What to do with garage sale leftovers in San Diego
By Rory at Estate Sale Zone · Published
Written, edited and reviewed by Rory before publishing. How we make guides
After a sale in San Diego, give what's left to neighbors through a Buy Nothing group, book a free charity or city pickup, or take it to a drop-off. Each option below links to the organization's own page, with the date we last checked it. Hours and rules change, so check before you go.
Give it away to neighbors
Buy Nothing groups are for giving things to neighbors, free. Selling, trading and advertising aren't allowed, so post each thing as a gift rather than promoting your sale. You join the group for where you live.
Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app)Free
Neighbors give things away for free. No selling, trading, bartering, advertising or marketing, so it suits leftovers you'd give away, not promoting a sale.
Join through the Buy Nothing app (share with people nearby), or create a Buy Nothing account, go to Settings and pick your official local Facebook group from 'Registered Buy Nothing Groups'.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
Pickup from your home
Father Joe's Villages (St. Vincent de Paul Village) donation pickupFree
Free home pickup of furniture and household goods in San Diego County. Items must be outside on the entry level, and the charity turns away mattresses, stained furniture and broken electronics.
Fill out the free pickup form on Father Joe's donate-goods page, or pay ReSupply for a priority pickup within 72 hours.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
Pickup Please (veterans' charity donation pickup)Free
Free curbside pickup of bagged clothes and small household goods for veterans' charities, listed as serving Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. No large furniture, mattresses, big appliances or TVs.
Schedule online at pickupplease.org, then leave labelled bags or boxes outside on the pickup day.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
The Salvation Army donation pickup (satruck.org)Free
Free home pickup of furniture, clothes and working appliances, though accepted items vary by local center. No broken or gas appliances, TVs older than 5 years, or paint and chemicals.
Enter your ZIP in the 'Schedule a pickup' box on satruck.org, or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
Chula Vista bulky item collection (Republic Services)Free
For homes in Chula Vista
Free curbside pickup of up to 10 bulky items a week (60 in any 90 days) for Chula Vista homes with cart service. Extra items, and heavy items over 60 lb that a hand truck can't move, cost extra.
Call Republic Services at (619) 421-9400, or use Republic's website, at least 24 hours before your service day.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
Drop-off
Bye Bye Mattress (Mattress Recycling Council, California)Free
Statewide free mattress and box spring drop-off at participating sites, with retailer take-back on delivery. Delivery fees may still apply, and some sites set limits.
Find a participating drop-off site in the Bye Bye Mattress 'Find a Facility' directory, or ask your retailer to take the old one back when a new mattress is delivered.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
City of San Diego mattress collection site (Bye Bye Mattress)Free
Free mattress and box spring drop-off at Miramar, listed in the state Bye Bye Mattress locator with no drop-off limit.
Drop off at 5161 Convoy Street, next to the City's hazardous waste facility; call 858-694-7000 with questions.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
Goodwill Industries of San Diego CountyFree
Free drop-off for clothes, housewares, books and electronics, plus furniture at its stores. It turns away mattresses, hazardous products and electronics with cracked screens.
Drop off at one of the 50+ donation sites in San Diego County; large furniture goes to the retail stores and storefronts, and large appliances to the Otay Mesa Outlet.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
Republic Services Otay Landfill mattress drop-off (Bye Bye Mattress)Free
Free mattress drop-off in the South Bay with no limit, though you should call ahead for big loads.
Drop off at 1700 Maxwell Rd., Chula Vista, and call 619-421-3773 first if you're bringing a large quantity.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
City of San Diego Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility (Miramar)Free
For homes in San Diego
Free hazardous waste drop-off for City of San Diego residents. Appointment only, and it does not take electronics.
Book an appointment on the City's hazardous waste page, then bring proof of City residency to 5161 Convoy St. on a Wednesday or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
County of San Diego HHW facilities for unincorporated residentsCost varies
For homes in Unincorporated San Diego County
Hazardous waste drop-off for people in unincorporated areas (Alpine, Fallbrook, Julian, Ramona and so on). Most sites need an appointment, and El Cajon is closed to unincorporated residents for now.
Call (877) 713-2784 or book online for the Ramona or Escondido facility; the Chula Vista facility needs no appointment.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (Chula Vista)Free
For homes in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, Unincorporated San Diego County
Free hazardous waste and electronics drop-off for Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City and unincorporated County residents. City of San Diego residents are turned away.
No appointment needed: drive to 1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista on a Wednesday or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a California ID or recent utility bill.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
Junk haulers (paid)
1-800-GOT-JUNK?Paid
Paid junk removal that takes almost anything non-hazardous. It has a San Diego location page; LA and Orange County coverage wasn't confirmed.
Book online or call 1-800-468-5865.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & MovingPaid
Paid junk removal priced by how much truck space your items fill. Its California page lists San Diego locations; LA and Orange County weren't confirmed.
Book online or call 833-626-1326 for a free on-site estimate.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
LoadUpPaid
Paid on-demand junk removal with an upfront online price. Same-day or next-day pickup if booked before noon, with pages for San Diego and Los Angeles.
Book online on goloadup.com to get an upfront price.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
Not running right now
These services exist but aren't taking bookings. We list them so you don't go looking.
City of San Diego Environmental Services: bulky item pickup (paused)Paused
For homes in San Diego
The City's planned bulky item pickup for City-serviced homes is paused until further notice, so plan another route (drop-off, donation or a paid hauler).
There is no City bulky pickup to book right now; City-serviced homes are pointed to WasteFreeSD.org to find places that take bulky items and appliances.
Checked October 10, 2026 on their own page
What goes where
From each organization's own list of what it takes. Ask before you load the car if it's something big.
- Furniture
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Father Joe's Villages (St. Vincent de Paul Village) donation pickup · The Salvation Army donation pickup (satruck.org) · Chula Vista bulky item collection (Republic Services) · Goodwill Industries of San Diego County · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving · LoadUp
- Mattresses
- The Salvation Army donation pickup (satruck.org) · Chula Vista bulky item collection (Republic Services) · Bye Bye Mattress (Mattress Recycling Council, California) · City of San Diego mattress collection site (Bye Bye Mattress) · Republic Services Otay Landfill mattress drop-off (Bye Bye Mattress) · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · LoadUp
- Appliances
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · The Salvation Army donation pickup (satruck.org) · Chula Vista bulky item collection (Republic Services) · Goodwill Industries of San Diego County · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving · LoadUp
- Electronics
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Father Joe's Villages (St. Vincent de Paul Village) donation pickup · Pickup Please (veterans' charity donation pickup) · The Salvation Army donation pickup (satruck.org) · Goodwill Industries of San Diego County · County of San Diego HHW facilities for unincorporated residents · South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (Chula Vista) · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving
- Clothes and shoes
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Father Joe's Villages (St. Vincent de Paul Village) donation pickup · Pickup Please (veterans' charity donation pickup) · The Salvation Army donation pickup (satruck.org) · Goodwill Industries of San Diego County
- Books
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Pickup Please (veterans' charity donation pickup) · The Salvation Army donation pickup (satruck.org) · Goodwill Industries of San Diego County
- Housewares and decor
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Father Joe's Villages (St. Vincent de Paul Village) donation pickup · Pickup Please (veterans' charity donation pickup) · The Salvation Army donation pickup (satruck.org) · Goodwill Industries of San Diego County · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving · LoadUp
- Paint and chemicals
- City of San Diego Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility (Miramar) · County of San Diego HHW facilities for unincorporated residents · South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (Chula Vista)
Other areas: Los Angeles · Orange County · The general guide
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