Storage rooms hold the things nobody wants to decide about. Boxes from the last move, a broken bike, paint that dried years ago. A cleanout is mostly a sorting job. Do it in the right order and the actual disposal is quick.
Before you start
If your storage is a locker in a condo or townhouse complex, read your strata's rules first. They may limit where large items can be put, when you can move things through shared hallways and elevators and whether you can use a bin on common property. Surrey's large item page tells apartment residents to contact their property manager or strata to schedule a pickup. Ask the same questions of your property manager.
Step 1: Pull out what never goes in a bin
Metro Vancouver bans paint, propane, solvents, batteries and electronics from disposal, and loads that contain hazardous materials can be surcharged. Look for these in the back corners of a storage room. Check our what not to put in a bin post for the list.
Step 2: Separate what can be reused or donated
Furniture, sports gear and boxes of clean household items may be worth a donation. Metro Vancouver Recycles, the region's database, can help you find where to take things.
Step 3: Deal with bulky items
Large item programs are one route. Burnaby's program lets apartments, condos and townhomes schedule up to six items per complex, and Surrey's lets apartment buildings with City recycling schedule up to four items per year, through the property manager. Richmond provides a collection service for up to six large items per year, including to multi family complexes with City garbage collection. Check your own city's page for the items it takes.
Metro Vancouver is firm on dumping. It defines abandoning household items on public or private property as illegal dumping, and gives "a mattress placed behind an apartment building" as an example. Do not leave things by the dumpster.
Step 4: The leftovers
What is left is mostly general junk. A bin lets you move it all in one go instead of many trips to a transfer station. A 20-yard is the common start for a full storage room, and we also have a 15-yard that is commonly sold out. We deliver, you fill the bin, and we haul it away when you are finished. Mattresses and box springs can go in as an add on for an added fee, which we mention when you book. See our residential services page and our 20-yard bin page, and our guide to garage cleanouts for a similar plan.
You do not need a permit for a bin on a driveway or private lot. Some cities need a permit for a bin on the street or lane, so confirm with your City before you book. If you live in a strata, ask your council before the bin comes.
FAQ
Can I use a bin at my condo? It depends on your strata and property manager. Ask before booking.
Who do I ask about large items in an apartment? Surrey's page says to contact the property manager or strata. Burnaby and Richmond list programs for multi family buildings.
What should never go in the bin? Paint, propane, solvents, batteries and electronics, among other items.
Can I leave a mattress by the dumpster? No. Metro Vancouver lists a mattress behind an apartment building as an example of illegal dumping.