REmarket is a WRG-led pop-up community service to collect unwanted goods and prevent them from being sent to landfills.
What is REmarket?
We "REmarket" usable post-consumer goods that can be REused, REpaired, and REcycled to REthink our purchasing decisions by taking REsponsible actions in our consumption of material goods.
Where is it?
While it is currently located in the temporary St. Lawrence Market North structure (the tented market at 125 The Esplanade, just south of Front Street), REmarket will be moving to the new St. Lawrence Market North building upon completion of its construction (currently scheduled for spring 2023).
When is it?
The REmarket is hosted every few months. The next one is September 20 & 21, 2023. Check out our events page for more details.
What do we collect?
Please review our detailed rules and guidelines, which can be accessed via the button below.
We "REmarket" usable post-consumer goods that can be REused, REpaired, and REcycled to REthink our purchasing decisions by taking REsponsible actions in our consumption of material goods.
Where is it?
While it is currently located in the temporary St. Lawrence Market North structure (the tented market at 125 The Esplanade, just south of Front Street), REmarket will be moving to the new St. Lawrence Market North building upon completion of its construction (currently scheduled for spring 2023).
When is it?
The REmarket is hosted every few months. The next one is September 20 & 21, 2023. Check out our events page for more details.
What do we collect?
Please review our detailed rules and guidelines, which can be accessed via the button below.
REmarket Stats
Below, you’ll find a brief summary of some of the key details and statistics relating to our previous REmarket events.
These stats are communicated to our stakeholders, community members, and fellow Torontonians to try to demonstrate the tangible impact of our collective efforts to rethink our consumption and disposal habits—anything’s possible when we come together in pursuit of a shared goal!
These stats are communicated to our stakeholders, community members, and fellow Torontonians to try to demonstrate the tangible impact of our collective efforts to rethink our consumption and disposal habits—anything’s possible when we come together in pursuit of a shared goal!
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REmarket 7 (June 14–15, 2023)
Key Changes:
During this REmarket, we continued our usual activities centered around REusing, REgifitng, REpairing, REpurposing, and REcycling, including our newly expanded recycling program, with the support of additional organizations and volunteers, including Toronto's Green Neighbours Network (GNN).
With our largest volunteer team yet, we were able to set new records regarding our positive impact on the environment and our local communities.
Key Stats:
Key Changes:
During this REmarket, we continued our usual activities centered around REusing, REgifitng, REpairing, REpurposing, and REcycling, including our newly expanded recycling program, with the support of additional organizations and volunteers, including Toronto's Green Neighbours Network (GNN).
With our largest volunteer team yet, we were able to set new records regarding our positive impact on the environment and our local communities.
Key Stats:
- A record number of donors (610) made the following contributions:
- A steady stream of donations to FreeMarket
- 33 skids of donations to The Salvation Army
- 3 skids of electronics and e-waste to RCT (Renewed Computer Technology)
- Several usable prostheses and mobility aids were collected, with two items donated to PFFD Inc.
- Through our Recycling & REuse program, we also achieved the following:
- 2 large bags of batteries, 1 large bag of pens and writing instruments, and 1 large bag of toners cartridges were given to Staples.
- 1 large box and 2 large bags of prescription pill bottles were given to Earthhub.
- 1 large bag of dental items and 1 small bag of razors were given to Terracycle.
- 2 large bags of cosmetic containers were given to PACT.
- ½ large box of glasses was given to The Optic Zone.
- In addition, 139 visitors brought 190 items to be fixed by 17 Repair Café fixers/apprentices and 5 general volunteers (with approximately 85% of the items diverted from landfill)
- CultureLink Bike Hub also made 27 repairs with 4 volunteers
Past REmarkets:
January 25–26, 2023
REmarket 6
Key Changes:
In addition to accepting donations for our usual partners, running a one-day FreeMarket, hosting a repair cafe, and recycling select items through Staples Canada, we expanded our REmarket event as follows:
Key Stats:
Over the two-day event, we had 171+ attendees at our FreeMarket and received donations from 419 community members and businesses. Many of these donors also dropped off items to be responsibly recycled through our partners and/or used our Repair Cafe services.
This allowed us to accomplish the following:
Key Changes:
In addition to accepting donations for our usual partners, running a one-day FreeMarket, hosting a repair cafe, and recycling select items through Staples Canada, we expanded our REmarket event as follows:
- We began collecting empty cosmetics containers for recycling through HBC's partnership with Pact.
- We began collecting disposable razors and dental items (e.g., toothbrushes, floss containers, and toothpaste tubes) for recycling through Terracycle.
- We began collecting empty, clean prescription medication containers for donation to Earthub.
Key Stats:
Over the two-day event, we had 171+ attendees at our FreeMarket and received donations from 419 community members and businesses. Many of these donors also dropped off items to be responsibly recycled through our partners and/or used our Repair Cafe services.
This allowed us to accomplish the following:
- 34 skids (~13,736 lbs) of post-consumer goods were donated to The Salvation Army
- 3 skids of electronics were donated to RCT
- 1 load of prosthetics and mobility aids was donated to PFFD Inc.
