You're moving; you probably have a lot of work ahead of you. Read below for useful tips and resources to help you save money and make sustainable choices before, during, and after your move.

Utilize the Monterey City Disposal Service Large Item Collection Service
Many items are difficult to carry or load up for proper disposal. Let MCDS help you do some of the heavy lifting. Large items such as appliances and furniture can be picked up upon request for standard residential customers. Many items are collected at no additional charge. Up to 4 large items can be picked up per appointment, and four appointments are allowed annually. This service is by appointment only. Call 831-372-7977 to discuss the items you need collected and to schedule your appointment.

This service is also available to multi-family complex residents for a fee. Multi-family residents must have the manager or property owner call to make the appointment at 831-372-7977.

Sell or Donate Still Usable Items
When moving, one can lessen their environmental footprint by giving away, donating, or selling non-essential items. You can donate books to libraries and Goodwill. Local non-profit organizations will gladly take still usable household items and clothing. Consider holding an old-fashioned yard sale or selling your items online through websites, newspapers, digital platforms, and apps. The bottom of this page has information on many organizations and resources to sell, consign, or donate your items.

Donate to Last Chance Mercantile
Rather than throwing away reusable goods, consider donating them to the Last Chance Mercantile (LCM); by doing so, you help people and the planet by providing affordable goods to others, supporting our local green economy, and keeping usable resources out of landfills. The LCM supports the Veterans Transition Center of California. Customers are now able to donate in a tax-deductible status.

LCM Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Saturday
Shopping 9 AM - 4 PM
Donations 9 AM - 3:30 PM
14201 Del Monte Blvd., Marina 831-264-6900

Save Money on Packing Materials
Choose to reuse instead of wasting your money buying new packing materials for one-time use. Prepare for your move months or weeks before your moving date by collecting useful items like boxes, bubble wrap, newspaper, and other packing materials. Ask your friends and neighbors to save boxes and packing materials from their online purchases. Many retail stores are happy to give away cardboard boxes they no longer need and would otherwise have to recycle. This strategy will save you money and conserve resources.

College Move-out
Are you moving out of the college dorms or your college apartment? Many of the supplies a person needs while living in a dorm or shared apartment during college are no longer needed when they move on to the next stage of life. Network with those just starting their journey and offer up for sale or for free things like bedsheets and linens that only fit uniquely-sized dorm beds. Repurpose or share storage containers and closet organizers that organize tight living spaces. Don't throw away your textbooks! You can sell them back to the college bookstore, sell them online, and even donate them to charity organizations, like Goodwill, that match your textbook title and edition with students nationwide.

Junk Mail Tip
Don't allow your junk mail to follow you!
First, change your mailing address directly with all your important contacts, such as your bank, credit cards, and cell phone carrier (this can be done online or by calling them). Then, file a temporary change of address with your post office rather than a permanent change of address. This strategy will reduce the amount of junk mail that follows you to the new place. The U.S. Postal Service sells lists of permanent address changes to direct marketers but doesn't bother doing so with temporary address changes.

After the Move

Moving Boxes
Reuse: Offer these items to others on social media or the digital platforms listed below.
Recycle: Flatten and place in your mixed recycling cart or cardboard recycling dumpster. Do you have a lot of boxes? No problem! ReGen Monterey accepts flattened cardboard boxes for recycling at no cost.

Polystyrene Packing Peanuts (commonly known as "Styrofoam")
Reuse: Try local shipping stores and mailing centers to see if they accept this item.
Trash: Polystyrene is not recyclable in your mixed recycling cart. If you cannot find an outlet for reuse, place this item in your trash cart.

Newspaper and Packing Paper
Reuse: Offer these items to others on social media or the digital platforms listed below.
Recycle: Place in your residential or apartment complex recycling container.

Bubble Wrap
Reuse: Try local shipping stores and mailing centers to see if they accept this packaging material. Offer your packing materials to others on social media or the digital platforms listed below.
Trash: Plastic film, such as bubble wrap, is not recyclable in your mixed recycling cart. If you cannot find an outlet for reuse, place this item in your trash cart.

