Curbside Giveaway Days
During Curbside Giveaway Days York Region residents are invited to place unwanted items, labelled FREE, at the curb for other residents and community members to browse and take for their own use, free of charge.
This is a great opportunity to declutter and find a new home for your unwanted items, while also picking up something you may want or need for free.
Here are a few tips and tools to help out:
- If participating, download and print a FREE curb alert poster
- Keep items you don't want taken far from the curb to avoid confusion
- Only take items labelled FREE; if there is any doubt ask the owner first before taking
- See dates and locations below for events in your local city or town
- Share your offerings and great finds using #yrcurbalert
- Swap your items online for free on various apps, sites or groups
For locations where you can donate, recycle or dispose of any items that were not picked up visit york.ca/Bindicator
2024 Dates and Locations
Put your items out at the curb by 7 a.m.; anything remaining or not picked up must be brought back inside by 5 p.m. that evening.
Aurora
Dates:
- Saturday, April 27, 2024, and Sunday, April 28, 2024
- Saturday, May 25, 2024, and Sunday, May 26, 2024
- Saturday, June 29, 2024, and Sunday, June 30, 2024
- Saturday, July 27, 2024, and Sunday, July 28, 2024
- Saturday, August 24, 2024, and Sunday, August 25, 2024
- Saturday, September 28, 2024, and Sunday, September 29, 2024
- Saturday, October 26, 2024, and Sunday, October 27, 2024
Visit aurora.ca for more details.
East Gwillimbury
Dates:
- Saturday, June 22, 2024
- Saturday, July 27, 2024
- Saturday, August 24, 2024
- Saturday, September 28, 2024
Georgina
Dates:
- Saturday, April 27, 2024
- Saturday, May 25, 2024
- Saturday, June 22, 2024
- Saturday, July 27, 2024
- Saturday, August 24, 2024
- Saturday, September 28, 2024
- Saturday, October 26, 2024
King
Dates:
- Saturday, April 27, 2024
- Saturday, May 25, 2024
- Saturday, June 22, 2024
- Saturday, July 27, 2024
- Saturday, August 24, 2024
- Saturday, September 21, 2024
- Saturday, October 26, 2024
Visit king.ca for more details.
Markham
- Saturday, October 5, 2024
Visit markham.ca for more details.
Newmarket
Dates:
- Saturday, April 27, 2024
- Saturday, May 25, 2024
- Saturday, June 22, 2024
- Saturday, July 27, 2024
- Saturday, August 24, 2024
- Saturday, September 28, 2024
- Saturday, October 26, 2024
Visit newmarket.ca for more information.
Richmond Hill
Dates:
- Saturday, June 22, 2024
- Saturday, July 27, 2024
- Saturday, August 24, 2024
- Saturday, September 21, 2024
Visit richmondhill.ca for more information.
Vaughan
Dates:
- Saturday, May 25, 2024, and Sunday, May 26, 2024
- Saturday, June 22, 2024, and Sunday, June 23, 2024
- Saturday, July 27, 2024, and Sunday, July 28, 2024
- Saturday, August 24, 2024, and Sunday, August 25, 2024
- Saturday, September 28, 2024, and Sunday, September 29, 2024
- Saturday, October 26, 2024, and Sunday, October 27, 2024
Visit vaughan.ca for more information.
Whitchurch-Stouffville
Dates:
- Saturday, May 25, 2024
- Saturday, June 29, 2024
- Saturday, July 27, 2024
- Saturday, August 24, 2024
- Saturday, September 28, 2024
Visit townofws.ca for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can be placed at the curb?
Items placed at the curb should be in good condition for reuse or able to be repaired and can include things like:
- Books, DVDs, CDs, musical instruments
- Electronics
- Furniture and small appliances
- Housewares, pots and pans, dishes, kitchen gadgets, artwork, picture frames, mirrors and other décor items
- Sports and exercise equipment, bicycles, games, toys
- Tools and construction materials like nails, paint, wood
- Yard and gardening equipment
Unclaimed items must be removed from the curb by 5 p.m. Items left after this time could result in a bylaw violation.
