Portland Waste Disposal Guide
Find Your Forest City Waste Disposal Options
Our Portland dumpsters are great for nearly any waste disposal need, and we’re confident that our containers can help with your next big home cleanout or DIY construction project. But we also understand that if you’re only tossing a few bulky items, like a bed and some yard debris, a dumpster rental might not be the best option.
We’re still here to help. We’ve researched the options throughout Portland to compile this guide to bulky waste disposal.
Click a button below to find out your disposal options in Portland for the type of waste you’re throwing away.
Rent a Dumpster and Toss it All
Need to get rid of a little bit of everything? Our Portland residential dumpsters are your answer. Toss everything at once in our containers to help save you time on your project. Our range of dumpster sizes can fit any junk removal situation, from full home cleanouts to expansive landscaping projects. Simply give us a call and we’ll arrange delivery.
Certain materials may have fees or restrictions. We’ll talk through that with you when you call.
Call 207-307-2797 to rent a dumpster today.
Easy Portland Furniture Disposal Options
The day will come when your bedframe breaks or your dining room décor no longer fits your style. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of furniture disposal options in Portland.
Curbside Collection
Curbside bulk waste collection through the city of Portland is only available to households that receive weekly curbside service. You must apply for a Bulky Waste Permit to be assigned a collection date for your couches, dressers and other large pieces of furniture.
Restrictions to Note
- Bulky item collection is limited to 10 items per year.
- Each permit covers the collection of up to three items.
- Items weighing over 30 pounds are subject to a $40 fee.
Donation Options
If you don’t like the idea of a $40 fee to have your furniture collected, or you’ve already used your annual collection allowance, consider giving your items to a local charity.
General Donation Tips
- Reach out to ensure the organization accepts what you’re bringing.
- Ask if pickup options are available or if there are drop-off regulations.
- Check the charity’s condition requirements to ensure your furniture donation fits.
15 Saunders Way
Westbrook, ME 04098
207-210-5797
P.O. Box 10660
Portland, ME 04104
207-781-8550
Contract a Junk Removal Service
If curbside collection doesn’t work and you can’t get your furniture to a donation center, consider reaching out to a junk removal company. They’ll come and do the heavy lifting for you.
Keep in Mind:
- Most companies require you to sort items before pickup.
- Rates vary based on the item, so your final cost can quickly increase.
- You’ll need to invite strangers into your home to remove heavy and bulky furniture.
Sell Furniture in Decent Condition
If you’d like to make a bit of money, consider listing your furniture on an online marketplace or local consignment shop. Keep in mind that your items should be in decent condition, otherwise they probably won’t sell.
Safety Tip: Always ensure a friend or family member knows when you’re meeting with someone to sell your items. Consider asking them to accompany you or be nearby.
Cherished Possessions
64 Auburn Street
Portland, ME 04103
207-799-3990
Looking to toss a specific type of furniture? Check out our Furniture Disposal Guide.
Mattress Disposal Options in Portland
Due to their bulky nature, mattresses and box springs can be tough to get rid of. However, there are a number of options throughout the Forest City to dispose of your old mattresses.
Curbside Collection
Mattresses are considered bulk waste by the city of Portland. As a result, they are eligible for curbside collection if you receive weekly service from the city and have applies for a Bulky Waste Permit for collection.
Restrictions to Note
- Your permit only covers up to three items.
- Only 10 bulky items will be collected per year.
- Mattresses and box spring weighing over 30 pounds are subject to a $40 fee.
Contract a Junk Removal Service
If you’ve already used your yearly pickup allotment and only need to toss a single mattress or box spring, you might reach out to a junk removal service. The company will send people out to haul your items away, but keep in mind that you’ll need to have everything prepped and ready when the company arrives and they may charge based on the size of the mattress, not the total number of items. As a result, your costs could pile up quickly.
Donation Options
Generally, most donation centers don’t accept mattresses due to bedbugs. However, Furniture Friends is willing to accept your old mattresses and box springs and give them new life.
15 Saunders Way
Portland, ME 04098
207-210-5797
Appliance Disposal Made Simple
At some point, you’ll need to toss your old appliances. Portland has a number of ways to get the old ones out of your home to clear the way for what’s next, whether you’re upgrading your washer and dryer to fit your expanding family or replacing a broken oven.
Curbside Collection
Appliances are collected as part of the bulk waste pickup program offered by the city of Portland. However, "white" goods containing Freon, such as refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners, will not be collected. If curbside collection is the option that works for you, be sure to apply for a Bulky Waste Permit with the city.
Restrictions to Note
- All appliances are subject to a $40 fee.
- Only place items out on the day indicated by the city.
- Permits are good for up to three items and only 10 bulky items will be collected per year.
Recycling Possibilities
White goods are full of scrap metal, plastic and other materials that can be reused. If your appliance no longer works, but you don’t want it sent to a landfill, consider taking it to a local recycling facility.
