Is getting rid of big trash items easy/inexpensive where you live?

Around here the large trash items cost $50 an hour for the city to pick up special and haul off. Usually if it's something still usable we put it out front for 24 hrs and see if the curb shoppers pick it up. If not then we call the city.
 

Where I live, the trash company picks up anything we put out, except electronics. We have to take them to the incinerator and drop them off, but there is no charge.
 
We have a "waste transfer station" and you need to buy a sticker for like $100 / year which allows you to use the facility. Then on top of that you pay by the bag for garbage. They charge extra for appliances. Probably $50 per appliance. They sort everything and ship the garbage elsewhere on a train.

Next town over has a "dump". Anyone can use it and they weigh your vehicle going in and again going out and charge by the pound. Vinny don't care what you just dropped off. People like to think it is run by organized crime. Guess which one is busier.
 
:(Is getting rid of big trash items easy/inexpensive where you live?

I have a big, clunky air conditioner, that last worked ten years ago, sitting in my shed. There's also a lot of other items that need a home in the dump. But calling the trash company, it'll cost me $50 to get the air conditioner picked up. It's hard to get rid of stuff. And one of those big bins cost an arm/leg. They won't take X or Y, but Z is ok, but it's gonna cost.

If it turns on you might get some cash for it. I got $50 for my 1970's Coppertone refrigerator with a broken compressor.
I was so sad. I got it when we were first married. I miss it. Nobody would fix it. #Sigh


Heres a link for PA. Info was good as of April 2025.
The pickup guys are not picky. They get paid. They dont care.
Besides that theyre required to cut the cord to disable it so it "cant be resold"


"FirstEnergy Pennsylvania customers in the Met Ed, Penelec and West Penn Power services areas can receive $50 by recycling a working refrigerator or room AC unit and $25 by recycling a working freezer."​


Appliance Recycling Program
 
Our dump takes AC units for a $15 fee. And refrigerators for $25. Other large items I will cut up or disassemble and put in a 55 gallon bag. Clean scrap metal is free to dispose. In addition, there is a place nearby for scrap building materials and demo refuse at about $30 a trailer full.
 
Is getting rid of big trash items easy/inexpensive where you live?

I have a big, clunky air conditioner, that last worked ten years ago, sitting in my shed. There's also a lot of other items that need a home in the dump. But calling the trash company, it'll cost me $50 to get the air conditioner picked up. It's hard to get rid of stuff. And one of those big bins cost an arm/leg. They won't take X or Y, but Z is ok, but it's gonna cost.
lt's part of th regular trash pickup so doesn't cost extra but it is for only once a month and you must schedule it. And don't leave the item out except for the day of pickup.
 
It's pretty easy in my area. There are days set aside just for that. However it's terrible that people from the suburbs just use the city as their own personal dumping grounds.
 


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