- 1 large box of eyeglasses was donated to The Optic Zone, who will redistribute them to communities in need overseas
- 145 empty prescription bottles were donated to Earthub, who will contribute them to disaster relief efforts
- 2 large bags of cosmetics containers were collected for recycling through HBC's program with Pact
- 2 large boxes of batteries, 1/2 box of ink cartridges, and 2 large bags of used pens were given to Staples Canada to be responsibly recycled through their partnership with TerraCycle
- 1 large box of dental items was collected for recycling through TerraCycle
- 1 box of disposable razors was collected for recycling through TerraCycle
- Repair Café Toronto provided 18 volunteer fixers, who serviced 100 items (including bikes) for 65 visitors
MAY 18–19, 2022
REmarket 4:
Key Changes:
In addition to accepting donations for the Salvation Army, Renewed Computer Technology (RCT), PFFD Inc., and Optic Zone (as we had done at previous events), we expanded our REmarket event as follows:
Key Stats:
Key Changes:
In addition to accepting donations for the Salvation Army, Renewed Computer Technology (RCT), PFFD Inc., and Optic Zone (as we had done at previous events), we expanded our REmarket event as follows:
- We extended the acceptance of items for recycling by Staples to include writing instruments, batteries, and ink toners/cartridges.
- Repair Café Toronto joined us on the second day of the event.
- On the first day of REmarket, we had our first FreeMarket event, through which donations were shared directly with others in the
community at no cost to them.
Key Stats:
- 30 skids of donations went to Salvation Army.
- 7 skids of electronics went to RCT.
- ~320 people visited FreeMarket
- ~360 people dropped off donations.
- 52 visitors attended the Repair Café with 80 items for repair.
february 10, 2022
REmarket 3:
Key Changes:
In addition to accepting donations for the Salvation Army, Renewed Computer Technology (RCT), and Optic Zone (as we had done at previous events), we expanded our REmarket event as follows:
Key Stats:
Key Changes:
In addition to accepting donations for the Salvation Army, Renewed Computer Technology (RCT), and Optic Zone (as we had done at previous events), we expanded our REmarket event as follows:
- We solicited the donation of mobility aids and prosthetics for distribution by our new charity partner, PFFD Inc.
- We partnered with Staples to collect writing instruments and other items for recycling.
Key Stats:
- 48.5 skids of textiles, books, and household items were donated to the Salvation Army (i.e., 3.5 truckloads).
- 5 skids of electronics were donated to RCT.
- A large number of mobility aids (crutches, canes, walkers, etc.) were donated to PFFD Inc. and will be sent to prosthetic clinics in Guyana, Gambia, and Jamaica.
- A large garbage bag full of eyeglasses was donated to Optic Zone for redistribution overseas.
AUgust 24–25, 2021
REmarket 2:
Key Changes:
Key Stats:
Key Changes:
- In 2021, our REmarket was a much larger event hosted over two days (despite the pandemic, it was a huge success).
- We also had volunteer fixers from the Repair Café repairing household items and volunteers from Charlie’s Freewheels repairing and tuning up bicycles.
Key Stats:
- This event diverted over 50 skids of usable items from being thrown into the garbage. That’s almost 20,000 lbs of diverted waste!
- The Salvation Army picked up 45 skids of donations.
- RCT picked up 6 skids of electronics.
- Homes First picked up 1 skid of donations for their 45 The Esplanade location.
- Repair Café Toronto provided 7 volunteer fixers and several non-fixer volunteers. They worked on 39 items; 70% of the items were fully repaired, and this was done in only 3 hours!
- Charlie’s Freewheels provided 3 volunteers, who repaired 27 (children’s, youth, and adult) bikes.
September 1, 2020
REmarket 1:
Key Stats:
Key Stats:
- 5 truckloads of donations (that’s 47 skids weighing ~16,450 lbs!) were given to the Salvation Army.
We're now accepting donations
Did you know that the WRG is 100% volunteer based? Without any formal funding, we rely on the generosity of our community members to make our events a reality.
Starting in June 2023, the WRG will be accepting cash donations to help fund its operations.
All cash donations are used to pay for the following expenses associated with our activities:
We thank you for your generosity and interest in helping us reduce waste in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood and beyond!
Starting in June 2023, the WRG will be accepting cash donations to help fund its operations.
All cash donations are used to pay for the following expenses associated with our activities:
- Event supplies
- Printing costs
- Recycling program fees, including shipping costs
- Miscellaneous event costs
We thank you for your generosity and interest in helping us reduce waste in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood and beyond!
How to donate
There are two ways in which you can donate to the WRG:
1. Using e-transfer
You can send your donation by e-transfer to treasurer@slna.ca (autodeposit is enabled). In the "message" or "notes" section of the transfer, please ensure that you write "WRG donation," as this is necessary to ensure that the funds are directed to the WRG.
2. Visiting us in person
You are welcome to stop by our next REmarket event, where a donation bin will be provided.
1. Using e-transfer
You can send your donation by e-transfer to treasurer@slna.ca (autodeposit is enabled). In the "message" or "notes" section of the transfer, please ensure that you write "WRG donation," as this is necessary to ensure that the funds are directed to the WRG.
2. Visiting us in person
You are welcome to stop by our next REmarket event, where a donation bin will be provided.
Connect with the Waste Reduction Group