You've got a pile of stuff you don't want to bring. Here's every reasonable place to send it, organized by how much effort you're willing to put in.
Free Pickup (They Come to You)
For furniture, appliances, and larger items, you don't need to haul anywhere. These services send a truck:
Schedule these early. Popular zip codes can run 2 to 3 weeks out, and you want the pickup date to be before move day, not after.
Drop-Off (You Take It There)
- Goodwill. Most common, accepts almost anything in sellable condition. Ask for a donation receipt for tax purposes.
- Local thrift shops.Often support specific causes (animal shelters, children's hospitals, etc.). Worth a quick Google for your town.
- Library book donations. Most public libraries accept books for their sales. Call first, some have category restrictions.
- Women's shelters and transitional housing. They usually have urgent need for professional clothes, basic household items, and toiletries. Call before showing up.
Sell It (Turn It Into Cash)
Give It Away Free (Fastest Route)
- Buy Nothing groups.Search Facebook for "Buy Nothing [your town]." Post a photo, a neighbor claims it, you set a pickup window. Often gone in hours.
- Freecycle.org , same idea, different audience, no Facebook required.
- Nextdoor. Free-stuff posts work here, especially for outdoor/garden items neighbors can walk over to grab.
- Curb alert.If it's legal in your town, put sturdy items on the curb with a "free" sign. Works shockingly well in most neighborhoods.
What About Tricky Categories?
- Electronics & batteries. Best Buy has a free in-store recycling program for most items. Staples and Home Depot also take specific categories. Never throw lithium batteries in regular trash.
- Paint. Sherwin-Williams and many local hardware stores accept unused paint. Check paintcare.org for drop-off sites.
- Mattresses.Most donation places won't take used ones (bedbug laws). Check your city for mattress recycling programs; many charge a small fee and turn them into carpet padding.
- Tires. Most tire shops accept old tires for a small recycling fee when you buy new ones. Never leave them on the curb.
- Hazardous materials.Old chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, cleaning supplies. Your county almost certainly has a hazmat drop-off day or a year-round site. Google "[your county] hazardous waste."
- Expired medications. Never flush, never trash. DEA-approved drop boxes are at most pharmacies and police stations.
- Musical instruments. Local schools often need donations for their music programs, especially string instruments.
Last Resort: Bulk Trash
Most cities in the DMV run monthly or quarterly bulk trash pickup , free or low-cost for residents. Check your city/county website to schedule. For stuff that genuinely has no value and nobody wants, this is cheaper than paying a junk hauler.
If you have enough to fill a truck and no time to coordinate, our junk disposal service takes care of it in one visit. Donation-first whenever we can.
Still need a plan for the stuff you are keeping? Pack Like You've Done This Before.