A fresh year is a natural time to clear out. The trick is to start small, sort as you go and know where each item ends up. This checklist works room by room, and it points to the programs and places that take what you no longer need.
Before you start
- Pick one room or one zone per session.
- Make four piles: keep, donate, recycle and garbage.
- Check the rules for the recycle pile before you drive anywhere.
- Set a date for the donation drop off, so it does not sit in the car.
For the recycle pile, the City of Vancouver's Waste Wizard lets you search by item, and Metro Vancouver Recycles lists drop off options.
Entryway and closets
- Clothing and textiles: the City of Vancouver says they can be dropped off for reuse and recycling at its pop up events as long as they are washed, dried and tied in a bag. It says they are not accepted if they are wet, mildewed, contaminated, stained with oil and paint, or infested with moths or bed bugs.
- Shoes, bags, scarves, hats, gloves and towels are on the City's list of items accepted for reuse at pop up events.
- Suitcases are not accepted at the City's pop up events.
Kitchen
- Whole dishes and cookware in good shape can be donated.
- Broken dishes and ceramics do not go in glass recycling. Recycle BC lists drinking glasses, dishes, cookware and ceramic products as not accepted.
- Small appliances: the City lists small household appliances as accepted for recycling at pop up events.
- Expired or leftover food scraps go in the green bin where you have one. Plastic bags of any kind do not, according to the City.
Living room and home office
- Electronics, cables, phones, computer peripherals, power tools and household batteries are accepted for recycling at the City's pop up events. Other cities have their own programs, so check yours.
- Books are accepted for reuse at pop up events.
- Furniture and large items are not accepted at pop up events. The City says if large items like furniture are not reusable, take them to the Zero Waste Centre, transfer station or landfill (fees may apply).
Bedrooms
- Bedding and towels are accepted for reuse at pop up events.
- Mattresses and box springs are not accepted at the pop up events. If a mattress or box spring is part of the load, tell us when you book. It goes in as an add on for an added fee.
- Toys are not accepted at pop up events. Check donation options.
Bathroom
- Razors and razor blades are accepted at pop up events.
- Light bulbs and fixtures are accepted at pop up events.
Garage, basement and storage
These are often the biggest jobs. A Trash King bin never takes paint, propane, tires, fuel or electronics. The full list is on our what not to put in a bin page.
Do the sorting first. Take stock before you decide how much needs to leave.
Plan the disposal
If you have a few bags, your garbage cart may handle it, and your recycle and donation piles can go to the right places. If the room by room list adds up to furniture, boxes and a full garage, a bin saves trips.
You handle the loading. Trash King delivers the bin and takes it away. A 20-yard bin is the usual place to start for junk, cleanouts and renos. A 15-yard junk bin is at times available, though it 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.
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.
Our residential services page covers how bins work for home projects. For the two biggest rooms, see our garage cleanout guide and our basement cleanout guide.
A short checklist
- One room at a time
- Four piles
- Check what the program accepts
- Schedule donation drop offs
- Decide on garbage or a bin
FAQ
Where do I take clothing I am done with? The City of Vancouver's pop up events accept clothing that is washed, dried and tied in a bag. Check dates on the City's page.
Can furniture go to a pop up event? No. The City lists furniture and large or bulky items as not accepted.
What size bin should I order? The 20-yard is the common start for cleanouts. When booking, ask about other sizes.