The problem with large item disposal
Getting rid of a mattress, couch, or old appliance is one of those tasks that sounds simple until you actually try to do it. These items are too big for curbside trash pickup, too heavy for most people to load alone, and too awkward to fit in a standard car. In Prescott, your options are limited to self-hauling to the transfer station, using the city's bulk pickup program, or hiring a junk removal service.
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Disposal options by item type
Mattresses and box springs
Mattresses cannot go in curbside trash. Your options: haul it to the Sundog Ranch Transfer Station yourself ($20 minimum fee), schedule a city bulk pickup (one free per year, but items must be 50 lbs or less per piece, which mattresses often exceed), or hire a junk removal service ($75 to $125 per mattress). There is no mattress recycling facility in the Prescott area, so all mattresses go to the landfill. If the mattress is in decent condition, some local charities accept used mattresses, but options are limited.
Couches and large furniture
Couches in usable condition can be donated to Goodwill or sold on Facebook Marketplace and the Prescott AZ Community group. For couches that are stained, torn, or broken, the transfer station is the disposal option. Professional removal typically costs $75 to $150 for a single couch. If you are getting rid of multiple pieces of furniture at once, the per-item cost drops since you are filling the same truck.
Refrigerators and freezers
This is where disposal gets complicated. Refrigerators and freezers contain Freon (a refrigerant) that must be professionally removed before the unit can be disposed of. The Sundog Ranch Transfer Station will not accept any Freon-containing appliance without a CFC removal certificate. Professional junk removal services handle the Freon removal as part of the service, which is why refrigerator removal typically costs $125 to $200, more than other single-item pickups.
If the refrigerator still works, consider donating it. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts working appliances and offers free pickup. Some appliance retailers also offer haul-away of old units when delivering new ones.
Washers, dryers, and other appliances
Non-Freon appliances like washers, dryers, dishwashers, and stoves are simpler to dispose of. They can go to the transfer station at the standard rate, be donated if working, or be picked up by a junk removal service ($75 to $150 each). Some scrap metal buyers will pick up these appliances for free because of the metal value, though availability varies.
Comparing your options
| Method | Cost | Effort Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-haul to transfer station | $20 minimum | High (loading, driving, unloading) | Single items if you have a truck and help |
| City bulk pickup | Free (1 per year) | Low (curbside) | Items under 50 lbs, once annually |
| Professional junk removal | $75 to $200 per item | None (they do everything) | Heavy items, multiple items, no truck |
| Donation pickup | Free | Low | Items in good, usable condition |
One item or a whole house full, we haul it all. Call or text a photo for an instant free quote.
Call For a Free Quoteor text us a photo at (928) 351-1038
Frequently asked questions
No, mattresses are not accepted in regular curbside trash collection. You need to use the city's bulk pickup program, haul it to the transfer station, or hire a removal service.
The Freon must be professionally removed before disposal. A junk removal service handles this as part of the pickup. You cannot take a Freon-containing appliance to the transfer station without a CFC removal certificate.