Getting rid of household waste in Metro Vancouver is not as simple as putting everything in the blue bin. Furniture, appliances, renovation debris, old mattresses, electronics, and hazardous materials all have specific disposal rules — and getting it wrong can mean a fine, a rejected load at the transfer station, or debris sitting in your driveway for weeks.

This guide covers every legitimate option for disposing of household waste in Vancouver in 2026 — from the Metro Vancouver transfer station network to donation centres, municipal programs, and professional junk removal. Fees are updated to reflect the January 2, 2026 rate changes now in effect across all City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver facilities.
ly to avoid harm to the environment and avoid penalties for illegal dumping. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some options for where to take your junk for waste disposal in Metro Vancouver.

Metro Vancouver Recycling and Disposal Facilities

Metro Vancouver operates eight recycling and waste centres across the region, plus the Vancouver South Transfer Station and the Vancouver Landfill in Delta. These facilities accept a broad range of materials from both residential and commercial customers.

As of January 2, 2026, tipping fees have increased across all Metro Vancouver solid waste facilities. The generator levy — built into all tipping fees — has increased to $70 per tonne (from $67). Garbage tipping fees rose by $7 per tonne, yard trimmings and clean wood now cost $124 per tonne (up from $118), and construction and demolition processing residual waste increased to $194 per tonne. Costs are weight-based: your vehicle is weighed on entry and exit, and you pay for the difference.

Loads containing banned materials — including certain electronics, hazardous substances, and product stewardship items — are subject to an $80 surcharge plus remediation costs. Unsecured loads carry a 50% surcharge up to $50. Always sort your load before arriving to avoid paying the highest rate for the entire vehicle.

Vancouver South Transfer Station

Vancouver South Transfer Station

Address: 377 West Kent Ave North, Vancouver, BC V5X 2X1Hours: Check facility website — closed Statutory HolidaysFees (2026): Weight-based. Generator levy $70/tonne. Garbage from ~$161/tonne. Mattresses $20/unit.Notes: Accepts oversized items, yard/garden waste, clean wood. New 2026 rates in effect January 2. Enter from east — left turns not permitted from west.

Vancouver Landfill (Delta)

Vancouver Landfill

Address: 5400 72nd Street, Delta, BC V4K 3N3Hours: Check facility website — updated with live lineup cameraFees (2026): Same 2026 weight-based rates. Residential drywall $210/tonne. Compost $8/m³.Notes: Recycling drop-off for residential customers only. Accepts tires (max 10), propane tanks (max 4 disposable + 2 refillable), used oil (max 15L). Mattress drop-off limit reduced to 4 items/day from June 2025.

Metro Vancouver Regional Recycling and Waste Centres

The following eight facilities serve the broader Metro Vancouver region. Each has its own hours, accepted materials, and fee schedules — contact the facility or use the Metro Vancouver cost estimator before visiting.

Facility	Address
Maple Ridge	10092 236 Street, Maple Ridge, BC V2W 1B7
United Boulevard	995 United Boulevard, Coquitlam, BC V3K 4S8
North Shore	30 Riverside Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1T4
Central Surrey	6711 154 Street, Surrey, BC V3S 7C6
North Surrey	9770 192 Street, Surrey, BC V4N 4C6
Langley	1070 272 Street, Langley Township, BC V4W 2M7
Richmond Recycling Depot	Contact Metro Vancouver for address

Use the official Metro Vancouver cost estimator to calculate fees before visiting: Metro Vancouver Recycling and Disposal Cost Estimator

Vancouver Zero Waste Centre — Free Drop-Off for Many Items

One of the most underused disposal options in Vancouver is the Zero Waste Centre at 8588 Yukon Street. This facility accepts a wide range of materials for reuse and recycling at no charge to residents — making it the best first stop for items that would otherwise cost money to dispose of at the transfer station.

Accepted items include usable household goods, small appliances, electronics (through designated take-back programs), and certain building materials. This is separate from the Vancouver South Transfer Station and specifically designed for diversion from landfill — which means zero tipping fees for qualifying items.

Before hauling anything to a pay facility, check whether it qualifies for free drop-off at the Zero Waste Centre or through Metro Vancouver’s product take-back programs. Electronics, paint, batteries, and certain hazardous household materials have dedicated free drop-off programs that most residents never use.

