In today’s world, many offices, producers, and consumers subscribe to the linear model – make, use, dispose – borne out of the Industrial Revolution. Our day-to-day lives have been infused with a mechanical quality, made up of buying and selling, need and want. Something breaks, we throw it out and by a new one; or, it doesn’t break, but it’s no longer new. With this intense consumerism taking up most of the world, more creative and less expensive alternatives have been developed as a result. In terms of your furniture, there are many ways you can break the mold of the linear model and subscribe to the circular model, which ensures that you can give your used household items a new life.

You have a few options when it comes to your furniture, beyond just throwing it out or sticking it in storage. The trend of recycling furniture started in the 2010s and has only picked up speed since. As a result, there are many new and creative ways to deal with your old furniture that benefit you, others, and the environment.

Ultimately, you should always consider recycling the item to protect the environment. What does it mean to recycle your furniture? There are a couple options. First, sell it; you can do a garage sale or even if you know of someone who needs furniture, at least you know you’ll be contributing to the circular model, and that your furniture won’t end up in a landfill.

Second, you could refinish or reupholster your furniture. It’s less expensive than buying a new piece of furniture, and can really change the look and feel of your piece.

Third, you could repurpose or upcycle your furniture; for example, you could use an old door as a headboard, or an old ladder as shoe storage, or even changing your old sheets into curtains counts as upcycling. It’s a much more hands-on, creative approach to repurposing your household items.

The final option is also our favorite: donating. When you donate your furniture, you know that it will go to somebody who needs it and will appreciate it. At the JRCC Furniture Depot, we hope this is your choice, and we would love to accept your gently used furniture donations. If you’re interested in donating, please contact us at 416-222-7105 x 500.

Whether you’re moving apartments, or upsizing from an apartment to a house, there are definite costs associated with moving that go beyond buying a new home or agreeing to a new contract. These costs are often forgotten, but are impossible to ignore when you’re in the position of a new homeowner. We’ll go through some of these costs and show you how to prepare for them (two words: savings account). Let’s get started!

Moving 

Beyond deciding where you’re going to live, which is a pretty big cost on its own, there’s also the actual costs of moving. This involves boxes, packing materials, a moving truck or at the very least some sort of vehicle, and gas. Even if you’re planning on moving everything yourself, and you may need help with some of the heavier items, the costs of moving do tend to add up.

There are a few tips here: first, make sure you’ve budgeted for these expenses, if you’re planning on renting a moving truck yourself. Second, you could always reach out to friends and family, and see if they are available to help you move or turn to your community so see if anyone knows of a service which could give you a discount.

Furniture 

Furniture is a big expense, so when deciding to move, be sure to take stock of what you already have and make a list of what you think you’ll need. The best tip here is to prioritize; absolute needs come first, and wants can be purchased down the road when you’re settled and you have enough money saved.

If you already have furniture that you think will last you in your new place, at least until you can get new ones, then you’re set! If not, be sure to do your research, make a budget, take your time, get the furniture you absolutely need first, and enjoy the process.

Utilities 

To hook up all of your utilities – water, electricity, internet, etc. – you will likely have to pay a fee. This is simply an up-front cost to get your services connected, and it is not optional. You should keep this in mind, and definitely check with your service providers before you move!

The important thing to remember in your moving journey is that this is a positive change, and as long as you’re prepared, you’ll be just fine! The second thing to remember is, if you need help populating your home with furniture, please contact us, the JRCC Furniture Depot will help you.

Apartments in the Greater Toronto Area are not the largest, and yet the cost of rent and utilities are exorbitant. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to style your small space in such a way that is stylish, and tricks the eye into seeing more space. There are various tips and tricks which serve to brighten your space, make it look open and spacious, and do not add more stressful costs. We’re going to get into some of them right now.

Rearranging your room

The easiest, most cost-effective action you can take is rearranging your room. For example, if your bed is pushed right against a wall, it can make your space feel much smaller. Try moving it into the center of the room, and this will open up some space.

Clear up the clutter

If you have a lot of clutter on the floor, lamps or storage units, etc., the tip is to remove these; the more there is on your floor, the smaller your space will appear. What should you do with your clutter? Well, in terms of lamps, try to mount them on your wall, or create floating shelving units where you can place a smaller lamp instead. You can also invest in some LED lights, they’re very affordable on Amazon, and they also add some personality and cheer, as many of them flash or change color based on your preferences.

Storage also becomes a concern, because large storage units take up a lot of much needed space and clutter up a space as well. Instead, in your bedroom, you could get a bed with either a space for storage built-in underneath, or one with space beneath the bed which could potentially allow for storage (in your own boxes/packaging). This will free up space and allow for storage without any visible clutter.

