What is REmarket?
The Remarket is a community event to promote the REmarketing of usable post-consumer goods that can be REused, REpaired, and REcycled and to Rethink our purchasing decisions by taking Responsible actions in our consumption of material goods.
We do this by: 1) holding a two- day community event for people to drop off and swap unwanted goods to prevent them from being sent to landfill. 2) Partner with organizations to have community drop off boxes in between the REmarket community events. Check out Eco-Zone Recycling Drop Off.
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.
When is it?
The REmarket is hosted every few months. Our next event will be held on May 28 & 29, 2025. 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.
Special Note: Please be advised that video recording and photography may be taking place at this event
The Remarket is a community event to promote the REmarketing of usable post-consumer goods that can be REused, REpaired, and REcycled and to Rethink our purchasing decisions by taking Responsible actions in our consumption of material goods.
We do this by: 1) holding a two- day community event for people to drop off and swap unwanted goods to prevent them from being sent to landfill. 2) Partner with organizations to have community drop off boxes in between the REmarket community events. Check out Eco-Zone Recycling Drop Off.
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.
When is it?
The REmarket is hosted every few months. Our next event will be held on May 28 & 29, 2025. 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.
Special Note: Please be advised that video recording and photography may be taking place at this event
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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January 29 & 30 REmarket
The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood community and 52 volunteers started the year with a very successful REmarket. We saved more unwanted goods from landfill than ever!
For recycling, reuse and disposal we collected:
The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood community and 52 volunteers started the year with a very successful REmarket. We saved more unwanted goods from landfill than ever!
- 52 skids (totalling 17,250 lbs) Donated to Salvation Army
- 4.5 skids of electronic e-waste to RCT
- 13 Bike Repairs by Culture Link
- 167 items brought in to the Repair Café
For recycling, reuse and disposal we collected:
- 202 pairs of eyeglasses to Optic Zone
- 19.6kg Oral Care Items
- 7 blue bins of Household Hazardous Waste
- 61.9kg of empty cosmetic containers to PACT program
- 137 water filters
- Over 3700 pens and markers, 5700 batteries, 20kg of ink cartridges to Staples recycling program
- 1319 Prescription Bottles
- 2208 Single use masks
- 338 Disposable Razors and wrappings
- 24 Smartphones to CNIB (New)
- Over 20,000 Cigarette Butts
- Over 1000 coffee pods and bags
- Over 8000 plastic bread tags
- Almost 800 Aluminum can tabs
- 1475 plastic mesh bags
- 48 Glucose monitors
- 3830 contact lenses and blister packs
- 154 light bulbs
Past REmarkets:
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.
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.
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.
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.
September 21–22, 2022
REmarket 5
Key Changes:
Key Stats:
Key Changes:
- CultureLink Bike Hub joined us as our bike check-up partner.
Key Stats:
- Approximately 300 donors provided 28 skids of goods to The Salvation Army and 6 skids of electronics to RCTO.
- Several bags of items were collected for recycling by Staples, and a table full of items was provided to PFFD Inc.
- A box of prescription glasses was provided to The Optic Zone for reuse overseas.
- Our FreeMarket event once again enabled goods to be used by local community members.
- Repair Cafe TO provided 17 volunteer fixers who repaired 41 items during REmarket.
- CultureLink Bike Hub provided 3 fixers who repaired 10 bikes during their first time participating in REmarket.
- Once again, we were thanked numerous times for organizing the event and told that our efforts are deeply appreciated. The most common question we received was, "When will the next REmarket be happening?"
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:
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.
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
June 14–15, 2023
REmarket 7
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
September 20–21, 2023
REmarket 8
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 the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA).
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 the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA).
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:
- We had a record number of 850 donors and FreeMarket visitors.
- 37 skids of donations (approx 11,000 lbs) were given to The Salvation Army.
- 3.5 skids of electronics were donated to Renewed Computer Technology (RCT).
- 82 items were worked on by Repair Cafe TO.
- 21 bikes were brought in for servicing by CultureLink Bike Hub.
- 3 bags (335 clean bottles) were given to Earthub for reuse.
- 1 large box of prescription glasses was donated to the Optic Zone for redistribution.
- 1 bag of dental hygiene items and 1/3 bag of razors will be recycled by TerraCycle.
- 1.5 bags of empty cosmetic containers will be recycled by Pact.
- 2 large boxes of batteries, 1 box of writing instruments, and 1 box of toner cartridges will be recycled by Staples Canada.
- Just over 7,000 cigarette butts (2,122 grams of waste) will also be recycled by TerraCycle.
