Owen Sound residents can clear out clutter and find new treasures during the first Goods Exchange Day of 2026, taking place on Saturday, May 16.
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., residents are invited to place unwanted but usable items at the curb in front of their homes for neighbours to claim. This City of Owen Sound initiative aims to divert functional materials from the local landfill, serving as an environmental sustainability tool while offering a convenient alternative to hosting a garage sale.
This year’s event includes a special focus on surplus non-invasive plants and flowers. Gardeners looking to save money or expand their outdoor spaces are encouraged to swap items such as hostas, boxwood plants, and peonies. Other popular items typically found during these events include sporting goods, furniture, small appliances, books, art, tools, toys, doors, sinks, and windows.
To help others distinguish items for the taking from regular trash, residents are asked to tie a white plastic bag to at least one of the items at the curb. Anything left unclaimed must be taken back inside by 6 p.m. that evening. For those out searching for items, the city reminds participants to drive carefully, watch for pedestrians, and obey all traffic laws.
The May 16 event is the first of three Goods Exchange Days planned for the year, with additional dates set for July 18 and September 19. For more information, residents can contact Heidi Jennen, the city’s supervisor of environmental services, at 519-376-4440 extension 3223 or via email at [email protected].
