Bulky Item Guide
How to Properly Rehome or Dispose of Bulky Items During Move-Out, 2025
Every year during move-out season, countless mattresses, couches, and other large items are abandoned in the streets of Isla Vista. These items don’t just magically disappear. While some may be picked up by individuals looking to reuse or resell them, most are ultimately collected by MarBorg and taken to the landfill. Help reduce unnecessary waste by planning ahead. Whether you're moving, storing, selling, donating, or responsibly disposing of your bulky items, a little preparation goes a long way in keeping Isla Vista clean and sustainable.
We know move-out season can be overwhelming - between final exams, graduation celebrations, and saying goodbye to friends, it’s a lot to manage. That’s why it's never too early to start preparing. Use the resources below to create a plan for your large household items before move-out sneaks up on you.
Donate to UCSB's GIVE Benefit Sale:
If your large item is in good condition, donate it to UCSB's GIVE Benefit Sale June 11th - June 20th. Drop-off sites are located on UCSB campus and in Isla Vista. Click here for more info on drop-off sites, drop-off hours, and more details.
Donating to the GIVE Benefit Sale is easy and convenient because they have drop-off sites located on campus and in Isla Vista - you don't have to drive into Goleta to donate. Additionally, they accept any item in good condition, while many thrift stores do not accept large household items in June due to a surplus of donations.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Any item in good condition will be accepted | Only available June 11th - June 20th | |
| Drop-off sites are conveniently located on campus and in Isla Vista | Requires drop-off, which can be chalenging if you don't have a personal vehicle. | |
| Donations go towards a good cause | ||
| Sustainable |
Sell Online:
If your item is in good condition, sell it on Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Free & For Sale, or Craigslist. List the item well before your move-out date and set the pickup time for the day you move out. This way, you can use the item until you leave while securing a buyer in advance!
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Available year-round and last minute | Requires a fair amount of coordination (listing the item, communicating with the buyer, etc) | |
| The buyer can pick up the item for you, so personal transportation is not required | Can be difficult to find buyers if you are selling last-minute | |
| You can make some extra money | ||
| Sustainable |
Give Away Online:
If you need to get rid of an item quickly or it’s in poor condition, try listing it online for free before placing it on the curb. This boosts the chances of someone reusing it instead of it being picked up by MarBorg and sent to the landfill. During peak move-out (June 11–June 27), items on the curb are more likely to be collected by MarBorg. While listing your item online helps reduce waste, it’s not a guarantee. To avoid this, connect with someone first, confirm their interest, and arrange a pickup—so your item goes straight to someone who needs it. You can also list the item well before your move-out date and set the pickup time for the day you move out. This way, you can use the item until you leave while securing someone who wants to pick it up for free in advance!
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable - only if someone picks up your item before MarBorg does | There's no guarantee that someone will pick up your item and re-home it. It could end up in the landfill if MarBorg collects it first | |
| Available year-round and last minute | ||
| Someone will pick up the item for you, so personal transportation is not required |
Donate to a Local Thrift Store:
While this option is technically available year-round, most thrift stores do not accep bulky items during move-out due to a surplus of donations. Donate early in the year or call ahead to see if your local thrift store is accepting bulky items. Click here for a list of local thrift stores.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable | Stores will most likely not accept bulky items during move-out | |
| Available year-round | Requires personal transportation for drop-off |
LAST RESORT: Send to the Landfill:
The only items that should be sent to the landfill are those in unusable or unrestorable condition, and even those can usually be saved with a bit of extra effort and care. However, if you are sending items to the landfill, please keep these points in mind:
STARTING ON WEDNESDAY 6/11 and ENDING at 12pm FRIDAY 6/27 at noon, MarBorg will have trash trucks out in Isla Vista all day collecting bulky items and other discarded material from the Curbside as well as emptying trash bins.
- DO place your items outside on the curb line every morning during Move Out (6/11-6/27)
- DO NOT place items on curb after 5pm.
- DO NOT block access to the sidewalk, keep in mind neighbors who may need to use it while roads are busy during move-out.
- DO consolidate any loose items in trash bags before placing them in/near your binS or on the curb. MarBorg WILL NOT clean up your scattered trash and litter.
- Marborg will NOT go down driveways or onto private property to pick up any bulky items placed next to a dumpster or dumped at the rear of a property. There will be no exceptions.
- The following materials are NOT accepted at curbside: green waste, construction material (e.g. carpet, lumber, paint, etc.), any remodeling material, including dry wall, kitchen, or plumbing fixtures, and hazardous waste.
- Except at the curb line for disposal during Move Out, ANY upholstered indoor furniture stored on the exterior of ANY structure in Isla Vista is a violation of Chapter 17-9 and is eligible for a $535 citation; no exceptions. This is enforced year-round!
REGULAR TRASH PICK-UP:
- Your regular MarBorg trash service will continue during move-out
- DURING MOVE OUT MarBorg will empty dumpsters, recycle containers, and trash bins DAILY, OR AS NEEDED.
- FULL DUMPSTER? Before overflowing, call Marborg at 805-963-1852 and request service.
- Green waste, construction material, carpet, paint, lumber, remodeling material, drywall, kitchen, or plumbing fixtures, and green and hazardous waste DO NOT go into your regular trash bin. Please contact Marborg Industries for additional services to remove construction material at an added cost. You may also drop these off yourself at the South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station.
- For more information visit: www.lessismore.org/material_categories/6-trash/