Indiana law
Putting items out in a way that makes them difficult or unsafe for collection crews to handle

What Items Are Accepted for Heavy Trash Pickup?

Common items that may qualify for Indianapolis heavy trash collection include:

Couches, chairs, tables, dressers, and other household furniture
Mattresses and box springs
Non-refrigerant appliances such as stoves, water heaters, and water softeners
Lawnmowers with the gasoline and oil removed
Disassembled bicycles
Disassembled swing sets
Bundled limbs and other large yard waste, with bundles generally no larger than approximately 3 feet by 3 feet

Each bundle of yard waste may count as one heavy trash item. Because collection requirements can change, residents should check Indy.gov before setting out unusual or especially large items.

What Items Should Not Go Out With Regular Heavy Trash?

Some materials require different disposal methods. These can include:

Refrigerators, freezers, and other appliances containing refrigerants
Televisions, computers, computer monitors, and other covered electronic waste
Household hazardous waste
Many types of construction and demolition debris
Large quantities of materials from remodeling or property cleanouts

Indiana law prohibits households from disposing of certain electronic devices with ordinary municipal waste. Televisions, computers, monitors, and similar electronics should be taken to an approved electronics recycling location instead.

Tire disposal rules can vary depending on the type of tire and whether it is mounted on a rim, so residents should check current Indianapolis requirements before putting tires out for collection.

Where to Take Extra Household and Heavy Trash

If you have more eligible household or heavy trash than your regular monthly collection allows, the Marion County Citizens’ Transfer Station may be another option.

The station is located at:

2324 S. Belmont Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46221

The transfer station typically accepts qualifying household and heavy trash on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Published city information has listed fees of approximately:

$2 per carload
$5 per SUV or pickup-truck load

Hours, fees, and accepted materials can change, so check Indy.gov before making the trip. Keep in mind that the Citizens’ Transfer Station does not accept every type of waste. Construction debris, hazardous materials, and certain other items may need to be taken to a different disposal or recycling facility.

A Better Option for Scrap Metal and Junk Vehicles

Indianapolis heavy trash pickup works well for furniture and other bulky household items, but it isn’t designed for large amounts of scrap metal or unwanted vehicles.

If you have old metal appliances, pipes, automotive parts, equipment, or other recyclable metals, taking them to a scrap metal recycler can often make more sense than sending them to a landfill.

The same applies to an unwanted vehicle. A damaged, non-running, or high-mileage car may still have value because its steel, aluminum, catalytic converter, wheels, and other components can be recycled or reused.

Garden City Iron & Metal serves Indianapolis and Central Indiana with scrap metal recycling and junk car buying services. Customers can sell qualifying scrap metal and unwanted vehicles for cash rather than simply throwing valuable recyclable material away.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is heavy trash pickup in Indianapolis?

Heavy trash collection generally takes place once a month for eligible Indianapolis households receiving city trash service. Your specific collection day depends on your address. Use the trash collection lookup on Indy.gov or contact Indianapolis DPW at 317-327-4000.

How do I request heavy trash pickup?

Most standard heavy trash items do not require a separate request. Place up to two qualifying heavy items at your regular collection point by your scheduled heavy trash day.

Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and other appliances containing refrigerants require special handling. Contact the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622 for current instructions.

What if I have more than two heavy trash items?

Extra qualifying household or heavy trash may be taken to the Citizens’ Transfer Station at 2324 S. Belmont Ave. Construction debris, hazardous waste, electronics, and certain other materials are not accepted there, so check current requirements before loading your vehicle.

Can I throw away a television with heavy trash?

Generally, no. Indiana law requires many types of electronic waste, including televisions, computers, and monitors, to be recycled rather than disposed of with ordinary household trash. Use an approved electronics recycling facility instead.

Can I get paid for scrap metal instead of throwing it away?

Yes. Many types of metal have recycling value. Garden City Iron & Metal buys qualifying scrap metal and junk vehicles and serves customers throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Recycling can be a good option for metal items that do not belong in the city’s heavy trash program.

Make the Most of Indianapolis Trash and Recycling Services

Indianapolis heavy trash collection gives eligible households a convenient way to dispose of bulky household items without arranging a separate trip to a landfill.

Before putting something at the curb, make sure it qualifies, prepare it properly, and confirm your designated collection day.

For items outside the city’s heavy trash program, especially scrap metal or unwanted vehicles, recycling may be the better option.

Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 for a free offer on your scrap metal or junk vehicle and turn unwanted metal into cash.

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