Junk Removal and Donation Guide During Your Ottawa Move

Here's the uncomfortable math: the average Ottawa household pays $50–100 per hour for movers. Every item you move that you don't actually want costs real money — in moving time, truck space, and packing supplies. A couch you're planning to replace at the new home? That's $30–50 in moving labour to transport something you'll put on the curb in three months.

The smarter approach: aggressively sort, donate, sell, and dispose before moving day. This guide covers exactly where to take (or have picked up) everything you're not keeping — with Ottawa-specific resources, addresses, and pickup options.

Less to move = lower cost. Get a free moving quote from UpMove — the less we move, the less you pay.

The Sort: What Goes Where

Before you start hauling things out, sort everything into five categories:

CategoryCriteriaDestinationKeepYou use it, need it, or love itMoving truckSellGood condition, market valueKijiji, Facebook Marketplace, garage saleDonateGood condition, no market valueCharities, shelters, community orgsRecycleElectronics, textiles, metals, paperCity of Ottawa recycling programsDisposeBroken, unsafe, or hazardousCity waste programs, junk removal

For a step-by-step sorting process room by room, see our decluttering before a move guide.

Where to Donate in Ottawa

Furniture and Household Goods

OrganizationWhat They AcceptPickup?ContactHabitat for Humanity ReStoreFurniture, appliances, building materials, home décorYes — freehabitatgo.com/restore / 613-749-9950Salvation ArmyClothing, furniture, small appliances, housewaresYes — freethriftstore.ca / 1-800-725-2769St. Vincent de PaulFurniture, clothing, household itemsLimitedCheck parish locationsDiabetes CanadaClothing and small household itemsYes — freediabetes.ca / 1-800-505-5525Ottawa Furniture BankFurniture and household essentials (serves families in need)Yes613-746-7606

Clothing and Textiles

• Value Village — accepts clothing, shoes, accessories (drop-off at store locations on Merivale, Carling, Montreal Road)
• Dress for Success Ottawa — professional women's clothing
• Textile recycling bins — located at most community centres and shopping centres

Electronics

• Best Buy — accepts old electronics free of charge (TVs, computers, small appliances)
• Computers for Schools — working laptops and desktops
• City of Ottawa electronics recycling — drop-off at Trail Road or community events

Books

• Ottawa Public Library — accepts book donations at most branches (limited quantities)
• Little Free Libraries — scattered throughout Ottawa neighbourhoods
• Better World Books — mail-in donation with free shipping labels

Specialty Items

ItemWhere to DonateMedical equipment (walkers, wheelchairs)Red Cross Medical Equipment Loan ProgramBaby items (cribs, car seats under 10 years)Mothercraft Ottawa, Ottawa Community HousingPet suppliesOttawa Humane Society, Sit With Me dog rescueToolsHabitat for Humanity ReStoreBicyclesRe-Cycles Ottawa, Cycle SalvationMusical instrumentsOttawa Folklore Centre, school music programs

Selling What Has Value

Best Platforms for Ottawa

• Facebook Marketplace — best for furniture, appliances, and large items (local pickup)
• Kijiji — strong in Ottawa for everything from electronics to sporting goods
• Ottawa Buy & Sell groups — Facebook groups specific to Ottawa neighbourhoods
• Poshmark / Depop — for clothing and accessories

Pricing Tips

• Don't overprice — your timeline is limited. Price to sell within 1–2 weeks.
• Offer bundle deals: "Take the couch + coffee table + lamp for $200"
• List items at least 3–4 weeks before your move to give enough time for responses
• "Porch pickup" saves you time — buyer comes and collects

Garage Sale

If you have a driveway and 3+ hours to spare:
- Saturday mornings (8 AM–12 PM) work best in Ottawa
- Post on Garage Sale Finder, Kijiji, and local Facebook groups
- Whatever doesn't sell by noon gets donated that afternoon — don't bring anything back inside