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January 24-25, 2024
REmarket 9
We collected more items than ever for recycling, reuse and disposal:
- Over 1000 Donors/visitors
- 32 skids (totalling 9,918 lbs) Donated to Salvation Army -
- 703 kg of electronic e-waste to RCT (including printers, laptops/desktops, monitors cameras, peripherals to be refurbished for reuse)
- Repair Café Toronto volunteers worked on 140 items for 123 people resulting in “a lot of satisfied people in a big tent”
- CultureLink Bike Hub completed small repairs on 12 bikes
We collected more items than ever for recycling, reuse and disposal:
- 287 pairs of eyeglasses to Optic Zone
- 752 Oral Care Items
- 2.5 x 50 litre bins of Household Hazardous Waste
- 4 garbage bags of empty cosmetic containers to Hudson Bay’s PACT program
- 1513 g to Tiny Toy Co.
- 22 Brita filters
- 2 bag of pens, 2.5 box of batteries, 2 boxes of cartridges to Staples
- Over 400 Prescription Bottles to Earthub
- 741 Single use masks
- 176 Disposable Razors and wrappings
- 14 Smartphones to CNIB (New)
- 4600 Cigarette Butts
JUNE 12 & 13, 2024
REmarket 10
Big thanks to the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood community and the help of 40 volunteers who made this event a great success. Check out our short summary of this REmarket's accomplishments!
We collected more items than ever for recycling, reuse and disposal:
Big thanks to the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood community and the help of 40 volunteers who made this event a great success. Check out our short summary of this REmarket's accomplishments!
- 37 skids (totalling 10,360 lbs) Donated to Salvation Army
- 3 skids of electronic e-waste to RCT
- CultureLink Bike Hub completed small repairs on 25 bikes
We collected more items than ever for recycling, reuse and disposal:
- 240 pairs of eyeglasses to Optic Zone
- 16.3kg Oral Care Items
- 5 blue bins of Household Hazardous Waste
- 7 reusable shopping bags of empty cosmetic containers to Hudson Bay’s PACT program
- 191 water filters
- 1 box of pens, 8 bags of batteries, 3 boxes of cartridges to Staples
- Over 700 Prescription Bottles to Earthub
- Over 2000 Single use masks
- 680 Disposable Razors and wrappings
- 19 Smartphones to CNIB (New)
- Over 11,000 Cigarette Butts
- Over 300 coffee pods and bags
OCTOBER 9-10, 2024
REmarket 11 (October 9 & 10 2024)
We are continuing to build on the success of our previous ReMarkets.
Through our ever-expanding REuse, REcycling, and Disposal programs, the following items were collected:
We are continuing to build on the success of our previous ReMarkets.
- We counted at least 1245 donors, recycling drop offs and FreeMarket visitors.
- 46 individuals volunteering at this event; many of them worked multiple shifts over the 2 days
- 34 skids of donations (approx. 5795 kg) went to The Salvation Army
- 3 skids (approx. 1052 kg) of electronic e-waste along with some laptops/tablets/electronic items for reuse were collected by Renewed Computer Technology (RCTO)
- Repair Café Toronto with their 29 volunteers (fixers, apprentices, and support) registered 91 visitors and 129 items for repair
- 13 bikes were brought in for small repairs to be done by CultureLink Bike Hub’s 4 volunteers
Through our ever-expanding REuse, REcycling, and Disposal programs, the following items were collected:
- Approximately 360 black take-away containers and 267 prescription bottles were diverted to Plastic Flux
- 257 pairs of prescription glasses for redistribution by Optic Zone
- 14.6 kg of oral care waste, 208 units of razor products, 148 Brita filters, 200 empty coffee bean bags and 269 coffee pods went to various TerraCycle Recycling programs
- 32.7 kg of empty cosmetic containers went to The Hudson Bay for the pact collective recycling program
- 576 cleaned prescription bottles to be redistributed for reuse by Earthub
- 1458 unusable writing instruments, 51.2 kg of batteries and 12 kg of toner cartridges for recycling at Staples
- 1657 single use masks for recycling by TerraCycle via Canada Strong Masks
- NEW – 1912 contact lenses and blister packs went to TerraCycle
- 5 – 50 litre bins of Household Hazard Waste
- 23 smartphones for CNIB’s Phone It Forward program
- 7373 cigarette butts were dropped off by residents for recycling by TerraCycle
- NEW - 450 plastic milk and bread bag tags were collected for Danielle Cares for Chairs.
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 [email protected] (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 [email protected] (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