Junk removal costs in Austin

Austin moved its bulk pickup to on-demand, so you pick the date. If Austin Resource Recovery serves your home, from a single-family house up to a fourplex, you can book up to three bulk collections a year through the Austin Recycles app, online or by calling 3-1-1. Nothing gets picked up without an appointment.

The same on-demand system covers household hazardous waste, picked up right from your home. Paint and thinner, cleaners, car fluids, pool chemicals, fluorescent bulbs and household batteries all qualify, again up to three times a year. There's a clothing and linens pickup too.

On the morning of a bulk pickup, everything goes to the curb by 5:30 a.m., split by type. Metal and rigid plastic go together, like appliances with the doors off and electronics. Carpet and nail-free lumber go in a second group. Car tires with the rims off make a third, eight at most. Old doors, pallets, rolled fencing and railroad ties cut in half are on the list. Tile, mirrors, sheet glass and remodeling debris aren't. Keep it all 5 feet from your carts, mailbox, fence, water meter and parked cars.

One quirk applies to every booking: you can't move it. You cancel it and book a new one.