What should not be placed at the curb?
Do not put out:
- Items that are not reusable
- Items that could be infested with bed bugs, clothes moths, cockroaches, fleas or other pests
- Items that are not safe to give away; visit the Consumer Product Safety Bureau for more information
What can I do with unclaimed items?
Consider donating unclaimed items to charities or posting items on sites like Bunz, Buy Nothing, Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle, Kijiji, Karrot and others. Use york.ca/Bindicator for item-specific suggestions.
Please do not dump unclaimed items on roadsides or in public spaces. Illegal dumping is a reportable offence and can have significant penalties. Learn how you can report illegal dumping at york.ca/Litter.
How can I improve the chance that someone will take my items?
Here are a few tips to help improve your success:
- Get items out as early as possible, preferably before 7 a.m.
- Mark items with a “FREE” sign to encourage any potential takers; you can download and print a FREE #yrcurbalert poster
- Take a picture and post it on local sharing or buy and sell groups for free using the hashtag #yrcurbalert
How can I get the most out of Curbside Giveaway Days?
It’s best to participate regularly, both as someone putting items out at the curb and as someone finding great items to take home. Curbside Giveaway Days are a great way to declutter and to also find unique treasures for free. Remember, keep items you don’t want taken, far from the curb to avoid confusion. Please respect private property and do not walk on people’s lawns or gardens. Do not block traffic and driveways or park illegally.
If you are looking for treasures:
- Get out early for the best selection
- Explore new neighbourhoods as well as your own; many Curbside Giveaway Days occur at the same time across several towns and cities in York Region
- Check the hashtag #yrcurbalert on social media
- Consider the item’s potential; maybe it just needs a quick sanding or coat of paint to make it spectacular
- If you are driving, consider bringing a larger vehicle and a friend or two to help bring larger pieces home with you
- If you are walking, consider bringing a wagon or a cart to hold your items
Safety Tips for Treasure Hunters and Declutterers
For those of you decluttering your closets, basements and garages and who love the thrill of stumbling upon a unique treasure – here are some health and safety tips to keep in mind while buying, selling or swapping items.
Tips to stay safe during any buy, sell or swap
- York Region Public Health continues to strongly recommend the use of masks in confined spaces, crowds or in close contact with someone, especially if you are at high risk for severe illness, recovering from COVID-19, have symptoms of the virus or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19
- Do not buy, sell or swap items if you are feeling unwell
- Do not buy, sell or swap items after you have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses
- Limit close contact and keep a physical distance when possible
- After picking up an item, thoroughly clean and disinfect it
- Always practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette often, before and after handling goods (e.g. when coughing/sneezing)
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after handling items or completing the sale
- Sneeze and cough into your sleeve or tissue and wash your hands afterwards
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Buying, selling or swapping secondhand items
- Never enter another person’s house or allow anyone to enter your home
- If possible, use digital payment services rather than cash
- Drop off or pick up goods during the day and in a public location
Organizing a garage or yard sale
- Hold the sale outdoors, on your driveway, never in your home
- Space out your tables and items to give people lots of space to browse
- Display a sign to remind people not to come if they are feeling ill
- Clean high-touch surfaces frequently
- When exchanging money, if possible, ask buyers to send you an e-transfer
Attending a garage or yard sale
- Avoid handling items, unless you are going to buy them
- Wear a mask if the sale is crowded or if you are in close contact with others
- Pay with exact change if possible or ask if an e-transfer is an option
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer often, before and after handling items or completing the sale
Please note:
The contents of this webpage and other information provided by The Regional Municipality of York about Curbside Giveaway Days is intended as helpful advice only; they are not legally binding. Curbside Giveaway Day participants are responsible for the goods they are giving away and the goods they are acquiring. York Region does not accept any liability for any actions taken by participants in the Curbside Giveaway Days or for the type or quality of the goods being given away or acquired.
Related Resources
- Online Buying and Selling – York Regional Police
- Project Safe Trade – Ontario Provincial Police
- Tips for Buying Second-Hand Products – Health Canada
- Public Health Safety Measures - York Region