Household Items in GOOD Condition
Reuse: Drop off small furniture, books, clothing, and working electronics or small appliances at local reuse organizations. Offer them to others on social media or the digital platforms mentioned in the resources section below.

LARGE Household Items in POOR Condition
Never put large household items in a cart or dumpster; do not leave them on the street or in a trash enclosure. Read above about the MCDS Large Item Collection Service. This is a convenient way to avoid doing the heavy lifting associated with moving.

Mattress Recycling
ReGen, Monterey
Residents can recycle mattresses and box springs for free at ReGen Monterey (Limit 10 per visit).

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Non-Working Electronics
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes household cleaners, fluorescent bulbs, antifreeze, batteries, oil, paint, and medical sharps. ReGen Monterey offers residential customers free disposal of HHW and electronic waste. Click here to learn more about the safe and legal disposal of HHW and electronic waste.

Quick Links & Resources

Landfill, Recycling, Donations & Hazardous Waste Drop-off Centers

ReGen Monterey
14201 Del Monte Blvd,  Marina 831-384-5313

LANDFILL, MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY & YARD WASTE DISPOSAL
Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 4 PM
Saturday- 8 AM – 4 PM

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE & E-WASTE DROP-OFF
14201 Del Monte Blvd. Marina 831-264-6386
Monday – Saturday 9 AM – 4 PM

LAST CHANCE MERCANTILE
14201 Del Monte Blvd. Marina 831-264-6900
Tuesday-Saturday 9 AM-4 PM
Under the operation of and benefiting Veterans Transition Center of California

Monterey City Disposal Service Curbside Large Item Collection Service
This service is by appointment only at 831-372-7977
Residential customers call for more information and to book an appointment.
Apartment residents must have the manager or property owner call to make the appointment.

Toner & Printer Cartridge Recycling
Printer Cartridges that cannot be mailed back to the manufacturer with a prepaid shipping label can be dropped off at the following locations for recycling: 
Staples
1550 Canyon Del Rey Blvd,  Seaside 831-393-2102
Office Depot
850 Playa Ave, Seaside 831-394-2582
1516 N. Main Street, Salinas 831- 443-3686
Office Max
1241 N. Davis Road, Salinas 831-755-0990

Buy, Sell & Share Digital Resources

Search online for these websites and download apps:
Craig's List
831 Classified
Freecycle
Next Door
Facebook Marketplace

Local Reuse Organizations

For clothing, furniture, and working electronics:

Hope Services, www.hopeservices.org
1580 Del Monte Blvd, Seaside – 831-393-1575
546 Brunken Ave, Salinas – 831-754-5509
https://www.hopeservices.org/how-you-can-help/donate-goods/  

Alliance on Aging Spirals Consignment & Benefit Shop
570 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove – 831-383-5030

Goodwill
571 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey – 831-649-6056
729 Broadway Ave, Seaside – 831-394-1212

The Salvation Army
1850 Fremont Blvd, Seaside – 831-394-6507

Last Chance Mercantile
Monterey Regional Waste Management District, 
14201 Del Monte Boulevard, Marina – 831-264-6900

SPCA Benefit Shop
216 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove – 831-373-5822
26364 Carmel Rancho Ln, Carmel – 831-624-4211

St. Vincent De Paul
1269 Fremont Blvd, Seaside – 831-899-2211
214 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove – 831-642-9387

Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop
26388 Carmel Rancho Ln, Carmel – 831-626-8480

For Clothing Only

Plato's Closet
Buys and sells gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories for teens and young adults.
402 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey – 831-901-3130
https://platoscloset.com/locations/Monterey-CA/

NICE Consignment Boutique
850 Munras Avenue, Monterey
Call 831-649-6423 in advance for an appointment.
Appointments Monday-Friday 12 or 1 PM
https://niceconsignmentboutique.com/

Luna BLU Trading Company
Used, Vintage & Consignment
176 Bonifacio Pl., Monterey – 831-641-0616