Garage cleanouts always turn up the same things. A kid's bike that is two sizes too small. A pair of skis from the last decade. A hockey bag nobody has opened since spring. Sports gear is bulky, it does not fit in a cart, and much of it still has life left. This guide covers where bikes, skis, snowboards and other gear can go in Metro Vancouver, and what to do when it is truly done.
Bikes
Donate a bike that still rides
Two Vancouver non profits take donated bikes, according to their own pages.
- The Bike Kitchen (UBC). It says donated bikes are assessed and refurbished for its programming or recycled, and that usable components go into its thrift shop. Drop a bike off during shop open hours, Monday to Saturday. If you have more than 10 bikes, you can ask about a pick up, and the page says a fee covers the van rental. Check the page for current details.
- Our Community Bikes. It accepts bicycles, parts, accessories and tools. Its page lists some bikes it cannot accept, including kid's bikes with 20 inch wheels or smaller (with exceptions during its annual kids bike drive), bikes with steel wheels, rusty bicycles and entry level dual suspension bikes. It also says a tax receipt may be provided for high value bikes assessed at $150 or more. Check the page for the complete list before you go.
Our Community Bikes suggests that bikes it cannot take can go to a municipal recycling centre, and names the City of Vancouver Zero Waste Centre and the Richmond Recycling Depot. It names a Surrey non profit, Rec For Kids, for kid's bikes.
Recycle a bike that is past saving
The City of Vancouver's Zero Waste Centre, at 8588 Yukon Street, lists bicycles and accessories as accepted for free residential drop off. Metro Vancouver's North Shore Recycling and Waste Centre says the condition of bicycles will be assessed and they will be recycled or donated appropriately, at no charge. Check the page for the centre you plan to visit.
The City's pop up recycling events take bicycles in good condition only. The City lists damaged bicycles as not accepted.
Bike parts and scrap metal
A frame with no future is mostly metal. If you are clearing a lot of metal, see our metal recycling page.
E-bike batteries
The battery on an e-bike is not a bike part you can bin. It follows separate rules. See our guide to e-bike and scooter battery recycling in Metro Vancouver for where the battery goes. Lithium ion batteries never go in a Trash King bin.
Skis and snowboards
Winter gear is easy to reuse if it is in decent shape. VASS (the Vancouver Adapted Snow Sports society) says on its page that North Shore Sports Swap, at 1433 Pemberton Avenue in North Vancouver, runs a donation program each year from October 15 to April 1. VASS is the benefactor. The page lists skis, bindings and boots, snowboards, bindings and boots, cross country skis, snowshoes, poles, goggles and ski and snowboard helmets, plus winter outerwear. Call the shop first at the number on that page, because accepted items and condition rules can change.
For skis and boards too worn to donate, the options narrow. Ask the shop where you buy or service your gear, or call a recycling facility, before you drop them off. If nothing takes them, skis and snowboards can go in a disposal bin with the rest of the load.
Other sports gear
The same North Shore Sports Swap list shows summer gear it takes from April 1 to October 15, including bikes and parts, golf equipment, baseball gear, inline skates, water sports gear, skateboards, field hockey and lacrosse equipment and backpacks. Check the page for current rules.
Other options for gear that still works:
- Offer it to a neighbour or a local community group.
- Check with local sports clubs that run swap days.
- Check the City of Vancouver's pop up event page for repair options such as Repair Cafe SPEC.
What does not fit anywhere
Some gear is too far gone. Cracked helmets, mouldy bags, broken plastic equipment and worn mats usually end up as garbage. That is where a bin helps.
Trash King brings the bin to you and takes it away. The loading is up to you. For junk, cleanouts and renos, the 20-yard is the common starting size. More is on the 20-yard bin page. A 15-yard junk bin is at times available, though it is commonly sold out, so plan around the 20-yard. Other smaller sizes? Ask when you book.
Gear is usually light but bulky, so a bin fills up on volume more than weight. Sports gear is rarely hazardous, but check each item. Pressurized items, fuel cans and batteries stay out. These never go in a Trash King bin: paint, propane, tires, fuel and electronics. You can see everything else on the list on our what not to put in a bin page.
On private property, like your driveway or yard, a bin takes no permit. Some cities ask for a permit when a bin sits on the street, boulevard or lane, so check with yours before delivery. Strata or HOA rules can still apply. If yours does, the permit application goes to the City, and we time delivery to any permit dates.
A mattress or box spring can go in as an add on for an added fee, so mention it when you book.
For a mixed garage cleanout, see our household garbage page.
A quick plan
- Sort gear into "works", "needs repair" and "done".
- Donate or swap the first group.
- Take the second group to a repair group or a bike shop.
- Send the third group to a recycling facility or the bin.
- Pull out e-bike and scooter batteries before you load anything.
FAQ
Where can I donate an old bike in Vancouver? The Bike Kitchen and Our Community Bikes both accept donated bikes, with conditions listed on their pages.
Can the Zero Waste Centre take bikes? Yes. The City lists bicycles and accessories as accepted. Check the City's page for current details.
What do I do with old skis? If they are in good shape, North Shore Sports Swap takes winter gear from October 15 to April 1, according to VASS. If not, ask the shop or call a recycling facility.
Can I put an e-bike battery in the bin? No. Lithium ion batteries never go in the bin.
What size bin for a garage of sports gear? The usual start for junk and cleanouts is the 20-yard. Ask about other sizes when you book.