Hauler loading curbside junk into pickup truck in a neighborhood

Bulk Junk Removal in Des Moines, Iowa

Starting at $79. Additional items from $19.

When you have a pile of mixed junk — from a garage cleanout, move-out, renovation, or just years of accumulation — your options are: city bulk pickup (free but limited), renting a dumpster ($250–500 for 3–7 days), self-hauling multiple loads to the dump ($30–80 per trip), curbside pickup through Dropcurb ($79+ depending on items, same day), or hiring a traditional junk removal crew ($200–800+).

Same-day pickup available — book by 12pm for today's window

948+

Cities Covered

39

States Served

Same-Day

Pickup Available

$50

No-Show Guarantee

How junk removal works in Des Moines

1

Curb it

Place your junk at the curb, driveway, or alley. No wrapping, no disassembly.

2

Book it

Select your item, see the exact price ($79), and pick your day. 60 seconds.

3

Gone

A local insured hauler picks it up same-day in Des Moines. You get a text when it's done.

No strangers in your home. No scheduling a 4-hour window. No being home.

How much does junk removal cost in Des Moines?

Bulk junk removal through Dropcurb starts at $79 for the first item, with additional items from +$19 (small) to +$59 (heavy). A typical garage cleanout with 5–8 items runs $150–250. Traditional junk removal companies charge $200–$800+ based on truck volume — meaning you pay for space even if your items are light. Dumpster rentals cost $250–500 but you do all the loading yourself. City bulk pickup is free but won't take everything.

$79

Flat rate · No hidden fees · Price guaranteed

Pickup fee$79
First junkIncluded
Each additional junk+$29
Book junk pickup — $79

✓ Price guaranteed before you book. No surprises, no hidden fees.

Traditional junk removal (1-800-GOT-JUNK, LoadUp): $150–$600+

5 ways to get rid of junk in Des Moines

Compared by cost, speed, and effort — pick the right option for your situation.

MethodCostSpeedEffortBest for
City bulk pickupFree2–9 weeksSchedule ahead. Strict limits on number of items (typically 4–8 per pickup). No construction debris. Items must meet size and weight limits.You have a few items that meet your city's restrictions and can wait weeks
Rent a dumpster$250–5001–3 days deliveryDumpster sits in your driveway for 3–7 days. You load everything yourself. Overage fees if you exceed the weight limit.You have a large volume of junk and don't mind loading a dumpster over several days
Self-haul to dump$30–80 per tripSame dayNeed a truck. Multiple trips for large cleanouts. Loading, driving, unloading, and paying per trip adds up fast.You have a truck and a small amount of junk — one trip's worth
Traditional junk removal (1-800-GOT-JUNK, etc.)$200–800+2–3 daysMust be home for in-person estimate. Crew enters your home. Pricing based on truck volume — can be unpredictable.Junk is inside the house and you need someone to carry everything out
DropcurbFrom $79Same dayPile everything at the curb. Select items in the app to see your exact price. Hauler picks up same day. No minimum or maximum.You want it all gone today — priced per item, not per truck load

How to prepare your junk for pickup

  • Stack or pile items neatly at the curb. Use bags or boxes for small loose items. Keep the pile accessible from the street.
  • ✓ Place at curb, driveway, or alley
  • ✓ No need to be home

When do you need junk removal in Des Moines?

  • Garage cleanout with mixed junk
  • Post-move leftover boxes and packing materials
  • Yard debris mixed with household junk
  • Storage unit cleanout

Does Des Moines pick up bulk junk?

Junk removal in Des Moines, IA starts at $79 with Dropcurb — same-day curbside pickup with instant online pricing. The city requires pink $5 Large Item stickers for bulky items (appliances need 7 stickers = $35). Metro Waste Authority handles transfer stations for self-haul disposal. Average Des Moines junk removal costs $50-$750 depending on load size.

City program details: City of Des Moines Large Item Pickup — buy pink $5 Large Item stickers (7 stickers = $35 for appliances). Call (515) 283-4950 to schedule. Also: monthly SCRUB cleanup events (March-November) for free large item drop-off.

Des Moines requires pink $5 Large Item stickers for curbside bulk pickup — call (515) 283-4950 to schedule. Appliances need 7 stickers ($35 total). Monthly SCRUB cleanup events (March-November) offer free large item drop-off for residents. Metro Waste Authority operates transfer stations for self-haul disposal. Junk Free Iowa (local, same-day) ranges $50-$750 depending on job size. Des Moines Property Preservation starts at $180 for full-service removal. DesMoinesJunk.com offers same-day service with free no-obligation estimates and no hidden fees. College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving serves Des Moines, Waukee, Ankeny, and Altoona with transparent volume-based pricing. LoadUp starts at $79/item. 1-800-GOT-JUNK charges $150-$600+ with mandatory on-site estimates.

Dropcurb picks up bulk junk same-day in Des Moines for $79 flat — no wait, no annual limits, no restrictions.

Buy pink stickers, call to schedule, then wait. Or just book Dropcurb.

Des Moines makes you buy $5 pink Large Item stickers at a retailer, attach them to each piece, then call (515) 283-4950 to schedule pickup. Appliances need 7 stickers — that's $35 before you even get on the phone. SCRUB events run March-November only, and 214,000 residents share the same drop-off days.

$5/sticker

per large item (7 = $35 for appliances)

March-Nov

SCRUB cleanup event season only

(515) 283-4950

call to schedule large item pickup

What happens to your junk after pickup

Bulk junk is sorted at the facility into recyclable, donatable, and disposable categories. Metals, wood, cardboard, and plastics are separated for recycling. Usable items (furniture, working electronics, household goods) are donated to local charities when possible. Construction debris like drywall, lumber, and concrete is processed at specialized construction & demolition recycling facilities. Items that can't be recycled or donated are disposed of at licensed solid waste facilities. Our haulers make every effort to minimize landfill waste.

Why Des Moines residents choose Dropcurb for junk removal

Des Moines makes you buy pink stickers ($5 each, 7 for appliances) and call to schedule. Dropcurb starts at $79 for same-day curbside pickup from East Village to Beaverdale — no stickers, no scheduling calls, no waiting for the next SCRUB event.

Serving East Village, Beaverdale, Sherman Hill, Highland Park, Ingersoll Park, Drake in Des Moines.

Bulk Junk removal questions in Des Moines

Bulk Junk Removal nearby

Same-day junk pickup near Des Moines.

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