Reuse and Recycle

Reuse and recycling drop-off events

Becoming a Zero Waste community means rethinking what we send to the landfill, and looking for alternative ways to reuse and recycle as much as possible.

Whether you’ve just cleaned out your closet or have a garage full of old, broken, or unwanted electronics, these items can likely be reused or recycled – instead of ending up in the landfill.

We, along with our partners, host reuse and recycling drop-off events to make it convenient for residents to dispose of items that can be reused or recycled.

Review guidelines for attending an event

What’s accepted for drop-off

The following items are accepted at each reuse and recycling drop-off event:

For reuse

​ Accessories (scarves, hats, gloves)

​ Bags, backpacks, and purses

​ Bath towels

 Bedding (sheets, pillow cases, blankets)

​ Bicycles in good condition

​ Books (soft and hardcover)

​ CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs

​ Clothing

​ Computers, laptops, and monitors

​ Curtains

​ Fabric shower curtains

​ Kitchen tea towels

​ Reusable shopping bags (Follow these steps to prepare bags for donation)

​ Shoes

​ Tablecloths and cloth napkins

​ Video game systems

For recycling

​ Cable and charging cables

 Clothing and textiles*

 Electric bike, scooter, skateboard, and hoverboard batteries

​ Electronics (TVs, CD and DVD players, VCRs)

​ Home theatre components

​ Household batteries

​ Household ink and toner cartridges

 Light bulbs

​ Light fixtures

​ Phones

​ Portable audio and video equipment

​ Power tools

 Razors and razorblades (all brands)

​ Small household appliances

​ Smoke and CO alarms

​ VHS tapes, CDs, floppy disks, cassette tapes

​ Writing instruments (pens, pencils, markers, and highlighters)

 Clothing and other textiles can be dropped off for both reuse and recycling as long as they are washed, dried, and tied in a bag. This includes items that can be worn again or are torn, ripped, full of holes, stained, worn-out or faded, missing buttons, with broken zippers, or singles of paired items. Depending on the type of item and its condition, it will be reused, repurposed, or recycled.

Clothing or textiles that are wet, mildewed, contaminated, infested with moths or bed bugs, or not in a bag will not be accepted.

What's not accepted for drop-off

The following items are currently not accepted at reuse and recycling drop-off events: 

 Car seats

 Carpet and rugs

 Construction materials, such as drywall and wood

Damaged bicycles

 Furniture and large or bulky items

 Hazardous waste

 Lawnmowers

Mattresses and box springs

Paper and magazines

 Pharmaceutical products

 Planter pots

 Plastic storage containers

 Propane tanks

 Sinks, toilets, and bathtubs

 Soft plastics

 Styrofoam

​ Suitcases

 Tires

 Toys

 Used oil

Learn how to recycle or dispose of these items

Attending a reuse and recycling event

When attending a drop-off event, follow these guidelines:

  • Do not visit if you are sick, caring for someone who is sick, or if you are self-isolating due to COVID-19. 
  • Pay attention to signs and ground markings at the entrance and exit and follow instructions given by on-site staff.
  • If you are carrying heavy items, lift carefully, and ask event staff for help if needed.
  • Wash your hands before and after your visit. Hand sanitizer is available on site.
  • Bring only “accepted” items that are sorted and bagged. Before you come to the event, pre-sort your items into the categories shown above. Unsorted and unacceptable items will not be collected. Items in their original packaging can stay in their original packaging.
  • Drop-off events are popular and can be very busy. Expect long lineups, be kind to one another, and wait for your turn.

Looking to repair or donate instead of recycle?

Before items are brought to a drop-off event, consider if they can be repaired or repurposed.

The following non-profit organizations provide options:

Vancouver Zero Waste Centre

Find information on managing large quantities of residential recyclables in Vancouver.

Share, reuse, and repair

Learn more about free swaps, repair cafes, and zero waste fairs.

Zero Waste Demonstration Site

We are exploring the transformation of our former recycling materials receiving yard into a zero waste demonstration hub.