Township-wide Garage Sale

The Township-wide Garage Sale encourages the re-use of items instead of recycling or sending them to landfill. While most people are familiar with hosting a garage sale on their own, the Township-wide Garage Sale is an opportunity for residents throughout the Township to host a sale at their property on a single coordinated day. Multiple sales on the same day helps draw out more bargain hunters and increases your chance of making a sale or finding that perfect purchase.

Although garage sales are typically thought of as a chance to clean house or snag a bargain, they also help reduce waste by giving new life to items that would otherwise end up recycled or sent to the landfill. By participating, you’ll not only reduce your waste, but you’ll also meet others in your community and make some cash in the process.

Leftover items

Like any privately run garage sale, participants are required to remove and clean up any unsold materials from their property. The Township of Langley will not be picking up unsold items.

Looking to give unsold items a new home? Try these options:

Online sale

Online classifieds and social media sites are a great way to sell items year-round. Posting items online helps connect you to buyers looking for a specific item, and will allow anyone who couldn’t make it out to the event to make you an offer.

Donation

Residents can donate leftover items to second-hand stores or a charity of their choice. Select organizations offer pick-up services when booked in advance.

Disposal

If you’re left with large items following the event and your property receives municipal garbage collection, the Large Item Pick Up service may help. Each eligible property may have up to four large items collected by appointment per calendar year. Items such as furniture, appliances, and exercise equipment are all accepted. Call Sierra Waste at 604-530-3939 to confirm your item qualifies and book your Large Item Pick Up. Note: If Sierra Waste confirms your item is eligible, do not leave large items at the curb following your garage sale. Bring them in until the scheduled pick up date.

Left with a few items you don’t know what to do with? Try our What Goes Where tool on tol.ca/recycle or call the Recycling Council of BC’s Recycling Hotline at 604-RECYCLE (732-9253).

Frequently asked questions

Why participate in the Township-wide Garage Sale when I can host my own garage sale at any time?

Participating in the Township-wide Garage Sale will provide your sale with additional exposure as the Township will advertise participating properties in local newspapers and on the Township of Langley’s website. In addition, social media posts will direct people to the event’s webpage to further increase exposure. Multiple sales on the same day also helps attract interest from bargain hunters, perhaps increasing your chance of making a sale.

Why am I responsible for cleaning and disposing of unsold items?

As with any garage sale, hosts are required to ensure they pack up any unsold items and arrange for donation or proper disposal.

For properties with municipal garbage collection, the Large Item Pick Up service may be used for items such as furniture, patio sets, and appliances. Each property that receives municipal garbage collection is entitled to have four large items picked up by appointment at any time during the year. To schedule a pick up call Sierra Waste at 604-530-3939. Large items must be stored on your property, away from the curb, until the scheduled pick up date.

Why should I indicate what kind of items I have for sale?

Some bargain hunters will drive all over town searching for that special item. In an effort to reduce emissions and save time, indicating the types of items for sale will help others identify where they might find their treasure.

I want to host a sale with different times, can I still register?

We ask that registered properties commit to hosting their sale from 9:00am to 2:00pm, as these are the advertised times of the event and when bargain hunters can be expected to arrive. You are welcome to begin your sale prior to 9:00am or extend it beyond 2:00pm, however, late starts or early wrap-ups should be avoided if possible.

What happens if I need to withdraw from participating?

If you need to withdraw from the Township-wide Garage Sale, please notify the Engineering Division at 604-532-7300 so that they may remove your property from online and/or print advertising. If unforeseen circumstances arise shortly before the sale, please place a sign out indicating your sale is cancelled so bargain hunters can move on to the next property.

Can I do additional advertising for my own sale?

The Township will advertise registered properties on the event webpage as well as in the Langley Advance-Times and Aldergrove Star. In addition, all posters, social media posts, banners, and other advertising will direct bargain hunters to the event webpage where a map of participating properties will be available. Township-provided advertising and general interest in the event should be sufficient for most properties. Any resident-created advertising must be removed at the completion of the event.

Why is the Township encouraging a community-wide garage sale?

Garage sales are a great way to score a bargain, get to know your community, and breathe new life to objects that might otherwise end up in the landfill. To help these items find a new home and encourage a cleaner, greener Langley, the Township is introducing a new event.

By organizing the Township-wide Garage Sale, the Township supports a culture of maximizing a product’s life through re-use rather than simply disposing or recycling it. Additionally, residents are encouraged to adopt more environmentally-conscious choices when it comes to purchasing and discarding items, such as purchasing second-hand and donating items that are no longer needed.

Responsible waste disposal is an ongoing effort in the Township. The Township offers a variety of environmentally-responsible municipal waste and recycling programs to help residents throughout the year. Learn more about other waste initiatives in the Township.