Donate Usable Items — Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity

If your household items are still in usable condition, donation is the most responsible disposal option — and it costs nothing. Two organisations with strong Metro Vancouver networks accept furniture, appliances, and household goods:

Salvation Army Thrift Stores

The Salvation Army is a non-profit organization that accepts donations of furniture and other household items. The organization has several thrift stores in Vancouver where you can drop off your old furniture. The furniture will be sold to support the organization’s programs and services, such as providing shelter and meals to those in need. The Salvation Army also offers free pick-up services for large items, such as furniture, in certain areas of Vancouver.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds affordable housing for low-income families. The organization has several ReStore locations in Vancouver that accept donations of furniture and other household items. The furniture will be sold in the ReStore to support the organization’s programs and services. Habitat for Humanity also offers free pick-up services for large items, such as furniture, in certain areas of Vancouver.

Other donation options in the Metro Vancouver area include thrift stores operated by the SPCA, Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, and various community organisations. A quick search for donation pick-up services in your neighbourhood will typically surface multiple options for items in good condition.

How to Dispose of Specific Household Waste Items in Vancouver

Not all household waste is treated the same. The following categories have specific disposal rules in Metro Vancouver — taking these items to the wrong facility can result in a rejected load or a surcharge.

Furniture and Mattresses

Furniture can be dropped off at Metro Vancouver transfer stations at standard garbage rates. Mattresses are accepted at the Vancouver Landfill and Vancouver South Transfer Station at $20 per unit as of 2026 — up from $15 in 2025. The daily drop-off limit at the Vancouver Landfill was reduced to 4 mattresses per customer per day starting June 2025.

If your mattress is in usable condition, Furniture Bank and certain charitable organisations accept mattress donations. The Salvation Army does not accept used mattresses at most locations.

Appliances and Electronics

Large appliances — refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers — are accepted at Metro Vancouver transfer stations. Most contain refrigerants or oils that require special handling, which is reflected in the disposal fee. Electronics including computers, televisions, and monitors are subject to Extended Producer Responsibility programs and have designated free drop-off locations across Metro Vancouver through Recycle My Electronics.

Broken televisions and computer monitors are explicitly not accepted at the Vancouver South Transfer Station or Vancouver Landfill — they must go to a designated electronics drop-off. Taking them to the wrong facility triggers an $80 banned materials surcharge.

Renovation and Construction Debris

Renovation debris — drywall, lumber, concrete, tile, and mixed construction waste — falls under construction and demolition processing fees, which increased to $194 per tonne in 2026. Residential drywall specifically costs $210 per tonne at the Vancouver Landfill. Clean concrete and asphalt loads over 100 tonnes may be accepted at no charge at certain facilities for use in road upgrades — contact Metro Vancouver for details.

If you are dealing with renovation or demolition debris at scale, Rhino’s demolition and junk removal services handle full debris haul-away directly to licensed Metro Vancouver disposal facilities, including proper sorting to avoid C&D surcharges.

Hazardous Household Waste

Paints, solvents, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, propane tanks, and similar hazardous materials require special handling. Metro Vancouver operates Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off events throughout the year, and many products fall under provincial take-back programs. The Vancouver Landfill accepts propane tanks (maximum 4 disposable and 2 refillable) and used motor oil (maximum 15 litres) for free recycling.

Never put hazardous materials in regular garbage, recycling bins, or down the drain. Metro Vancouver’s Waste Wizard tool can identify the correct disposal route for almost any item.

Yard Waste and Green Material

Yard trimmings and clean wood are accepted at Metro Vancouver facilities at $124 per tonne as of 2026. Many Metro Vancouver municipalities also offer curbside yard waste collection — check your municipality’s collection schedule before hauling material to a transfer station. Mixed organics (including yard trimmings mixed with other waste) are charged at $143 per tonne and must be separated from clean yard waste to avoid the higher rate.

Professional Junk Removal Services in Vancouver

For homeowners doing a cleanout, renovation, or dealing with a large volume of household waste, professional junk removal is often the most time-efficient and cost-effective option — particularly when compared to the time, fuel, and multiple trips required to haul materials to Metro Vancouver facilities yourself.

A licensed junk removal company in Vancouver will come to your property, load everything, sort for donation and recycling, and properly dispose of the remainder at licensed facilities. This removes the risk of receiving a surcharge for mixed or banned loads, and eliminates the need to identify which items go where.

Rhino Demolition & Junk Removal provides residential and commercial junk removal services across Metro Vancouver — including Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, Surrey, Richmond, New Westminster, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam. We offer same-day and next-day service for most locations.

Items we regularly remove include furniture, appliances, mattresses, electronics, renovation debris, yard waste, and general household clutter. We sort everything — usable items are donated to local organisations, and all waste is disposed of at licensed Metro Vancouver facilities with proper documentation.

