Mattresses
Banned from garbage. Drop mattresses and box springs at a Metro Vancouver recycling and waste centre for a per-item fee, up to four per visit.
Source: Metro Vancouver: Central Surrey Recycling and Waste Centre
Metro Vancouver disposal guide
What can go in the garbage, what can't, and where everything else goes, from mattresses to paint. Every fact links to its official source. Rules last checked: November 2026.
Materials banned from the garbage
Metro Vancouver bans these from garbage loads at its facilities. Inspectors check loads, and banned materials bring surcharges: an $80 minimum for hazardous or stewardship items, and 50% of the tipping fee on the whole load for banned recyclables.
Recyclables
- Cardboard and recyclable paper
- Beverage containers and glass
- Metal and plastic containers
- Expanded polystyrene (foam)
- Clean wood
- Yard trimmings and food waste
Product stewardship items
- Paint, solvents and flammables
- Gasoline, oil and antifreeze
- Batteries and fluorescent lights
- Pesticides and medications
- Tires
- Electronics and metal appliances
Hazardous and operational
- Asbestos
- Gypsum (drywall)
- Mattresses
- Propane tanks
- Creosote wood and railway ties
- Single objects over 100 kg or very long items
Recycling and waste centres
Metro Vancouver runs six recycling and waste centres. The City of Vancouver also runs its own transfer station, landfill and zero waste centre.
Garbage at Metro centres is charged by weight, with a minimum and a maximum charge per load. Rates can change during the year, so check the current fees before you go.
Sources: Metro Vancouver: Recycling and waste facilities; Metro Vancouver: Tipping fees
- Central SurreySurrey
- North SurreySurrey
- LangleyLangley Township
- Maple RidgeMaple Ridge
- United BoulevardCoquitlam
- North ShoreNorth Vancouver
Surrey large item pickup
Surrey households get a free large item allowance through the garbage utility, booked online or by phone.
- Up to 6 items a year (8 with a registered secondary suite; 4 for eligible apartments).
- Items out by 7:30 am; unused items don't carry over.
- Mattresses must be in clear bags.
- Excluded: renovation materials, toilets, sinks, tubs, carpets, hot tubs, propane tanks and large glass.
Item by item
Fridges, freezers and appliances
Large metal and refrigeration appliances are accepted free at Metro centres such as Central Surrey and Langley (up to four refrigeration units per visit). The Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable lists other free drop-off sites.
Electronics
Return-It Electronics runs drop-off locations across BC. Central Surrey and United Boulevard also take e-waste for free.
Source: Return-It Electronics
Paint, flammables and pesticides
Product Care runs free household hazardous waste drop-offs for domestic pesticides and flammables in original labelled containers. Paint is accepted free at Metro centres.
Drywall
Metro Vancouver notes that drywall installed before 1990 may contain asbestos in the tape and mud. Used gypsum is accepted from residents only, double-bagged in program bags, with per-visit limits.
Paint, propane, fuel, car and lithium batteries, asbestos and other hazardous items: see what we don’t take, and where each one goes.
Fees and rules change. Always check the facility's own page before you go.
Rather not sort it yourself?
We sort every load for donation, recycling and disposal, and the fees are built into one upfront estimate, given free at your door.
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