How to get rid of a piano in Massachusetts

Checked November 2026 · by JUNKRUN, Melrose MA

Short answer. There is no state rule against disposing of a piano and none of the town programs we read lists one, so the question is who will take it and who will carry it. A piano in decent shape can sometimes be donated after an inspection; one that does not hold tune or has a cracked soundboard is demolition work. JunkRun takes pianos and prices them from a photo, with no stair fee; the $159 minimum is the floor for any job.

The Massachusetts rule

Pianos are not on the waste ban table in 310 CMR 19.017(3), but their parts are. A piano is mostly wood, with a cast-iron plate and steel strings. "Wood" (banned from landfills) and "Metal" (banned from disposal at landfills and combustion, with the same July 1, 2006 effective date) are both on the list, so the pieces of a broken-up piano should not go in the trash: wood and metal are recyclable materials.

Boston's special-collection page lists fridges, air conditioners and CRT items as special items, and tells residents to donate or hire a private hauler for items such as construction material and large exercise equipment. No pickup program we read lists pianos among accepted bulky items. Ask your DPW before assuming a bulky-item sticker covers one.

Free or cheap options

1. Donation after inspection. Some institutions accept pianos but check them first; Harvard's music department says it accepts piano donations, and requires that the piano be inspected prior to acceptance. Call a school music department, church, community center or a nonprofit and send a photo, the make, serial number and condition. Ask who pays for the move before you agree.
2. Sell or give away on a "you move" basis. List the make, age and condition, and say plainly that the buyer moves it.
3. ReStore is not a likely taker. Habitat's Greater Boston ReStore posts a long list of accepted furniture and household goods (see the list); pianos are not on it.
4. Piano movers. Specialist piano movers are a separate trade from general movers. Get written quotes; prices vary with stairs and distance.
5. Dump it yourself. Not realistic: Winchester's Transfer Station does not list pianos and does not accept large metal or plastic objects, and the cast-iron plate is not a load for a hatchback.

What the towns say (checked November 2026)

• Winchester
  Piano

  Not on the Transfer Station fee list; large metal or plastic objects are not accepted
  Source

  winchester.us
• Boston
  Piano

  Special items are fridges, air conditioners and CRT items; pianos not named. Not-listed items follow the Trash Day app directory
  Source

  boston.gov
• Waltham
  Piano

  Bulk item program covers items the trash truck can collect and crush, one per week; no piano entry
  Source

  city.waltham.ma.us
• Stoneham
  Piano

  Curbside bulk: carpets, upholstered and wood furniture; Stevens Street takes metals, electronics and white goods; no piano entry
  Source

  stoneham-ma.gov
• Medford
  Piano

  WM bulky item pickup, $15 per item, for items that will not fit the cart (furniture listed); no piano entry
  Source

  medfordma.org
• Peabody
  Piano

  Stickered items list appliances, electronics and metal items; no piano entry
  Source

  Peabody flyer
• Saugus
  Piano

  CHaRM Center does not accept furniture or construction debris
  Source

  Saugus CHaRM PDF
• Reading, Lynn, Malden
  Piano

  No piano rule published; call DPW (Malden 781-397-7160)
  Source

  Reading, Lynn, Malden

No town fee exists to tabulate. If your DPW says a bulky-item program takes a piano, get it in writing.

DIY or hauled?

DIY: not recommended. An upright piano is very heavy and top-heavy, and stairs are where people get hurt. If you must move one yourself, rent piano skids and a ramp and bring plenty of help.

Hauled: for a piano that is not worth saving, a junk crew can be a reasonable route when the path is clear. Confirm in advance that the company takes pianos, how many people it sends, and whether the price assumes breaking it down on site.

What JunkRun charges (checked November 2026 at junkrun.co/pricing)

Pianos are not on the posted price list, because an upright at the curb and a grand on a third floor are different jobs. Text a photo of the piano and the way out to (617) 545-0382 and JunkRun sends one flat price before the crew comes, with no stair fee. The $159 minimum pickup is the floor. A piano broken into pieces can also be priced by the load: $209 for a quarter trailer, $319 for a half.

Related

• What to do with old furniture
• Where to dump big items in Massachusetts
• Back to the hub