How to take part—and what other Ontario cities do to boost grassroots reuse

THUNDER BAY — Hey, Thunder Bay! The next Treasure Exchange Days are set for Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21. Clear out the basement or garage, put out usable items you no longer need, and then go treasure-hunting around the city. This fall’s event coincides with Neighbour Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, making it a perfect weekend to share, swap and connect.

How Treasure Exchange Days work in Thunder Bay

• Put items out after 5 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 19) and label them “FREE.”

• Hunt all weekend for finds on your block and across the city.

• Bring leftovers back in by Sunday evening—items not taken aren’t collected by the City.

• Only put out safe, non-hazardous items in good condition.
  These guidelines mirror the City’s event playbook from past Treasure Days and its waste-reduction page.

What Toronto does to power reuse

Toronto layers several programs that Thunder Bay residents can look to for ideas:

• Community Environment Days (Apr 5–Sept 28, 2025): Drive-through events to drop off electronics, household hazardous waste and donate reusable goods to partners—diverting materials from landfill.

• Community Reduce & Reuse Programs: Year-round repair, swap and skills-share workshops hosted across neighbourhoods. Toronto City Hall

• REmarket & partner events: Large, volunteer-driven pop-ups with repairs, swaps and e-waste collection; recent events recorded thousands of participants and tonnes of donations—a proof point that community reuse scales.

• Single-Use Reduction directories: City-maintained lists that help residents shop reuse-first and help businesses cut disposables.

Other Ontario cities with “Treasure Day”-style programs

• Ottawa: Former “Give Away Weekend” evolved into a give-away anytime approach—residents are encouraged to put out free items year-round.

• Kingston: Multiple Giveaway Days each year—curb a reusable item and let neighbours pick it up.

• Guelph: Goods Exchange Weekends on Victoria Day and Labour Day long weekends (Fri 5 p.m.–Mon 7 p.m.).

• Durham Region: Region-wide Curbside Giveaway Days (spring and fall).

Smart tips for a smooth swap

• Group items by type in boxes; add a clear “FREE” sign.

• Keep hazardous or recalled products out of the mix; use City depots for those items.

• Don’t block sidewalks/roads; bring in leftovers Sunday night to keep streets tidy. thunderbay.ca

• Consider posting finds/offerings with a quick photo in your neighbourhood groups.

Why this matters

Grassroots reuse saves residents disposal costs, helps divert waste, and builds neighbour-to-neighbour connection. Thunder Bay’s Treasure Days, paired with Neighbour Day, create a low-barrier way for households to reduce, reuse and share—and to try ideas that have worked in Toronto, Kingston, Guelph and beyond.