Related: What Rhino Takes — Full List of Accepted Items

Related: What Rhino Recycles — Our Recycling Commitment

What Happens If You Illegally Dump Waste in Vancouver

Illegal dumping — disposing of household waste on public or private property without authorisation — carries significant penalties in Metro Vancouver. Fines under the Metro Vancouver Solid Waste Bylaw can reach up to $10,000 per offence. Individual municipalities including the City of Vancouver have additional bylaws with their own penalty structures.

Illegal dumping is enforced through a combination of bylaw officers, surveillance cameras, and community reports. Metro Vancouver operates an online reporting tool for suspected illegal dumping incidents. In addition to fines, individuals found to have illegally dumped are typically required to remove the waste at their own cost.

The practical implication for homeowners is straightforward: the cost of a junk removal service or a trip to a transfer station is almost always less than the cost of a fine, the reputational risk, and the cleanup liability. There is no situation in Metro Vancouver where illegal dumping is a financially rational choice.

Frequently Asked Questions — Household Waste Disposal Vancouver

How do I dispose of household waste in Vancouver?

Homeowners in Vancouver can dispose of household waste at Metro Vancouver transfer stations and recycling centres (fees are weight-based and updated January 2026), the Vancouver Landfill in Delta, the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre (free for many items), donation centres like Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Salvation Army, or through a professional junk removal service. The best option depends on the type and volume of items.

What are the 2026 tipping fees at Metro Vancouver facilities?

As of January 2, 2026, the generator levy increased to $70 per tonne. Garbage tipping fees increased by $7 per tonne. Yard trimmings and clean wood are $124 per tonne. Construction and demolition processing residual waste is $194 per tonne. Mattresses are $20 per unit. Loads containing banned materials carry an $80 surcharge. All fees are weight-based.

Can I drop off furniture at the Vancouver transfer station?

Yes. Furniture is accepted at both the Vancouver South Transfer Station and the Vancouver Landfill at standard garbage tipping rates. You will be weighed on arrival and departure, and fees are calculated based on the weight of your load. If your furniture is in usable condition, consider donating it to the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity ReStore instead — both accept furniture donations and offer free pick-up for large items in some areas.

What items are not accepted at Vancouver transfer stations?

Items not accepted at the Vancouver South Transfer Station and Vancouver Landfill include broken televisions and computer monitors, antifreeze and empty antifreeze containers, and other materials under product stewardship programs. These items have designated free drop-off locations through Metro Vancouver’s extended producer responsibility programs. Taking banned materials to a transfer station triggers an $80 surcharge. Use Metro Vancouver’s Waste Wizard to confirm where specific items should go.

Is there a free waste disposal option in Vancouver?

Yes. The Vancouver Zero Waste Centre at 8588 Yukon Street accepts a wide range of materials for reuse and recycling at no charge. Many electronics, batteries, paints, and household chemicals are also accepted for free at designated product take-back locations. Donation centres including Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the Salvation Army accept usable items at no cost to the donor.

What is the fine for illegal dumping in Vancouver?

Fines for illegal dumping under Metro Vancouver bylaws can reach up to $10,000 per offence. Individual municipalities, including the City of Vancouver, have additional penalty provisions. Violators may also be required to cover the cost of waste removal and remediation. Metro Vancouver accepts community reports of illegal dumping through its online reporting tool.

How do I dispose of renovation debris in Vancouver?

Renovation debris including drywall, lumber, concrete, and tile is accepted at Metro Vancouver transfer stations as construction and demolition waste at $194 per tonne (2026 rate). Residential drywall at the Vancouver Landfill is $210 per tonne. For larger renovation projects, hiring a junk removal or demolition company to haul debris directly to a licensed facility is typically more cost-efficient than multiple self-haul trips.

Does Rhino pick up household waste across all of Metro Vancouver?

Yes. Rhino Demolition & Junk Removal provides junk removal and household waste pickup across Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, and Port Moody. Same-day and next-day availability is offered for most service areas. Contact Rhino for a free quote.

How do I dispose of a mattress in Vancouver?

Mattresses can be dropped off at the Vancouver Landfill and Vancouver South Transfer Station at $20 per unit (2026 rate). The daily drop-off limit at the Vancouver Landfill is 4 mattresses per customer per day. Delta residents can use the City of Delta’s Mattress Recycling Voucher Program for free recycling. Alternatively, Rhino Junk Removal can pick up and dispose of mattresses as part of a broader household cleanout.

What is the Vancouver Zero Waste Centre and what does it accept?

The Vancouver Zero Waste Centre at 8588 Yukon Street is a City of Vancouver facility that accepts a wide range of materials for reuse and recycling, many of which are free for residents to drop off. It is separate from the Vancouver South Transfer Station and is specifically designed to divert usable and recyclable materials from landfill. Check the City of Vancouver website for the current accepted materials list before visiting.