By Gabriel Torres, Discard Junk Removal
Getting rid of old carpet in Sacramento, at a glance
STRAIGHT ANSWERS IN 10 SECONDS
- It can be recycled
- California’s carpet program, run by CARE, supports drop-off sites that recycle carpet instead of burying it, as long as it’s prepared the way they ask.
- Keep it dry and rolled
- Roll it, keep it dry and don’t leave rolls outside overnight. Carpet that isn’t prepared right may be charged as regular mixed waste.
- What won’t recycle
- Area rugs smaller than 11 by 15 feet aren’t covered, and carpet damaged by water, smoke or fire can’t be recycled. That goes to the landfill.
- If you’d rather not haul it
- We carry out whole rooms of carpet and pad, priced by how much room it takes in the truck. Tile or stone flooring is priced by weight, free quote. You pay after the job, fuel is included, no travel surcharges.
- How fast
- Same-day pickup is often available, and we’re open 24 hours, 7 days a week. An early call gives you the best shot.
- Reviews
- ★ on Google across 506+ reviews.
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Pulling up old carpet is satisfying. Getting rid of it afterward is not. A single bedroom of carpet and pad fills the back of a pickup, weighs more than you’d expect, and won’t fit in your garbage cart. California runs a carpet recycling program that makes some of it recyclable, but only if you prepare it the right way. Here’s how carpet disposal works in the Sacramento area in 2026.
The short version: small amounts can go out with a bulky pickup. Whole rooms should be rolled, kept dry and taken to a drop-off site that recycles carpet, or picked up by a hauler. Wet, moldy or smoke-damaged carpet can’t be recycled, so it goes to the landfill either way.
California’s carpet recycling program
California passed a carpet stewardship law in 2010, and the program is run by a nonprofit called Carpet America Recovery Effort, or CARE. It supports a network of drop-off sites around the state where carpet is collected for recycling instead of being buried. According to CARE, more than 350 million pounds of carpet go into California landfills every year, and recycled carpet can be turned into new carpet, carpet pad, insulation and even traffic signs.
Two limits matter before you load anything:
- Area rugs smaller than 11 by 15 feet aren’t covered by the program and aren’t accepted as recyclable carpet.
- Carpet damaged by water, smoke or fire can’t be recycled. After a leak or a flood, it’s landfill material.
How to prepare carpet for recycling
CARE’s instructions are simple, and drop-off sites follow them closely. Carpet that isn’t prepared may be charged as regular mixed waste.
- Keep it dry. Don’t leave rolls outside overnight before a drop-off.
- Keep it clean. Pull the tack strips, nails and staples, and shake out trash and dirt.
- Cut it into manageable sections. Strips about three feet wide roll tight and are easy to carry.
- Separate the carpet from the pad. Roll the carpet; roll, stack or fold the pad.
- Stack carpet tiles rather than bagging them.
A utility knife with fresh blades and a pair of work gloves make the job much faster. Cut from the back side, where the backing is easier to score.
Where to take carpet in the Sacramento area
These facilities are listed on CARE’s California drop-off map as taking carpet directly from the public. Each charges a tip fee, usually by weight with a minimum charge, and some give a lower rate for carpet that’s prepared for recycling. Hours, fees and accepted types change, so confirm before you drive over.
| Facility | Area | Notes from the CARE listing |
|---|---|---|
| GreenWaste Florin Perkins | South Sacramento, Florin Perkins Road | Residential carpet and foam carpet padding |
| Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station | Fruitridge Road | All carpet types |
| North Area Recovery Station | North Highlands, Roseville Road | Accepts carpet from the public |
| L and D Landfill | Fruitridge Road | Separate rate for non-commercial customers |
| Western Placer Waste Management Authority | Lincoln, Athens Avenue | Same category as mixed construction debris |
| Yolo County Central Landfill | Near Woodland, County Road 28H | All types; flat fees by vehicle size |
Bring the carpet and the pad in separate piles, and expect to unload it yourself.
City of Sacramento residents: bulky pickup
Carpet is on the accepted list for the City of Sacramento’s free Household Junk Pickup. Each residential customer gets two appointments a year, from February through October. The whole pile, carpet included, has to fit within 4 by 4 by 9 feet and be on the street by 6:00 a.m. That’s enough for a small room’s worth of rolled carpet, but usually not a whole house. The full rules are in our guide to City of Sacramento junk pickup.
