What to do with garage sale leftovers in Santa Barbara County
By Rory at Estate Sale Zone · Published
Written, edited and reviewed by Rory before publishing. How we make guides
After a sale in Santa Barbara County, 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
Catholic Charities Thrifty Shopper (Santa Barbara)Free
The Thrifty Shopper sells furniture, home furnishings, clothing, shoes and books, and gives clothing and household goods to Catholic Charities clients. You call first to arrange a drop-off or a free pickup; the page does not list what it turns down, and drop-off may close early when space is short.
Call (805) 966-9659 to arrange a drop-off or free pickup at 609 E. Haley Street, Santa Barbara; drop-off hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 3pm.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County ReStoreFree
Takes furniture, appliances under 8 years old, flatscreen TVs under 8 years old and boxed home goods, all in good, clean, working condition. The free pickup covers approved first-floor items only and needs 1 to 3 weeks' notice; a paid ReSupply pickup takes everything from any floor. No mattresses, clothes, books, toys or paint.
Request a pickup with the form on sbhabitat.org/restore, or drop off at the back driveway of 400 State St., Santa Barbara (enter off Gutierrez St.), Wednesday to Friday 10:30am to 4:30pm; questions to 805-303-4461 or restore@sbhabitat.org.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Carpinteria bulky item pickup (E.J. Harrison & Sons)Free
For homes in Carpinteria
Two free bulky item pickups in any 12-month period for Carpinteria homes, covering furniture, mattresses, appliances, water heaters and old bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Apartment complexes get a share based on half their units. The page doesn't say how many items fit in one pickup or what is refused.
Call E.J. Harrison & Sons at 805-647-1414 or use the Request a Pick up form on ejharrison.com.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
City of Santa Barbara bulky item pickup (MarBorg)Free
For homes in Santa Barbara
Four free curbside pickups a year, up to five items, boxes or bags each, for any City of Santa Barbara address with trash service, renters included. MarBorg only takes the items you listed when you booked, and items put out on any other morning count as illegal dumping. No construction material or hazardous waste.
Call MarBorg at (805) 963-1852 and list your items, then set them at the curb on the morning of the day you're given.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Goleta and Buellton bulky item pickup (MarBorg)Free
For homes in Goleta, Buellton
MarBorg residential customers in Goleta and Buellton get curbside bulky item pickups of up to five items each, with items out by 6am. MarBorg's page says the number of pickups a year varies by city and doesn't give it for Goleta or Buellton. No construction material or hazardous waste, and only items listed when booking are taken.
Submit the request form on marborg.com/bulky-pick-up or call MarBorg at (805) 963-1852, and customer service will call back with a date.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County bulky item collection (MarBorg)Free
For homes in Unincorporated Santa Barbara County
Four free bulky item collections a year, up to five items or boxes each, for homes with county trash service outside city limits, including TVs and computers. No loose trash, construction debris or hazardous waste, and MarBorg does not offer it in New Cuyama, Cuyama, Ventucopa or Maricopa. Apartment and condo residents book through their landlord or property manager.
Call MarBorg at (805) 963-1852 with your list of items to set a date, or use the request form on marborg.com/bulky-pick-up.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Drop-off
Alpha Thrift Store Donation Center (Alpha Resource Center)Free
Takes clothes, books, household items, most working electronics and small furniture such as end tables or chairs, with proceeds going to Alpha Resource Center. No couches, dressers, desks or other large furniture, no mattresses, no large appliances like refrigerators, stoves or washers, and no paint or chemicals; staff can turn items away.
Drop off at the donation center at 3845 State Street in La Cumbre Plaza (the former Sears Auto Center), open daily 9am to 5pm; the Goleta and Milpas stores do not take donations. Questions: (805) 964-1123.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
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
Bye Bye Mattress free drop-off sites in Santa Barbara CountyFree
Free mattress and box spring drop-off for residents at transfer stations, landfills and MarBorg yards across the county, in the state recycling program. Limits differ: 5 a day at the South Coast station, 10 at MarBorg in Santa Barbara and at the Lompoc landfill, 5 at the Santa Maria landfill; MarBorg's Buellton and Santa Maria yards take county residents only.
Drop off at South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station, 4430 Calle Real, Santa Barbara (Mon to Sat 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.); MarBorg, 119 N. Quarantina St., Santa Barbara (weekdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat to 2 p.m.); MarBorg, 97 Commerce Dr., Buellton (Fri and Sat 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.); MarBorg, 1850 W. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria (weekdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Santa Maria Regional Landfill, 2065 E. Main St. (Mon to Sat 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.); or Lompoc Landfill, 700 Avalon St. (weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
City of Carpinteria ABOP CenterFree
Free drop-off two Saturdays a month for motor oil and filters, antifreeze, batteries, latex and oil-based paint, CFL bulbs and mercury thermostats. It also takes up to three electronic items per household, small appliances included, but no large appliances.