Keep the furniture simple

In a smaller space, it’s really important to keep the décor simple. The more you have in the room, the smaller it will feel, so the best approach is minimalism and utility. It’ll look cleaner, clutter-free, and overall more spacious.

Good places to get basic furniture include Target, Winners/Homesense, IKEA, or even Amazon and various vintage stores.

Keep size in mind

Everything in your space should be to scale. For example, your bed should not overwhelm your room, and the other pieces you have in your room should be in direct proportion to the size of your bed.

Use paint

If you’re renting, there aren’t a lot of changes that you’re allowed to make. However, you can always make changes to your furniture. Painting the cabinets of your dresser, or the border of one of your mirrors, can make a huge difference in any space, especially a small one. It always allows for you to show your own personal style.
Use any space you can.

It’s always possible to create storage space – by repurposing other places in your home! Using any available area is possible, even when keeping in mind the need to clean up clutter which we mentioned earlier. You can stack your books on top of cabinets, or add a hanging basket to hold produce or other products, keeping the kitchen counter clear. This is a great way to maximize space while minimizing clutter, and keeping your home organized.

So, there you have it – low-cost ways to open up your space and personalize your apartment! At the JRCC Furniture Depot, we believe everyone should have a warm and comfortable home. If you need help accessing affordable furniture, contact us and we will help you reduce your furniture expenses.

From what we can remember about in-office versus virtual office life, one of the major differences is the furniture. Though it’s often easily ignored and part of the background, office furniture actually plays a great part in office life, as it is cycled out of use fairly often and sooner than it needs to be. Where does this furniture go? The most cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, option is furniture donation, but offices don’t often go this route. Well, if the sense of satisfaction which comes from donating is not enough, offices will soon find other incentives to donate their used furniture, instead of storing or simply tossing what no longer fits the office aesthetic.

Save Money

The rate at which offices go through supplies is such that objects are replaced before they’ve reached their “shelf-life.” Either these appliances and furniture go into storage, which can be expensive and wasteful, as no one is using them, or they must pay for the items to be disposed.

On the other hand, when a company donates their used – but still usable – furniture items, they receive a tax-deductible. As we can see, companies can save money and eliminate storage or disposal fees if their used office appliances are simply donated.

Environmental Impact

As the landfills are rapidly filling up each year, the landfill tax is increasing. The landfill tax refers to a cost that is associated with the disposal of waste at a registered landfill site. This tax was designed in 1996 to encourage businesses and society as a whole to produce less waste, in the hopes that less waste would wind up in landfill sites. By recycling and donating used furniture, the rate at which the landfills fill up may reduce, which could eventually reduce the landfill tax.

By continuing to recycle or donate furniture, offices will be able to reduce their landfill tax little by little each year! Not only are they saving money, but they’re doing their part to divert furniture from landfills, and preventing their long and excruciating decay in a landfill also prevents the equally long and excruciating decay of the planet as a result of these items simply sitting for years and year in a landfill.

Ultimately, it becomes obvious that companies gain more than they lose when they choose to donate their used furniture. Renovo, an office supply company based in the UK, has already begun to make the commitment to being 100% recycled. They subscribe to the circular economy, which allows for items to be used multiple times, and not the traditional linear economy common in office jobs, which is simply make, use, dispose. In doing so, they are maximizing utility and also saving money. Here’s hoping that many other companies follow suit!

At the JRCC, we encourage you to recycle and help those who need furniture gain access to it. If you’re interested in donating your gently used furniture, please check our website or contact us today at 416-222-7105 x500.

From a young age, we have all been told to recycle – water bottles, paper, boxes etc. But did you know this also applies to your furniture?

The recent trend is attributed to the steadily rising rates at which landfills are filling up, and the dangers this presents to the future of our planet. Furniture can take years to fully break down, meaning it sits in a landfill for years, polluting and damaging the land. By recycling your furniture, or buying furniture which uses recycled materials, you are preventing more furniture from going to the landfill and ensuring that less natural resources are used in producing new furniture. This is essential in the fight to ensure a healthy planet and a bright future.

It’s not just consumers who have heard the call to action and responded. Furniture companies are joining the cause and increasingly using more sustainable practices in producing their product. Companies such as Ikea have started using organic cotton from farmers who do not use too much water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, and have also started using recycled materials in their wood products. Another company, Emeco, has been using recycled materials since WWII, producing chairs and tables out of salvaged aluminum for warships and sailors; today, they still make durable furniture out of salvaged metals and items, but for hotels and restaurants.

