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Basement cleanout in Melrose, MA

A steep narrow basement staircase in an older New England house with paint cans and a dehumidifier at the bottom

What the City Yard takes from a basement

At 72 Tremont St the yard accepts textiles, books, rechargeable batteries, string lights, eyeglasses, mercury-containing items and dried latex paint at no charge. It charges for fluorescent bulbs after the first four free ($1 each, $3 for tubes over 4 feet), tires ($4 each for car and light truck, $25 for heavy truck), propane tanks ($8, $20 or $50 by size), fire extinguishers ($20) and refrigerant tanks ($20).

A City Yard sticker is required, and you pay in cash in the exact amount or by check. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., plus Saturdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from April to December.

Paint, chemicals and the hazardous waste day

Latex paint is not hazardous in Melrose: let a small amount dry with the lid off and put it in the trash, or dry larger amounts with hardener or kitty litter at least two days ahead and bring them to the City Yard. Oil-based paint must go to a hazardous waste collection, though hardened oil-based paint can go in the trash.

The city's event also takes stains, paint strippers, solvents, fuels, antifreeze, brake fluid, pool chemicals, pesticides and drain cleaner. The 2026 Melrose day, October 17 at the high school lot, has passed and the city posts no later date. Residents can go to other towns' events, but non-residents may face limits there, so call that town first. Payment at Melrose's day was by check.

Cold, damp and steep stairs

Wet boxes tear on the way up, so double-bag loose material and keep boxes off the floor until the crew arrives. A dehumidifier or window air conditioner is a $30 DPW curbside item on Tuesdays, or $79 with JUNKRUN as a small appliance. We carry from any floor with no stair fee, and price loose basement debris by the load. Tell us if the stairs turn, if the ceiling is low or if a boxed-in pipe runs along the wall, so the crew plans where to stack things on the way up.

Sort a Melrose basement before the haul

  • Set aside paint cans: dry out latex, keep oil-based for the hazardous waste day.
  • Remove the doors from any refrigerator or freezer, as the DPW requires.
  • Put tires, propane tanks and fire extinguishers in their own pile, since the City Yard charges for each.
  • Box up textiles, books and rechargeable batteries for free drop-off at the City Yard.
  • Pull out wood furniture and rugs the Casella bulky list covers, if you prefer to book those separately.
  • Check the stairs and note any low ceiling, turn or boxed pipe for the crew.
  • Photograph the pile from the stairs, and text it for a price by the load.

Local resources in Melrose

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

Does the Melrose City Yard take paint?

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It takes dried latex paint free. Oil-based paint is hazardous waste and needs a collection day, and Melrose's 2026 day (October 17) has passed.

How much do Melrose tires cost to dispose of?

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$4 each for car and light truck tires at the City Yard, and $25 for a heavy-duty truck tire, on the city's August 2026 schedule.

What does JUNKRUN charge for a basement?

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By the load: quarter trailer $209, half $319, three-quarter $409, full $519. Appliances, mattresses and TVs are priced by item, with a $159 minimum.

Sources

Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Melrose before you go.

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