Drop off at 5775 Carpinteria Avenue on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, 9am to 1pm.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
City of Lompoc Household Hazardous Waste Collection FacilityCost varies
Takes household hazardous waste such as paint, batteries, motor oil, aerosols, asbestos and non-controlled medicines, plus audio, video, office and computer equipment. It is appointment only, and the County's listing gives no fee or residency rule, so ask both when you call.
Call at least a day ahead for an appointment at 1585 N. V Street, Lompoc, weekdays 9am to 1pm or the last Saturday of the month at 8am.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
City of Santa Maria Household Hazardous Waste FacilityCost varies
Household drop-off at the Santa Maria landfill for paint, batteries, motor oil, cleaners, pool supplies, sharps, propane tanks and similar waste, and the County's listing also shows TVs, computers and other electronics. Loads are capped at 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip in containers of 5 gallons or less; the listing gives no fee, so call to confirm.
Drive in at 2065 East Main Street, Santa Maria, Wednesdays 10am to 1pm and Saturdays 9am to 3pm, closed major holidays.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Community Friends of Santa Barbara Thrift Shop (formerly Assistance League of Santa Barbara)Free
A volunteer-run thrift shop that takes gently used clothing, home goods, books and toys to fund its local programs. It only receives donations three mornings a week, and the page does not say what it refuses.
Drop off at 1259 Veronica Springs Rd., Santa Barbara, on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday between 9:30am and 1:30pm; phone 805-898-1967.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara CountiesFree
Free drop-off for clothes, electronics (working or not), books, housewares, furniture and small appliances at donation centers open seven days a week. No home pickup, and it turns away beds and pillows, large appliances and hazardous waste.
Drop off at a Goodwill donation center found with the locator on gwvsb.org; staff help unload and give a tax receipt.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station (electronics and ABOP)Free
County station for Santa Ynez Valley households that takes electronics free, plus antifreeze, car batteries, motor oil, oil filters and latex paint free on Saturday mornings, up to 15 gallons per visit. Fluorescent tubes cost $2 each, and businesses pay a small fee for non-CRT electronics.
Drop off at 4004 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, Tuesday to Saturday 8:30am to 4pm; antifreeze, batteries, oil and paint only on Saturdays 9am to noon.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station (electronics and appliances)Free
County transfer station that takes household electronics, small and large appliances, car batteries and holiday lights for free from South Coast and Santa Ynez Valley residents. Fluorescent lights and most other recyclables here cost a fee.
Drop off at 4430 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, Monday to Saturday 7am to 5pm.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Unity Shoppe donation drop-offFree
Takes clean clothing without rips or stains and small household items in working order, such as kitchen items, bedding and small appliances, for its free store for people in need. No furniture, books, mattresses, large appliances, computers, used toys or oversized TVs, and donations can be declined.
Drop off at 110 West Sola Street, Santa Barbara, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm; phone 805-965-4122.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Buellton Hazardous Waste Collection EventCost varies
For homes in Buellton
One-day household hazardous waste collection for City of Buellton residents only. The event page does not list accepted items or a fee, so call the city before you load up.
Drive to the Buellton Wastewater Treatment Plant, 79 Industrial Way, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, 9am to 1pm.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center (UCSB)Free
For homes in Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Solvang, Unincorporated Santa Barbara County
County drop-off for household paint, batteries, motor oil, cleaners, solvents, pesticides, propane tanks and fluorescent lights, with fees charged only for non-residential use. Bring ID or a utility bill showing you live in Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Solvang or the unincorporated county, and no more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip; it closes when it rains.
No appointment needed: Building 565, Henry T. Yang Drive on the UCSB campus, Saturdays 9am to 3pm and Sundays 11am to 3pm.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
MarBorg Goleta Recycle Facility e-waste drop-offFree
For homes in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Unincorporated Santa Barbara County
Free drop-off of anything with an electrical cord, plus batteries, light bulbs, motor oil, antifreeze and paint, for residential customers only. It is open weekdays and only on a few listed Saturdays, and the page doesn't say whether you need to be a MarBorg customer.
No appointment is mentioned; bring items to 20 David Love Place, Goleta, weekdays 8am to 4pm or 8am to 1pm on October 17, November 7, November 21, December 5 and December 19, 2026.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
MarBorg Santa Barbara Recycle Facility e-waste drop-offFree
For homes in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Unincorporated Santa Barbara County
Free drop-off of anything with an electrical cord, plus batteries, light bulbs, motor oil, antifreeze and paint, for residential customers only. The page doesn't say whether you need to be a MarBorg customer or show proof of address.