Even offices and office suppliers, such as Renovo, have committed to ensuring their offices are 100% recycled; this means that their desks, chairs, and other office materials will not be replaced before maximum use is extracted from them, and that they will be donated or reused/repurposed in some way.

So, why should we bother? And why are furniture companies themselves kicking up a fuss? The answer to these questions is simple: there is a clear environmental benefit, which affects everyone. Ultimately, recycling furniture helps more people than it hurts. Buying recycled furniture is not the only way to go – donating your furniture also ensures that it’s given a second life and helps others who are in need.

The JRCC Furniture Depot encourages you to recycle your furniture, and donate it. You’re helping the environment, you’re helping yourselves, and you’re also helping others. If you are interested in donating your furniture to the JRCC Furniture Depot, call 416-222-7105 x500 today!

At the JRCC Furniture Depot, we strive to make protocols and requirements simple and easy to follow to ensure that donations can be received and given to those in need as soon, and as smoothly, as possible. However, in light of COVID-19 related closures, a little refresher on how and what to donate may still be useful!

To begin with, it is recommended to check our website! We always say what furniture we need on our donation page. If we do not specify on our website, do not hesitate to call our office and ask us. We accept any and all kinds of furniture, generally, and are grateful for every donation; however, our warehouse may be full or overstocked with a particular item, and severely understocked in terms of another. As such, we suggest doublechecking before deciding to drop off your donation.

Second, make sure your furniture is in good condition. When an item arrives in good condition, cleaned and ready to use immediately, it saves our organization valuable time while also allowing for the donation to be put to use as soon as possible.

Third, what we ultimately want is to provide an experience which is pleasant, friendly, and memorable, so that when you next decide to donate, we are your first choice. As we are a community, we pride ourselves on our connections with donors and the people we help, and we hope to connect with you!

To send in your donations, please check our website and fill out a form, or call us with your questions and we will most certainly assist you. If you require furniture, please get in touch with us and we will help you as soon as possible.

For some, COVID-19 has led to a remodeling craze, as many were working, studying, and relaxing from home. As such, there developed a plethora of new, creative, and inexpensive ways to make changes to your home. You don’t need to break the bank to freshen up your abode, and we’ll give you a few of our favorite tips here.

A fresh coat of paint works for so many things – a car, nails, even your shoes. Why not your home? You can repaint your cabinets, your walls, or even your front door – pick a nice, bright color and liven up your street, bring light into your home or even open up your kitchen, all with a can of paint.

If you don’t want to paint, you can always add accessories. A nice rug or a set of curtains can certainly change the look of your home, by adding color, personality, and style. With rugs and curtains, size matters – if a rug is going under a table, the rug should be larger than the table, and curtains should be made to fit the size of your window or the height of your wall.

Of course, it is possible to change the look of your furniture to suit your home as well. You can refinish or repaint furniture depending on its material. You can also change the hardware on your cupboards and drawers, which can give your cabinets an update without the cost of changing them completely. Adding cushions to chairs or tablecloths to your tables can also change the look and style of your chair without the high cost – and you can change the tablecloths and cushions more often for less expense, to suit your mood!

If you are more inclined to replace your furniture, the JRCC is more than happy to accept your gently used furniture donations. If you are in need of furniture to create your warm environment, contact us at 416-222-7105 x500 and we will help you.

For years, Canadian politicians have been debating how they will handle the housing crisis in Canada. If you neither own a home nor really pay attention to politics, you’ll be wondering what exactly it means for a country to have a housing crisis. The housing crisis itself is pretty straightforward – what isn’t straightforward is how to solve it. Let’s get into this issue.

The Issue

On the one hand, we have rising costs of living, including not only home ownership but also rent, utilities, etc. On the other, we have people coming into different parts of the country who are able to buy houses and are contributing to the rising costs of housing all across the country. Despite the fact that there are people who can afford homes, there are many for whom the majority of their paycheck goes to their rent or paying their mortgage.

Ultimately, what a housing crisis refers to is that the cost of housing is more than the income of Canadians. On top of this, the population continues to grow, demand for housing goes up, and so do the costs.

The Answer

The answer seems simple – make the cost of housing proportional to the income of Canadians. However, it’s not that easy. For one, provincial and municipal bodies diverge on how to handle demand for housing; this is because there are many who are choosing to move to Canada, and likely not enough housing for everybody. Currently, the population is 38 billion people, but this is expected to rise to 46.5 million by 2043. Where is everyone going to go? And how are we going to build – upwards, or outwards?

