Garage cleanout checklist: what to keep, recycle and haul away

A garage fills up one "I'll deal with it later" at a time, and clearing it in one go is a weekend job at least. This checklist breaks it into steps, with the items that need special handling in Metro Vancouver and the ones you can get rid of for free.

Before you start

• Pick a dry day and clear the driveway: everything comes out before it goes back in.
• Set up four zones: keep, sell or donate, recycle, and haul away.
• Get bins and bags, and gloves. Garages hide sharp edges and mouse droppings.

Step 1: Pull out the things that need special handling

Several common garage items are banned from garbage loads in Metro Vancouver because they're hazardous or have their own recycling programs (Metro Vancouver Disposal Ban Program Manual, checked 21 September 2026). Set these aside first:

• Paint, solvents, gasoline and pesticides
• Motor oil, oil filters and antifreeze
• Lead-acid (car) batteries
• Propane tanks
• Tires
• Electronics, including old power tools and chargers

Most of these have free return depots under BC's stewardship programs. Our guide to what you can't put in a dumpster in BC explains each one. We don't take paint, fuel, chemicals or full propane tanks, so these are yours to drop off.

Step 2: Sort everything else

Work across the garage in one direction, one shelf at a time. For each item: keep, sell or donate, recycle, or haul away. If you haven't used it since the last time you cleaned the garage, it probably goes.

Step 3: The free stuff

• Scrap metal: bikes, old barbecues, metal shelving, pipes. We pick up scrap metal for free.
• Appliances: an old fridge, freezer or washer goes free too. See how to get rid of an old fridge or freezer.
• Electronics: free drop-off at an EPRA BC depot; see where to recycle electronics.

Step 4: Haul away the rest

What's left is usually furniture, boxes, broken tools, old sports gear and yard equipment. You can make dump runs yourself, or book one haul-away.

Our garage cleanout is a flat $699 per garage: we haul everything out, separate the hazardous items for you to drop off, and sweep the floor so the space is usable again. Dump fees are included. See garage cleanouts.

Step 5: Put it back so it stays clear

• Shelving or wall hooks for anything you use monthly.
• Heavy things low, seasonal things high.
• A labelled bin for return-to-depot items, so paint and batteries don't pile up again.

Ready to clear the garage? Call 604-348-7640 or get a free quote.

Source: Metro Vancouver Disposal Ban Program Manual.