No appointment is mentioned; bring items to 132 Nopalitos Way, Santa Barbara, Monday to Saturday 8am to 4pm.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Santa Ynez Valley Hazardous Waste Collection EventFree
For homes in Solvang, Unincorporated Santa Barbara County
Free twice-yearly County event, in April and October, for household hazardous waste and electronics from Solvang and unincorporated Santa Ynez Valley residents (Buellton has its own event). Up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip, and no trash, green waste, explosives or radioactive items; the fall 2026 date was not posted when checked.
Watch lessismore.org/events for the date, then drive to the Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station, 4004 Foxen Canyon Road (the April 2026 event ran 9am to 2pm).
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
Junk haulers (paid)
1-800-GOT-JUNK?Paid
Paid junk removal that takes almost anything non-hazardous. Its location pages list offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Palm Springs, Thousand Oaks (for Ventura County), Santa Maria (for Santa Barbara County) and Sacramento (for Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Yolo counties).
Book online or call 1-800-468-5865.
Checked October 13, 2026 on their own page
LoadUpPaid
Paid on-demand junk removal with an upfront online price, done by independent local haulers. Same-day or next-day pickup if booked before noon, with pages for San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and Sacramento County.
Book online on goloadup.com to get an upfront price.
Checked October 13, 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) · Catholic Charities Thrifty Shopper (Santa Barbara) · Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County ReStore · Carpinteria bulky item pickup (E.J. Harrison & Sons) · City of Santa Barbara bulky item pickup (MarBorg) · Goleta and Buellton bulky item pickup (MarBorg) · Unincorporated Santa Barbara County bulky item collection (MarBorg) · Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · LoadUp
- Mattresses
- Carpinteria bulky item pickup (E.J. Harrison & Sons) · City of Santa Barbara bulky item pickup (MarBorg) · Goleta and Buellton bulky item pickup (MarBorg) · Unincorporated Santa Barbara County bulky item collection (MarBorg) · Bye Bye Mattress (Mattress Recycling Council, California) · Bye Bye Mattress free drop-off sites in Santa Barbara County · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · LoadUp
- Appliances
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County ReStore · Carpinteria bulky item pickup (E.J. Harrison & Sons) · City of Santa Barbara bulky item pickup (MarBorg) · Goleta and Buellton bulky item pickup (MarBorg) · Unincorporated Santa Barbara County bulky item collection (MarBorg) · Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties · South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station (electronics and appliances) · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · LoadUp
- Electronics
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County ReStore · Unincorporated Santa Barbara County bulky item collection (MarBorg) · Alpha Thrift Store Donation Center (Alpha Resource Center) · City of Carpinteria ABOP Center · City of Lompoc Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility · City of Santa Maria Household Hazardous Waste Facility · Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties · Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station (electronics and ABOP) · South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station (electronics and appliances) · MarBorg Goleta Recycle Facility e-waste drop-off · MarBorg Santa Barbara Recycle Facility e-waste drop-off · Santa Ynez Valley Hazardous Waste Collection Event · 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
- Clothes and shoes
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Catholic Charities Thrifty Shopper (Santa Barbara) · Alpha Thrift Store Donation Center (Alpha Resource Center) · Community Friends of Santa Barbara Thrift Shop (formerly Assistance League of Santa Barbara) · Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties · Unity Shoppe donation drop-off
- Books
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Catholic Charities Thrifty Shopper (Santa Barbara) · Alpha Thrift Store Donation Center (Alpha Resource Center) · Community Friends of Santa Barbara Thrift Shop (formerly Assistance League of Santa Barbara) · Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
- Housewares and decor
- Buy Nothing Project (local gift groups and app) · Catholic Charities Thrifty Shopper (Santa Barbara) · Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County ReStore · Alpha Thrift Store Donation Center (Alpha Resource Center) · Community Friends of Santa Barbara Thrift Shop (formerly Assistance League of Santa Barbara) · Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties · Unity Shoppe donation drop-off · 1-800-GOT-JUNK? · LoadUp
- Paint and chemicals
- City of Carpinteria ABOP Center · City of Lompoc Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility · City of Santa Maria Household Hazardous Waste Facility · Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station (electronics and ABOP) · Buellton Hazardous Waste Collection Event · Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center (UCSB) · MarBorg Goleta Recycle Facility e-waste drop-off · MarBorg Santa Barbara Recycle Facility e-waste drop-off · Santa Ynez Valley Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Other areas: San Diego · Los Angeles · Ventura County · Orange County · Inland Empire · Sacramento · The general guide
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