Recycling and Disposal in Ottawa

City of Ottawa Curbside Pickup

Ottawa has scheduled large-item pickup (bulky items collection):
- Furniture, mattresses, large items — set out on your regular collection day. Items must be at the curb by 7 AM. Maximum of 6 extra items per collection.
- Regular recycling — blue/black/grey bins (paper, plastic, metal, glass)
- Green bin — food waste and organic materials
- Check the Ottawa Waste Explorer for item-specific disposal instructions

Trail Road Waste Facility (Ottawa Dump)

• Address: 4475 Trail Road, Nepean
• Hours: Check city website for seasonal hours
• Accepts: General waste, construction debris, large appliances, electronics, hazardous waste
• Fees: Based on weight (minimum charge ~$12)

Hazardous Waste

These items cannot go in regular garbage or on a moving truck:

• Paint and stain (City of Ottawa Hazardous Waste Depot)
• Propane tanks and butane canisters
• Batteries (all types — drop-off at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, or city depots)
• Motor oil and automotive fluids
• Pesticides and chemicals
• Medications (return to any pharmacy)

Downsizing before your move? Get a free quote from UpMove — we work with you to determine the right truck size based on what you're actually keeping.

Gatineau-Specific Disposal

If you're moving from Gatineau, disposal rules differ:

• Ville de Gatineau curbside — large item collection is scheduled; check your zone's calendar
• Écocentre (Gatineau dump) — multiple locations (Aylmer, Masson-Angers, Buckingham)
• Textiles and electronics — similar drop-off programs, check gatineau.ca for locations

Junk Removal Services in Ottawa

When you have too much to donate and too much for curbside pickup:

ServiceWhat They DoApproximate Cost1-800-GOT-JUNKFull-service pickup — they load everythingStarting at $150JustJunkSimilar full-service, Ottawa coverageStarting at $130Ottawa Junk RemovalLocal service, competitive pricingVaries by load sizeBin rental (bagster, bin companies)Drop a bin at your home, fill it, they collect$200–$500 depending on size

Timing tip: Book junk removal for 2–3 days before moving day — not moving day itself. This gives you time to sort properly and avoids truck scheduling conflicts.

The Environmental Angle

Every item you divert from landfill matters:

• Donating furniture keeps it out of the waste stream and helps families in need
• Selling items locally reduces manufacturing demand for new products
• Recycling electronics prevents toxic materials from entering groundwater
• Using eco-friendly packing materials completes the cycle — see our eco-friendly moving guide

For those committed to a fully green move, see our guide on sustainable moving practices in 2025–2026.

Pre-Move Disposal Timeline

WhenWhat to Do4–6 weeks beforeSort and list items for sale; schedule donation pickups3–4 weeks beforeSell items on Marketplace/Kijiji; host garage sale2 weeks beforeDonate unsold items; schedule junk removal for remaining trash1 week beforeFinal curbside large-item collection; return hazardous materials3 days beforeJunk removal pickup; final garbage/recycling set-out

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put furniture on the curb for pickup in Ottawa?

Yes. Ottawa's curbside collection accepts up to 6 large items per regular collection day. Items must be at the curb by 7 AM. Check your collection calendar at ottawa.ca.

Do charities pick up large furniture in Ottawa?

Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the Salvation Army both offer free furniture pickup in Ottawa. Book 1–2 weeks in advance — especially during peak moving season (May–September).

What should I do with a mattress I don't want?

If it's in good condition: donate to the Ottawa Furniture Bank. If it's stained or damaged: set it out for curbside large-item collection. Mattress recycling pilot programs exist — check ottawa.ca for current availability.

How much does junk removal cost in Ottawa?

Full-service junk removal starts at approximately $130–$150 for a small load (equivalent to a pickup truck). Full truckloads (equivalent to a 10-foot truck) can run $400–$600.

Can I take items to the dump myself?

Yes. Trail Road Waste Facility is open to the public. Bring ID, and expect to pay by weight (minimum ~$12). Some items (electronics, tires, hazardous waste) go to specific areas within the facility.

Should I dispose of items before or after getting a moving quote?

Before. Your moving quote is based on the volume and weight of what you're moving. The less you have, the lower the quote. See how to get an accurate moving quote.

Move less. Pay less. Get a free moving quote from UpMove — optimized for what you're actually keeping.