Other cities and the county have their own bulky pickup rules. Check with your hauler before setting carpet out, and keep it covered if rain is in the forecast.
Having it hauled away
If the carpet is still on the floor, you don’t have a truck, or it’s part of a bigger remodel, a crew can take it from wherever it sits. We load rolled carpet, pad, tack strip and the rest of the flooring debris, and price it by how much space it takes in the truck: a small load starts at $74, a standard pickup at $149 and a full truck at $749. Tile and stone are heavy, so they’re priced by weight, with a free quote from a photo. Hardwood is heavier for its size too, so send a photo of that as well. See construction debris removal for more on remodel leftovers.
Some recent carpet and flooring jobs from our records, labeled with the customer’s city:
- Sacramento, September: carpet, cardboard boxes and baby gear, about a quarter of a truck.
- Sacramento, August: 4-by-4 lumber, a kiddie pool and carpet, about three-quarters of a truck.
- Lincoln, July: a TV, boxes and lightweight carpet.
- Pollock Pines, July: wood flooring, carpet, household trash and a glass table.
- El Dorado Hills, May: tile and foam from old carpet padding.
“Highly recommend Discard. They responded same day. They were quick, friendly and very professional. I had 1400 sq ft of old laminate flooring which was a considerable amt. It was loaded quickly and the area was left spotless. Very reasonable rate also.”
Jan W., Google review
Comparing your options
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Small scraps in the trash | Included in your service | Offcuts and a few square feet |
| City bulky pickup | Free, twice a year | A small room’s worth, rolled, at the street |
| CARE drop-off site | Tip fee, often reduced for prepared carpet | Whole rooms if you have a truck |
| Junk removal crew | From $74 | Whole houses, remodel debris, or no truck |
After a leak or a flood
Wet carpet is a different job. It can’t be recycled, it’s far heavier than dry carpet, and the longer it stays down, the more likely mold starts in the pad and subfloor. Get it out quickly so the drying can start: cut it into strips that are small enough to lift, roll it wet side in, and keep it away from anything you plan to donate or keep. If your insurance company is involved, take photos of the carpet and the damage before anything leaves the house. Wet carpet and pad go to the landfill as regular debris, and because of the weight, a room of soaked carpet is usually priced from a photo rather than by the truck space alone.
Tips if you’re pulling it up yourself
- Start in a corner with pliers, pull the carpet off the tack strip, and work along the wall.
- Roll as you go. Cut a three-foot strip, roll it tight and tape it before moving to the next strip.
- Watch the tack strips. The nails point up. Pry them out with a flat bar and keep them in a bucket, not loose in the pile.
- Old pad crumbles. Pad from the 1970s and 1980s can be dusty; wear a mask and bag it.
- Check before you pull. In older homes, if the flooring under the carpet may contain asbestos, have it tested first. We don’t take anything flagged for asbestos.
Frequently asked questions
Not a room’s worth. It won’t fit, and carpet is heavy enough to overload a cart. Small scraps can go in the trash, but full rooms of carpet and pad should go to a drop-off site, a bulky pickup or a hauler.
Several local facilities take carpet from the public as part of California’s carpet recycling program, including GreenWaste Florin Perkins, the Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station on Fruitridge Road, the North Area Recovery Station and L and D Landfill. Fees apply, so check hours, fees and accepted carpet types before you go.
Yes. It has to be dry and free of tack strips, nails and trash, cut into manageable sections, rolled, and separated from the pad. Wet, moldy, smoke- or fire-damaged carpet can’t be recycled.
Not through the state carpet program. Rugs smaller than 11 by 15 feet aren’t covered, so they usually go out as regular bulky items or with a hauler.
Yes. Carpet is on the accepted list for the free Household Junk Pickup, within the 4 by 4 by 9 foot pile limit. Roll it and keep it with the rest of the pile at the street.
We price carpet by how much space it takes in the truck, like most things we haul. A small load starts at $74 and a standard pickup at $149. Tile and stone flooring are priced by weight, with a free quote from a photo.
Ready to get the old carpet out of the house? Call Discard Junk Removal at (916) 866-1152, or see construction debris removal and everything we haul. We answer 24/7.
