Can the city just pick it up?

Sometimes, yes. If the city truck will take your stuff, you don't need a dumpster. Building materials are where it falls apart.

If you live in Dayton

Dayton does bulk pickup one Friday a month, and you have to book it ahead. Call 937-333-4800 or go online through Dayton Delivers.

You get five large items. You can also put out up to 25 small bags or boxes.

The truck takes furniture and carpet. Metal's fine. So are appliances, and that includes fridges and stoves.

There's some prep. Roll your carpet into bundles 4 feet long and 2 feet across, tie them with rope, and wrap any mattress or box spring before it goes out.

So what won't it take? Building materials. The city's list names concrete, rocks, brick, block, sand, gravel, drywall, wood and plaster, and for all of those it tells you to call a private hauler.

Gasoline and other hazardous stuff is out too. Auto parts are out. And don't bother with pianos, HVAC parts, air conditioners, spas, hot tubs or pool tables.

Cleaning up after an eviction, a move-out or a foreclosure? The city won't collect any of it. It says that's the property owner's job.

If you live in Moraine

Moraine does bulk trash every other Friday. Call 937-333-4800 by the Wednesday before your regular bulk day to get on the schedule.

If you live in Oakwood

Oakwood rents out its own 12-yard dumpsters to residents doing their own work. You get two business days, and a contractor's debris can't go in. The Oakwood page has the prices.

If you live in Clayton

Clayton makes every occupied home use Rumpke, the city's trash company, for curbside pickup. Rumpke handles bulk pickup and yard waste there. It rents dumpsters too. But the city's page doesn't say you can't rent from somebody else.

So which do you need?