Thunder Bay residents can declutter and find new-to-them treasures during the city’s semi-annual Treasure Exchange Days on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026. The free event lets people set unwanted household items at the curb for neighbours to take, with no money changing hands.
Residents can place gently-used items at the curb after 5 p.m. on Friday, September 11, labelled “FREE.” Throughout the weekend, others can browse curbside giveaways. Uncollected items must be removed by 7 p.m. on Sunday, or they could be subject to City By-law enforcement.
Treasure Exchange Days has been a Thunder Bay tradition since 2014, when it launched as part of the city’s Solid Waste Management Strategy. The program aims to divert reusable items from the landfill while giving residents a free way to clear out their homes. Over the years, the city has seen measurable improvements, with a 13% reduction in curbside garbage and a 7% increase in material diversion over a five-year period ending around 2018.
The City reminds residents to keep non-giveaway items like bikes, tools, and toys well away from the curb to avoid confusion. Anyone planning to participate can find full details and guidelines on the City of Thunder Bay’s waste reduction page.