At the provincial government level, officials would be comfortable with building upward, but municipalities are aware that skyscrapers may be uncomfortable and irritating to neighbors, and are unwilling to aggravate them and place added strain on themselves dealing with complaints. Places such as Winnipeg, however, have started to extend their borders and are building out instead of up, as they have also had a surge in their population.

So, what does Canada’s housing future look like? It’s impossible to know for sure, one can only guess. What we do know is, if you need help reducing your home-related expenses, we can help you when it comes to your furniture. Please contact us at the JRCC Furniture Depot if you need help, we’ll be happy to help you.

Since it was created in 1984, the JRCC Furniture Depot has grown from a local community network into a large non-profit organization that has provided thousands of households with donated furniture items. In 2019 alone, the JRCC Furniture Depot received over 5,000 donated furniture items, and served over 750 families.

Part of the reason for the Furniture Depot’s tremendous growth is the relationships we have developed with partner agencies all across the GTA. These agencies provide social services to marginalized populations across Toronto and York Region, including people living under the poverty line, newcomers to Canada, and more.

All clients of the JRCC Furniture Depot are referred to us directly by case workers at these agencies. We work with over 60 social service agencies, whose clients are often in need of basic furniture items to create and maintain safe and healthy households.

Let’s take a look at some of the JRCC Furniture Depot’s partner agencies to better understand our clients. Here is a partial list of some of the organizations we work with that help settle newcomers to Canada.

Settlement Assistance & Family Support Services (SAFSS)

SAFSS is a non-profit that focuses on un-served and under-served areas of Scarborough. The organization was founded in 1989 to serve newcomers to Canada, refugees, and victims of all types of violence. Today, they support approximately 13,000 people each year at four different locations in Scarborough. They offer settlement services, counselling programs, legal and housing assistance for victims of domestic abuse, and programming for isolated seniors.

Welcome Centre Immigrant Services

We partner with five locations of Welcome Centres, which are one-stop services that assist immigrants and newcomers to Canada. Welcome Centres provide newcomers with all the services they need to ensure a successful transition into Canada, including English language training, employment support, and legal services.

Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS)

The only Jewish agency in Canada dedicated to the settlement of immigrants and refugees, JIAS has worked with waves of immigrants and refugees since 1922. JIAS offers support to newcomers from all over the world, helping them rebuild social and professional networks and helping find employment opportunities. You can find a full list of the JRCC Furniture Depot’s partner agencies here. You can support the JRCC Furniture Depot’s mission of providing free furniture to those in need, including clients of these agencies. Contact us today to arrange a furniture or monetary donation, or let us know if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer!

Since it was created in 1984, the JRCC Furniture Depot has grown from a local community network into a large non-profit organization that has provided thousands of households with donated furniture items. In 2019 alone, the JRCC Furniture Depot received over 5,000 donated furniture items, and served over 750 families.

Part of the reason for the Furniture Depot’s tremendous growth is the relationships we have developed with partner agencies all across the GTA. These agencies provide social services to marginalized populations across Toronto and York Region, including people living under the poverty line, newcomers to Canada, and more.

All clients of the JRCC Furniture Depot are referred to us directly by case workers at these agencies. We work with over 60 social service agencies, whose clients are often in need of basic furniture items to create and maintain safe and healthy households.

Let’s take a look at some of the JRCC Furniture Depot’s partner agencies to better understand our clients. This is a partial list of our partner organizations that provide services to families and children in need.

Jewish Family and Child Service (JF&CS)

The story of JF&CS dates back to 1868, when the Toronto Hebrew Ladies’ Sick and Benevolent Society raised money to help poor Jewish immigrants to the city. Today it has become an organization of over 120 staff that work to respond to poverty, violence, and abuse in the GTA community. Their programs focus on increasing safety and security, reducing the effects of poverty, and improving mental health and wellness.

United Chesed of Toronto

United Chesed was founded to address the needs of the thousands of Jews living in poverty in Toronto. They offer immediate and discreet assistance for the short-term needs of Jewish people from all level of religious observance. Every year they provide thousands of dollars to cover urgent expenses like rent, heating, and electricity bills for impoverished people. They also collect donations of household items like appliances, toys, and medical equipment, and refer clients to other community organizations and service agencies.

York Region Children’s Aid Society (CAS)

The Children’s Aid Society works to keep children in York Region safe by providing child protection services around the clock. The CAS aims to keep families in York Region together through problem solving and connecting them to essential services.

You can find a full list of the JRCC Furniture Depot’s partner agencies here. You can support the JRCC Furniture Depot’s mission of providing free furniture to those in need, including clients of these agencies. Contact us today to arrange a furniture or monetary donation, or let us know if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer!