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Move-out junk removal in Allston and Brighton, MA

A pile of discarded furniture, a futon frame and a mini fridge at the curb in front of an Allston triple-decker

Why Allston Christmas became a problem

The nickname "Allston Christmas" comes from the heap of furniture on the sidewalk every September. WGBH's 2026 reporting says it is no longer just an Allston habit, and that Boston cites excessive set-outs. Furniture is legal with regular trash on your day; mattresses must be scheduled.

If a roommate's futon and your four chairs all go out on the same night, a citation lands on the address. Put trash out over several weeks, not all on your last day, and do not block the sidewalk.

Doing the move in the right order

First, book the mattress appointment for each bed (up to 10 per calendar year, buildings of six units or fewer). Second, take working furniture to donation: the Goodwill at 965 Commonwealth Ave is open daily, and the ReStore takes gently used furniture but not mattresses, box springs or futons. Third, put the small stuff in barrels or 2-ply bags for the next trash day.

Whatever is left on the final day is the pickup job. A twin mattress is $89, a bed frame $109, a desk $59 to $109 depending on size; the $159 minimum covers a small cleanout.

Trucks, stairs and the landlord's walkthrough

With many leases ending the same day, ask the landlord when the unit is checked and book a window before it. Tell us the floor and whether the stairs are interior or on a rear porch. Larger brick apartment buildings may have an elevator to book; wood triple-deckers have narrow rear stairs where a box spring or sleeper sofa may not turn a landing.

A moving truck on a DCR-owned street needs a state permit; city-owned streets use the City of Boston moving-truck permit. Both are separate from your resident parking sticker, which does not reserve space.

The Allston move-out order of operations

  1. Book the mattress pickup

    boston.gov/mattress, six units or fewer; cancel before noon the day before if plans change.

  2. Donate what still works

    Goodwill, 965 Commonwealth Ave, 617-254-0112; call before bringing furniture.

  3. Check who owns your street

    City or DCR decides which moving-truck permit applies.

  4. Stage by stairwell

    Move bulky pieces to the ground floor entry, not the public sidewalk.

  5. Text the leftovers

    We price by the item and arrive in a window you choose.

Local resources in Allston-Brighton

Donation, reuse and recycling options near the pickup. We are not affiliated with these; confirm hours and what they accept before you go.

Quick answers

What is Allston Christmas?

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The informal name for the heap of discarded furniture at Allston curbs around September 1. Boston cites excessive piles, per WGBH.

Will JUNKRUN come on September 1?

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Yes, when the schedule allows; book the last week of August, since turnover week fills quickly.

What is the minimum price?

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$159 per pickup. A queen mattress is $109 and a box spring $79, so a bed alone clears it.

Sources

Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Allston-Brighton before you go.

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