910 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103
207-797-6200
Donation Options
Donating a gently used appliance that still works well is a great way to give back to the Portland community. Many donation centers are more than willing to accept your white goods and get them to a new home. Try connecting with one of the organizations below to see if they need the appliance you’re tossing.
General Donation Tips
- Call ahead to see if they will accept your specific appliances.
- Ask if you need to schedule a drop-off or if pickup is available.
- Make sure the appliance meets the organization’s condition requirements.
659 Warren Avenue
Portland, ME 04103
207-221-0047
555 Maine Mall Road
South Portland, ME 04106
207-553-2223
Contract a Junk Removal Service
If you have a couple appliances you’d like to get rid of at one time, consider hiring a junk removal team to haul them away at once. However, if you have a number of appliances to toss from a kitchen or laundry room remodel, consider renting a dumpster to toss all your junk and debris at the same time.
Keep in Mind:
- Appliances that haven’t had Freon removed may not be eligible for collection.
- Your exact junk removal price may not be determined until after the truck is fully loaded.
Sell Your Old Appliances
If your appliance still works and is free from most major defects, there’s a chance someone online may want to buy it. As an added bonus, you can most likely get a buyer to pick up the appliance, saving you the hassle of loading and unloading a heavy object.
Safety Tip: While online sales can be convenient, be sure to check the buyer’s profile for any red flags.
Getting rid of a specific appliance? Check out our Appliance Disposal Guide.
E-Waste Disposal Options
While electronic devices aren’t banned from being thrown in the trash, there are laws in Maine that require e-waste to be processed by specific consolidation centers. This additional step helps keep your devices out of the landfill and ensures the materials are reused or properly disposed of.
E-Waste Tip: Always protect your privacy and reset your devices to factory settings before getting rid of them.
Forest City Curbside Collection
The city will collect most electronic devices curbside, provided you’ve applied for a Bulky Waste Permit first. Printers are the only form of e-waste that is not accepted.
Restrictions to Note
- Permits apply for up to three items.
- Only 10 bulky items are permitted per year.
- Electronics over 30 pounds are subject to a $40 fee.
Electronics Recycling Options
There are a number of businesses and organizations throughout Portland that will accept your e-waste for recycling. Keep in mind that fees may apply for some devices.
P.O. Box 2517
South Portland, ME 04116
207-939-8233
Donation Options
Many organizations are more than happy to accept electronic devices that aren’t obsolete. If you have a computer, tablet or smartphone in good condition, consider one of these local donation options.
General Donation Tips
- Find out about drop-off and pickup options.
- Ensure your device has been reset to factory settings.
- Call ahead to see if they are accepting your device type.
39 Blueberry Road
Portland, ME 04102
207-699-5565
88 Preble Street
Portland, ME 04101
207-774-7818
Sell Your Devices
The market for secondhand electronic devices is alive and well. If you’re looking to make a bit of extra money, consider selling your devices after resetting them to factory settings.
Safety Tip: Always exercise caution when selling your devices to someone you don’t know. Ensure your safety by bringing a friend or family member with you.
Looking to get rid of a specific device? Check out our Electronics Disposal Guide.
Local Ways to Dispose of Yard Waste
There’s no way around it — yards create a lot of organic waste. Whether it’s weekly lawn trimmings or multi-colored leaves in autumn, you’ll need to find a way to get organic waste off your property. Keep reading to see some of the yard waste disposal options available in Portland.
Curbside Disposal
The city of Portland offers a limited curbside service to collect your lawn trimmings and leaves. From late October to mid-November, place your organic waste in biodegradable leaf bags next to your weekly garbage for collection. Visit the city’s website for exact timing on when the city will collect your yard waste.
Restrictions to Note
- No tree branches will be accepted.
- Bags must be curbside by 6:30 a.m.
Composting Options
Composting on your property is a great option if you have the space and only produce a minimal amount of yard waste. For larger amounts of organic waste, consider one of these facilities to help transform your green waste into mulch and other reusable materials.
352 Presumpscot Street
Portland, ME 04103
207-332-0277
Not sure what to do with a specific organic material? Check out our Yard Waste Disposal Guide.
Hazardous Waste Disposal Made Easy
Paints, pesticides, tires and other hazardous materials can endanger the environment if not properly disposed of. Luckily, Portland has a dedicated facility where you can take your hazardous waste for responsible disposal.
Riverside Recycling Facility
The Riverside Recycling Facility is open for hazardous waste on the first Saturday of the month from April to November. Please arrive between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Portland residents can make two visits per year to dispose of up to 10 gallons of household hazardous waste. This service is free of charge. Any additional visits or exceeding the gallon limit may result in a small fee. Call the facility at 207-797-6200 if you have any questions.
How to Dispose of Hazardous Waste
- Ensure your waste is in a sturdy, leak-proof container if the original container is not available.
- Label each material.
- Arrive at the facility (910 Riverside Street, Portland, ME 04103).
- Follow directions on where to park from the attendant.
- Wait while the staff removes your items.
Renting a dumpster? Visit our prohibited items page to learn which materials can’t go in the container.