Donations
The Zero Waste Market is an initiative of the UBC Furniture Reuse Program.
The program accepts donations of surplus freestanding furniture, office supplies, artwork, and a limited selection of accessory items from UBC Faculties and departments. Items must be in a good and saleable condition and will be inspected by a program representative for suitability prior to acceptance. The program offers the donated items for sale through the Zero Waste Market. The funds raised through sales contribute to the cost of running the program.
Who can donate to the Furniture Reuse Program?
Donations are only accepted from UBC Faculties, departments and on-campus organizations affiliated to UBC.
Students, staff (wishing to bring items in from home), members of the public, or external organizations can donate to their local reuse organization.
How to donate
UBC Faculties, departments and on-campus organizations affiliated to UBC can donate by following the steps below:
1. Take photographs of items you wish to donate.
2. Email the photographs to furniture.reuse@ubc.ca detailing:
- Quantity of each item type
- Location(s) of the items
- Timeline for removal
A program representative will make a preliminary assessment based on the photographs provided. Arrangements will be made to view your items if acceptance into the program seems likely.
What does it cost to donate?
Applying the polluter pays principle, owners are responsible for paying the cost of decommissioning surplus furniture and items. For items accepted into the program, this means the cost of transferring items from their current location to the program’s storage space(s).
Why donate?
Cost avoidance: donors avoid disposal costs and pay lower associated transportation costs.
Reduced administration time: program representatives do all the work to find your surplus furniture a new home.
Climate action: rehoming items lowers UBC’s impact on the environment.
What happens to my donated items?
- Items become the property of the program once they are accepted into storage.
- Items damaged during, or prior to, transportation will be redirected to the materials recovery facility.
- Items will be sold, or otherwise redirected to new homes, at the sole discretion of the program representatives.
- Some items, such as larger furniture may be sold directly from their existing location, please contact us for more details.
What types of items can I donate?
Items that remain in a good reusable condition can be donated. Examples include:
- Seating
- Storage Cabinets
- Personal Storage Towers
- Pedestals
- Desks
- Tables
- Bookcases
- Whiteboards
- Coat Racks
- Artwork
- Office Supplies and Accessories
- Technology
What items aren’t accepted?
- Damaged Items
- Millwork
- Items with ripped/very stained upholstery
- Oversized Furniture
- Outdated Items
- Beds & Mattresses
Can you help me sell surplus UBC owned items at Auction?
- The Furniture Reuse Program can help UBC Faculties, departments and on-campus organizations affiliated to UBC, sell high-value and specialized items. Please contact us for more information.
- Items that are not high-value (furniture, office supplies and accessories, outdated electronics, artwork, and more) can be donated to the program, per the instructions above.
- Contact furniture.reuse@ubc.ca for more information.