An old mower in the shed, a seized trimmer, a drill with a dead battery pack. Garden and workshop gear piles up, and each piece has its own rules. Gas mowers carry fuel and oil. Battery tools carry lithium ion packs. Corded tools are mostly metal and electronics. This guide covers where each type can go in Metro Vancouver and how to prepare it.
For the fuel, oil and battery parts, a facility is the place to go. Trash King does not take those items in a bin.
Gas powered mowers and trimmers
A gas mower is mostly scrap metal, but the fluids have to come out first. The Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC) explains that outdoor power equipment that relies on a fuel powered engine is not covered by the provincial program for electric equipment. Some scrap metal sites or private recycling companies may accept them at their discretion. If the equipment has gasoline or oil inside, these must be drained before drop off. Gasoline goes in a ULC approved container, such as a jerry can. Leftover gasoline can then go to a designated recycling depot, and leftover oil can be taken to a designated recycling location for free.
The City of Vancouver's Zero Waste Centre, at 8588 Yukon Street, lists lawnmowers as accepted, whether electric, battery or gas powered. Its instruction is to remove the battery and drain the gasoline and oil before recycling. Check the City's page for current details.
Fuel and oil never go in a Trash King bin.
Electric and battery powered equipment
The RCBC says electric outdoor power equipment is included in a provincial recycling program managed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute of Canada (OPEIC). The program covers electric lawn mowers, trimmers, tillers, chain saws and other equipment. Items are accepted at no charge at a number of depots across the province. RCBC points to the OPEIC Depot Locator, the RCBC Recycling Hotline and the Recyclepedia to find the nearest one.
Metro Vancouver's United Boulevard centre lists appliances, power tools and electric outdoor power equipment as accepted, with examples such as drills, sanders, heat guns and outdoor power equipment. The page notes that large appliances are accepted as scrap metal.
Battery packs
Lithium ion batteries need extra care. Metro Vancouver says lithium ion batteries cause most battery related fires at its recycling and waste facilities, and asks you not to put them in the garbage or blue bin. It accepts all batteries free of charge at its recycling and waste centres and asks you to speak to staff to confirm where to place them. Take the battery pack out of the tool if you can, and keep the pack and tool together for the drop off.
Power tools
Power tools are electronics and metal, so they go to a recycling facility. The City of Vancouver lists electronics, small appliances and power tools at the Zero Waste Centre, with a maximum of 5 large items. Its pop up recycling events also list power tools as accepted, though pop up events do not take lawnmowers. Metro Vancouver's United Boulevard page lists power tools too.
Before you recycle a tool, think about whether it could be repaired or reused. The City's pop up page names the Vancouver Tool Library and Repair Cafe SPEC as non profit options for repair and reuse.
A simple sorting guide
| Item | What to do first | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas mower or trimmer | Drain gasoline and oil, remove the battery if it has one | Zero Waste Centre or a scrap metal site that accepts it |
| Electric mower or trimmer | Unplug and keep the cord | OPEIC depot or a Metro Vancouver centre |
| Battery tool | Remove the battery pack | Tool and battery to a facility that accepts both |
| Corded power tool | Nothing special | Metro Vancouver centre or Zero Waste Centre |
Fuel and oil
Do not pour fuel or oil on the ground or down a drain. Use a ULC approved container for gasoline. Used oil has its own take back program in BC, run by Interchange Recycling (formerly BC Used Oil). Burnaby's Eco-Centre page lists used motor oil, filters and containers, and names Interchange as a partner. Take both to a designated depot, and check the depot's page first.
What about the shed full of other stuff
If your garage or shed cleanout includes more than a mower, such as rusty shelving, broken furniture and a pile of mixed junk, a bin saves trips. Trash King brings the bin to you and hauls it away. The loading is up to you.
Begin with the 20-yard for junk, cleanouts and renos, since it is the common starting size. A 15-yard junk bin is at times available but is commonly sold out, so plan around the 20-yard. Ask us about other smaller sizes when you book. Find the details on the 20-yard bin page.
Gas, oil, batteries and electronics stay out. Trash King bins never take paint, propane, tires, fuel or electronics. Our what not to put in a bin page has the full list. Leave clean wood, drywall, concrete and dirt in their own separate bins.
Permits depend on where the bin sits. No permit is needed for a bin on private property, like your driveway or yard. If the bin has to sit on the street, boulevard or lane, some cities need a permit, so confirm with your City first. Your strata or HOA can still set rules of its own. If yours does, apply with the City, and we set delivery for any permit dates.
Add a mattress or box spring to the load as an add on for an extra fee, and let us know when you book.
Scrap metal can go to a metal recycler, and our metal recycling page covers that side. See the electronics page for where electronics go.
FAQ
Can I put a lawn mower in a bin? Fuel, oil and batteries never go in a Trash King bin. Take the mower to a facility that accepts it.
Do I need to drain a gas mower? Yes. RCBC says gasoline and oil must be drained before drop off, and the City of Vancouver says the same for its Zero Waste Centre.
Is there a program for electric mowers? RCBC says electric outdoor power equipment is included in a provincial program managed by OPEIC.
Where do I take a drill battery? Metro Vancouver accepts all batteries free at its recycling and waste centres. Ask staff where to place them.
Do pop up recycling events take mowers? No. The City of Vancouver says lawnmowers are not accepted, though power tools are.