Moving Out? Here’s How to Ditch the Junk Without Dumping It

If you’re a landlord or apartment tenant in Chittenden County, you’ve most likely come across unwanted items piled near the dumpster. Whether that’s mattresses, old TVs, or mystery bins of miscellaneous items, these are more than an eyesore—they can lead to extra hauling fees or even fines for illegal dumping. And with the majority of rental turnovers occurring between May and September, curbside and near-the-dumpster piles of unwanted items increase.

So, whether you’re a landlord looking to address this issue, or a tenant looking to dispose of your waste responsibly, we’re here to help. Here are five of the most commonly dumped items in rental properties and how to dispose of them the right way here in Chittenden County.

1. Mattresses & Box Springs 

The Problem:

They’re bulky, hard to move, and often left behind.

Solution:

CSWD’s Drop-Off Centers (DOCs) located in Milton and Williston accept mattresses and box springs for a fee. These items will then be recycled by Sleep Well Recycling in Burlington.  

Tips for Tenants:

If your mattress is still in good condition, it can be sold or donated to these local organizations.

Tips for Landlords:

Include disposal information in your lease packet or move-out checklist.

2. Electronics (TVs, Monitors, Computers)

The Problem:

Vermont law bans certain electronics from the landfill, but that unfortunately doesn’t stop them from showing up next to trash dumpsters.

Solution:

Take advantage of Vermont’s free electronics recycling program. Residents can bring TVs, monitors, computers, printers, and more to: 

• CSWD Drop-Off Centers in Essex, Hinesburg, Milton, South Burlington, & Williston. 
• CSWD’s Environmental Depot accepts electronics by appointment only. 

Tips for Tenants:

Don’t leave broken electronics behind or at your apartment dumpster. Instead, drop them off at a CSWD Drop-Off Center for free!

Tips for Landlords:

Post signage in shared spaces with the closest e-waste drop-off location listed. 

3. Clothing & Textiles 

The Problem:

85% of clothing ends up in the landfill. And during move-outs, clothing and linens are often thrown out or left behind.

Solution:

CSWD partners with Apparel Impact to recycle or reuse textiles. CSWD Drop-Off Centers accept clean and dry clothing, shoes, and linens (even if they’re ripped or stained) for no fee.

Tips for Tenants:

Consider donating your unwanted clothing. And if they’re not in donation-worthy condition, take them to any CSWD Drop-Off Center. Make sure they are clean, dry, odor free, and in a closed, 13-gallon kitchen plastic bag.

Tips for Landlords:

Include disposal information in your tenant welcome packet. Or, send them our Mini Chuck-It Guide.

4. Furniture

The Problem:

Large furniture items are often left behind or placed near dumpsters when tenants move out.

Solution:

Bring large bulky furniture to the CSWD Drop-Off Center in Williston, Milton, or Essex. If the furniture is 80% or more metal, then it can be disposed of as scrap metal

Tips for Tenants:

Consider donating your unwanted furniture if it’s still in good condition. Or, bring them to one of the above CSWD Drop-Off Centers.

Tips for Landlords:

Before move-out day, remind your tenants that there are better options than dumping unwanted furniture on the curb or near dumpsters. Share our A-Z list so they know exactly where and how to responsibly dispose of their stuff.

5. Household Hazardous Waste

The Problem:

Batteries, light bulbs, cleaning products, and old paint often get left behind under sinks or in sheds.

Solution:

Make an appointment at CSWD’s Environmental Depot to safely disposal of hazardous items. Open year-round to Chittenden County residents.

Tips for Tenants:

Mark your calendar and attend one of our Rover events. The Rover is CSWD’s mobile household hazardous waste event that accepts a wide variety of household hazardous waste at no charge from Chittenden County residents.

Tips for Landlords:

After a tenant moves out, do a sweep for HHW and bring it to the Environmental Depot. Or, encourage to do this themselves before move-out.

Landlord Tips & Takeaways

Set your tenants up for success and keep your property cleaner by including recycling and disposal information in your welcome packet or move-out guide. 

CSWD offers free handouts, brochures, signage, and other resources that you can distribute to tenants. Some of most helpful resources for tenants include our Mini Chuck-It Guide, the A-Z List online search tool, and the Waste Management Guide for Tenants — all designed to help them understand how and where to dispose of unwanted items responsibly.