Here are links to information and services we think you’ll find useful. Find places to donate, recycle or sell unwanted items.

donate

By donating your new and gently used goods to charity, you give your unwanted items a second life, divert valuable goods from landfill and generate funds to support worthwhile causes. Here are a few options to consider:  

Canadian Diabetes Foundation Clothesline® Program 

Items accepted for collection include clothing, linens, dishes, toys, cell phones, PDA’s, knick-knacks and furniture (in select locations). Call 1-800-505-5525 to find out if furniture can be picked up in your area. 

Cerebral Palsy Clothing Donation Program

Items collected include clothing, computers, furniture, toys, sporting equipment and more. Books are limited to one box per pickup. For details see the list of what is and is not collected on the website, or call 1-877-244-9686.

The Furniture Bank

Located in downtown Toronto, The Furniture Bank assists individuals who have nothing to move into small apartments. Gently used furniture, small appliances and household items are always in need.  Visit the website for a complete list of what’s accepted and drop-off times. A cost-recovery pick up service is available.

Goodwill

Goodwill takes your new and gently used items and sells them community stores throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Central and Eastern Ontario. Revenues enable Goodwill to create jobs and work experience for those who face employment barriers, among them, the young, the old, new Canadians and the disabled. Items must be dropped off.

recycle

For unwanted items that are at the end of their life, consider recycling to keep them out of landfill.  Check out the following services and keep up-to-date on the recycling programs offered by your city or region:

Recycling Organizations

Freecycle™

The Freecycle Network™ is a grassroots and entirely non-profit movement of people who are giving (and getting) things for free in their own towns and thus keeping them out of landfills. To use the service you must join your local group. Membership is free.

Electronic Recycling Association

For pickup of unwanted electronics, call 1-877-9-EWASTE to find out if they operate near you. Pick-up is available for 15 items or more in Toronto. No TV’s or microwaves. Certified disk drive wiping offered.

Regional Recycling Programs

City of Toronto – Garbage and Recycling

As of January 2009, the Blue Bin Program accepts:

Plastic bags: You can recycle plastic grocery and retail bags without drawstrings, metal detailing or hard plastic handles. Remove receipts. Place all plastic bags in one grocery or retail bag and tie handles together.

Foam polystyrene: This includes foam protective packaging, foam meat trays, foam takeout food containers, foam plates, foam egg cartons and foam coffee cups. All food residue must be removed.

Peel Region – Waste Management

York Region – Waste Management

Durham Region -  Waste Management 

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Program - Ontario

Help keep unwanted electronics out of landfill. Click on the link above for information about collection locations and tips.

sell

Turn your unwanted items into extra cash.  Consider the following services to connect to buyers in your area.  If you like the idea of generating cash, but either don't have time to manage the process or are uncomfortable inviting strangers to your home, contact us for more information on help with the sales process.

Kijiji

Kijiji (which means ‘village’ in Swahili) offers free, local, easy-to-use classifieds.

Craigslist

Local classifieds and forums in over 50 countries worldwide - community moderated, and largely free.

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