Community Waste Reduction and Reuse Survey

What types of community reuse and reduction activities do you participate in? (Select all that apply)

Repair Cafés

Mending, repurposing, or upcycling workshops

Repair services (e.g., cobblers, tailors, electronics repair places)

Community lending libraries (e.g., tools, sports equipment, outdoor gear, toys)

Swap events (e.g., clothing, books, toys)

Clothing rentals (e.g., designer and formal wear)

Sports equipment rentals (e.g., skis, skates, canoes)

Flea markets

Garage and yard sales

Rummage sales and church bazaars

Online exchange platforms (e.g., Marketplace, Buy Nothing Projects)

Donation drop-off and pick-up locations (e.g., clothing donation bins, thrift stores, non-profit organizations)

Furniture banks

Cloth diapers or cloth diaper services

I do not participate in any of these initiatives

Other (please specify)

How do you usually find out about community reuse or waste reduction events? (Select all that apply)

Social media

Online community groups

Local newspaper (print)

Television advertising or news announcements

Radio advertising or announcements

Flyers/Posters

Community bulletin boards

Community organizations and associations

Environmental groups

City of Ottawa website

City Councillor communications

Email newsletters

Other (please specify)

What motivates you to participate in community reuse events? (Select all that apply)

Convenience: Easy access to reuse and recycling opportunities

Cost savings: Saving money by reusing items instead of buying new

Environmental impact: Making a difference by helping to reduce waste

Giving back: Donating items to support charitable causes

Community engagement: Connecting with neighbours and building a sense of community

Learning new skills in areas like repairing, upcycling, mending

Fun and enjoyment: Enjoying the social aspect at events

Leading by example: Demonstrating positive actions that can inspire others, including children

Other (please specify)

What might stop you from participating in the above types of initiatives? (Select all that apply)

Accessibility and accommodation challenges (e.g., mobility, visual, hearing, and sensory needs)

Distance

Lack of transportation

Don’t have time

Language barriers

Don’t hear about these events and initiatives

Do not like to borrow items

Do not purchase second-hand items

Nothing. I find it easy to participate

Other (please specify)

What items do you usually donate, reuse, or get repaired at community reuse events? (Select all that apply)

Textiles (e.g., clothing, bedding, towels, curtains, rugs, fabric scraps)

Footwear

Toys

Baby and children’s items

Books

Bicycles

Sports equipment

Outdoor gear

Furniture

Kitchenware and other household goods

Home and garden tools

Art supplies

School and office supplies

Small appliances

Electronics

None

Other (please specify)

What types of existing reuse and reduction community initiatives could benefit from support from the City? (Select up to three options)

Repair Cafés

Community lending libraries (e.g., tools, outdoor gear, toys)

Swap events

Garage sales

Online exchange platforms (e.g., Buy Nothing Projects)

Mending, repurposing, or upcycling workshops

Donation opportunities (e.g., clothing donation bins, thrift stores, non-profit organizations, charities)

Cloth diaper services

Reusable container programs

I do not participate in any of these initiatives

Other (please specify)

How could the City help support the initiatives you selected?

What new types of waste reduction and reuse community initiatives should the City introduce? (Select up to three options)

Permanent reuse centre for a range of items

Donation stations at City facilities

Waste reduction workshops (e.g., food waste)

Vouchers to get broken items repaired at local businesses

Zero Waste awards to encourage individuals or community groups to start or expand initiatives

Compost giveaway events

Other (please specify)

What might stop you from donating or reusing textiles, such as clothes, shoes, or bedding? (Select all that apply)

Not trusting donation bins and what happens to the items

No easy places to donate

Not enough time

Not knowing where to donate

Feeling uncomfortable with others using my stuff

No way to get to donation places

Preferring new clothes

Not caring much about keeping textiles out of the trash

No barriers, there are plenty of options

Other (please specify)

10.

What textiles do you find difficult to give away or donate for reuse? (Select all that apply)

Gently used clothing in good condition

Clothing that needs repair

Heavily worn, damaged, or stained clothing

Gently worn shoes

Heavily worn or damaged shoes

Undergarments and socks

Home textiles (e.g., bedding, tablecloths, towels)

Home decor textiles (e.g., carpets, rugs, drapes, curtains)

Branded items (e.g., uniforms, volunteer or promotional t-shirts)

Reusable bags

Animal bedding and clothes

Other (please specify)

11.

What may stop you from reusing or donating bulky items? (Select all that apply)

Lack of organizations that accept these items

Lack of organizations that collect these items from my home

Too expensive to have items collected

Items are physically too heavy or hard to move

No appropriate transportation to bring the items to a collection or donation location

Too much time required to coordinate a donation or search for reuse options

Nowhere to store the items when not in use

Reusing or donating bulky items is not a priority

It is easier to put it out as garbage

No barriers, there are plenty of options

Other (please specify)

Bulky items are non-hazardous large items that don't fit in a garbage container but are accepted by the City, such as furniture, mattresses, gardening equipment, bicycles, etc. For more information, please see the one-pager.

12.

Do you have any other feedback you'd like to share?