Let's be honest: we've all got that one corner of the garage or a "mystery pile" in the basement that has been growing for years. You want it gone, but you also don't want to spend a fortune on disposal fees or truck rentals.
The good news? Ottawa is a great place to get rid of stuff for free—if you know the local "insider" tricks. Here is your roadmap to FREE junk removal in Ottawa so you can reclaim your home without reaching for your wallet.
1 The "Big Three" Curbside Secret
The easiest way to get rid of junk is right at your front door. The City of Ottawa currently has a three-item limit for garbage day.
Every two weeks, you can put out three bulky things—like a sofa, a mattress, or an old wooden desk—alongside your regular trash.
The Rule
One "item" can be a single piece of furniture or a 140L bin full of smaller trash.
The Pro Tip
If you have a fourth item, you'll need to buy a city-branded "Yellow Bag," but those only work for bags, not furniture. For the big stuff, stick to three at a time.
The Catch
You have to drag it to the curb yourself. City crews won't come into your house or backyard to help.
2 Donating Furniture (The Right Way)
If your old dresser or kitchen table is still in decent shape, don't let it rot in a landfill. Giving it away is the best form of free removal.
Matthew House Ottawa (The Furniture Bank)
This incredible local charity helps refugees and families in need furnish their homes.
Crucial Step: You must book an appointment through their website before dropping anything off. They have limited space and need to know you're coming.
Watch the Address: Their drop-off hub is in Kanata (340 Legget Drive, Door 53). There is a Matthew House in Orléans, but that is a residential home—they cannot accept furniture there!
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Located on Iber Road in Stittsville, they love home reno items like cabinets, tiles, and solid wood furniture. Just make sure there are no rips or pet hair, or they'll have to say no.
3 The "Curb Alert" & Metal Scrappers
Sometimes the fastest way to get rid of something is to let the neighborhood "experts" handle it.
The Metal Men
If you have anything made of metal—a rusted BBQ, copper pipes, or a broken washing machine—put it at the curb 24 hours before your garbage day. Ottawa has a dedicated community of scrap collectors who cruise the streets. Usually, it'll be gone before you finish your morning coffee.
Online Speed
Post a quick photo on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji with the title "FREE: Curb Alert" and your general intersection. You'd be amazed at how fast "one man's trash" becomes "another man's treasure."
4 Tech & Hazardous Waste
Old batteries, tangled cables, and broken printers shouldn't go in the bin—and they don't have to stay in your "junk drawer" either.
Staples
Most Ottawa locations (like Bank St. or Merivale) have free drop-off bins right at the front for household batteries and small electronics.
Best Buy
They will take almost any old tech—laptops, monitors, even those old power cords—for free recycling, regardless of where you originally bought it.
5 Clothing "Drop & Go"
Got bags of old clothes, shoes, or curtains? Look for the donation bins in Walmart parking lots (like the ones at Fernbank or Blair Rd). They are open 24/7, making it the simplest way to clear out a closet on your own schedule.