We’re generally concerned with the important stuff like transporting furniture and possessions to our new home when we move. But, if you’ve ever renovated or upgraded the home you’re moving from, you may have leftover renovation materials you have no intention of bringing with you. You want to be socially responsible and keep them out of the landfill, so what can you do with these items?

Leave Them in Your Old Home

If there’s anything the new homeowner might find valuable, I suggest you leave it behind. For example, you might have a tin of paint for touch-ups or spare floorboards in case some need to be replaced. But don’t leave too much – no one wants to move into a cluttered house!

Donate to a Building Supply Charity

For items you know the new owner won’t need, check out services like Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They accept building supply materials like lumber, doors, lighting and much more.

You can drop off your items at a location or schedule a pick-up (but you’ll need to upload photos first). Bonus: When you donate an item to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore organization, you can ask for a donation receipt. They calculate the value after receiving your item(s) and have priced them for the shopping floor.

Recycle Your Renovation Materials

If you have renovation materials like opened paint, drywall or roofing shingles that are no longer of any use, there are various recycling services across the province. Check out the Recycling Council of British Columbia. They have a drop-down menu with a long list of items you can recycle and where to go.

Once that’s all taken care of, you can get back to moving your valuables.

Do you have other resource suggestions for us? Please let us know by contacting us through our website.

Image by analogicus from Pixabay