Trash2Treasure’s free, carbon-neutral pickup returns to Montreal 

Trash2Treasure, a free and carbon-neutral collection service for furniture and household items, is back in Montreal’s Milton-Parc neighbourhood until May 1.

Students and residents in the area can donate their gently used furniture to local charities through the program, with volunteers handling all pickups.

“We’re proud of this, I know we’re trying to make a contribution even if it’s not the bigger one,” said Eloïse Figaszewski, Trash2Treasure communications and engagement officer. “I think it’s each year we’re trying to collect more and more. The students are the most concerned I’d say in this neighbourhood. But also, we want to give the information to the people living here that we are trying to find a solution for them.”

The project is organized annually by the environmental non-profit Sollicité, in collaboration with the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.

The borough office said in a statement:
“This service allows for the recovery and recycling of goods that, without Rebutrécup’s service, would be destined for the landfill. In addition, Rebutrécup employees collect goods using a bicycle trailer. This service is therefore carbon neutral. A project is under consideration to offer this service at other times of the year.”

Once collected, items are brought to Milton Street, between Aylmer and Durocher.

“We only use electrical bikes, so all collections are carbon neutral too,” said Figaszewski. “That’s why we have also this aspect, less people use their car to dispose of their furniture and we’re here to help in a more responsible way.”

Volunteer driver Benjamin de la Jonquière says he enjoys using his free time to do something concrete while helping others.

“I think it’s very good, I really like the fact of reusing objects and not just throwing them at the most beautiful one,” said Jonquière. “It’s something that, in my everyday life, I try to do too, buy second-hand products or things like that. It’s better than the car.”

“I wanted to volunteer; I actually have free time and I’m using my free time to do something concrete and help others,” said Jonquière. “It’s something I like to do.”

The service does not accept damaged items, mattresses, bedding, pillows, or large appliances due to concerns over bed bugs and the difficulty of repair.

“We don’t take items that are too damaged or not in usable condition, we can’t necessarily repair them,” said Jonquière. “People who come to pick up furniture don’t necessarily want to have it repaired. We only take the furniture, even if it’s not necessarily beautiful or needs painting, we still take it.”

A free garage sale will be held around the container on Friday, April 25, open to the public. Starting May 5, any items not picked up will be donated to partner charities.

“We’re giving it to charities because we want to help people in need,” said Figaszewski. “It’s a social aspect also to the project, It’s mostly people in need, newcomers that need new things.”

According to the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, 4.7 tons of reusable items were redistributed in 2024 thanks to the service—keeping them out of landfills.

Their upcoming stops include other Montreal boroughs such as Westmount, the Plateau during Moving Day, and Ville-Marie later in the year.

“We’re happy to see all the neighbourhoods being interested in trusting us with this project,” said Figaszewski. “We wish to expand a bit more. We’re trying to get it known. But yeah, we’re happy to see people like it because it’s very important to us too.”