One condo owner’s trash may be another’s treasure, but it’s also very possible it just may be junk they don’t care to look at. Or have to shell out to have it hauled away.

While pulling up piles of ancient carpet and decrepit cabinets, many solutions came to mind, including hurling them off my balcony or sneaking the unsightly rolled up, dust-mite-filled, 1980s piles of broadloom into our complex’s dumpsters in a stealth mission. It’s truly a skill and I have seen others try to do the same (some successfully) with their olive toilets, water-wasting washing machines and mirrored closet doors, but now that I am a member of the condo board, this type of illegal dumping is frowned upon as it leaves other residents well, holding the bag when there’s no dumpster room. Plus, I have learned we pay hundreds a month to have everything from bicycles to building supplies hauled away.

Oh, for the days of living down in Beltline where nomads with shopping carts and bicycles are always willing to take that floor model TV, eight-track player or full-size mirror off your hands. Like clockwork, you could always count on the “good stuff” disappearing from its temporary resting ground next to the dumpster at the blink of an eye. I have always been amazed what can be balanced on a bike or across a shopping cart.  

I’ve found life in the suburbs requires a little more planning.

It’s a good idea to determine what your condo board’s policy is about turfing unwanted items and how they deal with violators. Stern looks from the gal across the hall may not be the only penalty; you may actually be facing a fine. In my condo, for example, you face a $50 bill. But not to worry. There are options for your unwanted, outgrown and even unsightly items space might not allow for in your condo digs.

Believe it or not, if you’ve tried in vain pawning off building supplies to your family, some things can be re-purposed, helping out a worthy cause at the same time. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore now has two locations in Calgary (one north and one south) and one in Edmonton. While they also accept new materials, furniture and appliances and then re-sell them to the public, with proceeds going toward building Habitat homes, used items are also welcome. The folks will even come and pick up larger donations, such as your old kitchen cabinets, doors and windows, lumber and plumbing supplies. And if you’ve ever wondered where to get a globe for the light your seven-foot-tall ex-boyfriend broke with his huge cranium, you’re in luck, as this is where ‘70s décor goes to die.

And if you’re truck-challenged or have no idea where the dump is, there is always someone willing to haul away your unwanted goods. Perhaps the most recognized name is 1-800-Got-Junk. They’ll take anything for a fee, which usually starts at $111 for a small pick-up. 

If you have enough things you want to be rid of to fill half of a 15-cubic-foot truck it’ll set you back $337, while the entire truck (that would likely cover contents of an entire place), its just around $500, including dumping fees and labour.

Our stained, allergy-inducing carpet didn’t faze them—considering the 19,000 pounds one franchisee had to cart off or the freezer full of rotten seafood another was charged with eliminating, I’d say our helpers got off pretty easy. 

The company, founded in Vancouver by then-college student Brian Scudamore in 1989 (now the largest junk-removal service in the world, with 320 franchises and 40 trucks on Calgary roads alone), prides itself on being environmentally-friendly. As much as 60 per cent of “junk” pick-ups are recycled or donated to non-profit organizations, such as thrift stores, artists and educational programs. Electronics and metal are recycled, and all furniture in working order helps give people a hand up at the Inter-Faith Furniture store. 

The only thing they can’t take, for safety and disposal reasons is paint (call your fire department for this), car batteries and gasoline. 

Too bad. Now I will have to retire my covert disposal attire and abort the late-night mission to our dumpster. 

And I look so good in black.