Your old washer has been sitting in the basement for months, or the kitchen fridge is on its last legs. Before you push it to the curb, know that in Sherbrooke, several options exist, and only one of them sends the appliance to landfill.
First: is it really the end?
An appliance that no longer works isn’t necessarily finished. A pump, heating element or thermostat failure can often be repaired for a fraction of the price of a new appliance.
Repair is especially worth considering if the appliance is less than about ten years old, if it’s a mid-range or high-end model, and if it’s its first major breakdown. Our guidelines are in the repair or replace FAQ.
And if the appliance is recent, check the warranty first. Since October 5, 2026, new appliances bought in Quebec are covered by a legal warranty of good working order of 5 or 6 years depending on the appliance, free repair included.
Option 1: Sherbrooke’s ecocentres
The City runs two ecocentres that accept appliances:
| Ecocentre | Address | Borough |
|---|---|---|
| Michel-Ledoux | 1000, rue Léon-Trépanier (access via boulevard Lavigerie) | Fleurimont |
| Rose-Cohen | 365, rue Pépin (access via boulevard de Portland or boulevard Industriel) | Les Nations |
For residents of Sherbrooke or Stoke, access is free with no limit on visits, with proof of residence. The quantity is limited to 1.8 m³ per visit, which leaves plenty of room for a large appliance.
Bring ID showing your address: driver’s licence, lease, tax bill or utility bill. Plan for help unloading too, since staff aren’t required to do it.
Hours change with the seasons. The ecocentres are also closed on some statutory holidays. Check the current hours before you go, or call 819 821-5858.
Option 2: bulky item collection
The City offers a home collection by registration. A few things to know:
- the service runs from April to mid-October, with registration online or by phone;
- the truck only picks up the items listed on the form;
- bulky items go at the curb from 7 p.m. on Sunday evening, or before 7 a.m. on Monday morning, in the agreed week;
- the City considers this collection a last resort, because most of these items end up in landfill.
Off season, the City asks residents to keep bulky items at home or bring them to an ecocentre or the transfer centre.
Option 3: pickup by the retailer
If you’re buying a new appliance, ask whether pickup of the old one is included with delivery. Many retailers offer this service, especially for refrigerating appliances. It’s often the simplest route: you have nothing to carry.
Ask before you sign, not on delivery day.
Why the fridge needs special attention
A refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or wine cooler contains refrigerant gases. These appliances can’t be treated like an old piece of furniture: the gases must be recovered through a dedicated channel.
That’s why many municipalities refuse refrigerating appliances in regular collection. Use an ecocentre or retailer pickup.
Never remove the compressor or the tubing of a refrigerating appliance yourself.
In summary
| Your situation | The best option |
|---|---|
| The appliance is less than 10 years old and it’s its first breakdown | Have the repair assessed |
| New appliance bought after October 5, 2026 | Check the warranty of good working order |
| You’re buying a replacement | Ask for pickup on delivery |
| You can transport the appliance | Michel-Ledoux or Rose-Cohen ecocentre |
| You can’t transport it, between April and mid-October | Bulky item collection by registration |
Before getting rid of it, have the breakdown assessed. The technician tells you frankly whether it’s worth repairing. Call 438 798-5778 or fill in a quote request. We can serve you in English over the phone.
Sources
- Ville de Sherbrooke, “Écocentres et centre de transfert” (in French)
- Ville de Sherbrooke, “Collecte des résidus encombrants” (in French)
Hours, fees and registration dates change from one season to the next. Always check the latest information on the City of Sherbrooke website before you go.