So you’ve found an apartment worth moving into that comes with all the necessary fixtures. Now, you just have to actually move. As you’re probably coming to realize, you can’t take everything with you (if you can, then kudos to you). I recently came to the unfortunate realization that my couch, however cushy and comfortable it may be, will not fit up my narrow, winding stairs.

It’s the curb for you, couch.

Unfortunately not everyone is able to pay for a moving company to dislodge a window frame, crane the bulky items up through it and put everything back together again. By my own solicitation of estimates and quotes, this can run you upwards of $200 per hour. But if you can swing this in your budget, then I’d suggest you do.

Now, the common practice for someone in my common predicament is to simply drag the furniture or other items out to the side of the street and set everything down alongside your trash and recycle for normal street pick up.

That, my friends, is what we in the biz call a ‘no-no.’

The City of Boston released an informative, albeit cheesy, animated video earlier this year detailing the simple steps one needs to take in order to have bulk items picked up. Because, as it turns out, you have to schedule a pick up; you can’t just throw your junk out with the rest.

Here’s what you do.

If you want to schedule a pick up online, head to the Mayor’s 24 Hour Constituent Service and click the ‘online’ service link. Then navigate your way to the ‘Garbage, Recycling & Graffiti’ tab and expand it. Under the “trash” subcategory, you can schedule a bulk pick up. Simply enter your email address and make your plan with the City of Boston. Then, once a time and date are slated, you can haul your stuff out to the curb.

What’s more, this service isn’t limited to just massive pieces of furniture. Televisions, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, televisions and more are welcome to be picked up as well, so you’re not pigeonholed trying to find how best do dispose of electric appliances that may or may not be allowed in a typical dumpster.

So there you have it, Boston. Stop barricading the sidewalks with busted bureaus, bookcases and beds. After all, as is mentioned in the video above, “when everyone participates, your neighborhood is cleaner and someone else’s job is a little bit easier.”

Happy moving, Boston.

Featured image via Shutterstock