Reuse and Recycle

Zero Waste reuse and recycling drop-off events

COVID-19 update: drop-off events have resumed with some important changes

August 2021: To comply with COVID-19 health guidelines and to ensure the health of those attending and working at these events, we are implementing additional safety measures. These include limiting the number of vehicles and attendees allowed on site at one time, restricting traffic flow, and requesting all participants maintain proper physical distancing. If you attend, you should expect lineups and some delays. 

When attending a drop off event, please 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. 
  • Wear a mask or face covering while at the event.  
  • Pay attention to signs and ground markings at the entrance and exit. Limit of 10 participants in the drop off area at one time. 
  • Wash your hands before and after your visit. Hand sanitizer is available on site.  
  • Maintain a 2 metre (6 feet) distance from staff and others at all times. 
  • Before you come to the event, pre-sort your items into the categories shown below. Unsorted items are not accepted. Plastic bags are available on site.

Material categories:

  • Electronics and small appliances
  • Light bulbs
  • Ink and toner cartridges 
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Computers, laptops, game systems
  • Sort and place the following items in plastic bags and tie shut:
    • Clothing and textiles
    • Shoes
    • Household batteries
    • Cell phones 

Bring only accepted items

To help minimize interactions between staff and attendees, bring only “accepted” items that are sorted and bagged. Staff on site will not sort materials or handle unacceptable items. Items in their original packaging can stay in their original packaging. See below for a list of accepted and unaccepted items.

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.

Vancouver Zero Waste Centre

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

What’s accepted for drop-off

The following items are accepted at each Zero Waste Reuse and Recycling Drop-off event.

For reuse

​ Accessories (scarves, hats, gloves)

​ Bags and purses

​ Bath towels

 Bedding (sheets, pillow cases, blankets)

​ Bicycles in good condition

​ Books (soft and hardcover)

​ Clothing

​​ Computers and monitors

​ Curtains

​ Fabric shower curtains

​​ Kitchen tea towels

​ Shoes

​ Tablecloths and cloth napkins

​ Video game systems

For recycling

​ Cable and charging cables

 Clothing*

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

​​ Home theatre components

​ Household batteries

 Light bulbs

​ Light fixtures

​ Phones

​ Pillows, cushions, and duvets

​​ Portable audio and video equipment

​ Small household appliances

​ Power tools

​ Smoke and CO alarms

​ VHS tapes, CDs, floppy disks, cassette tapes

 Clothing and other textiles can be dropped off for both reuse and recycling as long as they are washed and dry. 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 or infested with moths or bed bugs will not be accepted.

For a full list of accepted items, visit our event partners' websites:

Materials not accepted

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

 Car seats*

 Carpet and rugs

 Construction materials, such as drywall and wood

Damaged bicycles

Damaged suitcases

 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

 Car seats are no longer accepted for recycling at the City's free reuse and recycling drop-off events. They can be recycled, for a fee, at the following events and locations:

Car seats were accepted at the City's reuse and recycling drop-off events in 2018 as part of a trial period where the we collected data on car seat recycling.

A total of 540 car seats were recycled during the trial period. We will use all data collected during the trial to advocate for and support a car seat Extended Producer Responsibility program where manufacturers and retailers are responsible for the end of life management of car seats.

Looking to repair or donate instead of recycle?

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

The following non-profit organizations provide options: