The swap shop

The swap shop

The swap shop is a service that keeps surplus furniture, office equipment, and supplies in use and helps reduce campus waste and supports sustainability efforts.

Check the swap shop if you need office items for your department. You can often find items such as filing cabinets, chairs, desks, and tables. You can also find a new home for the office items you can no longer use.

Visit the swap shop

This service is available to university departments, students, staff, librarians, and faculty members and is open Wednesdays between 12 and 2 PM (closed in the summer). TCard identification is required. 

Location

The swap shop is in the South Borden Building at 487 Spadina Cres. Enter from Ursula Franklin Street. Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to claim an item

U of T departments 

  • U of T departments can claim an item and remove it from the swap shop on the same day, or tag it and remove it from the swap shop within the next two weeks. 
  • If the item remains in the swap shop beyond the two-week pickup period, the item becomes available for another department or U of T community member to claim.
  • Departments can request to renew the tag once in person to allow for extra time to pick up the item. This request cannot be made over the phone or by email. There is no limit to the number of things that departments can claim.

Personal use (U of T students, staff, librarians, and faculty)

  • U of T students, staff, librarians and faculty members can tag up to two items from the swap shop for personal use per week. The tags then remain on the items for two weeks to give university departments a chance to claim the item as departments are given priority over personal use. If the item remains unclaimed by a university department during the two-week period, the item can then be picked up. You must pick up the item at the end of the two-week period, or show up in person at the swap shop and advise that you will pick up the item the following week. 
  • After the following week, if the item has not been picked up, the tag will expire and the item will be available again for other claims.

Picking up an item 

  • Before removing an item from the swap shop, you must have your tag verified by a swap shop staff member. 
  • Items being claimed for departmental use must be verified by either a letter (on department letterhead) or an email from a person with departmental signing authority.
  • Campus Moving can help with departmental moves. For personal claims, the claimer is responsible for their own transport. Shop staff will not help move the items.
  • The swap shop is not responsible for any injuries incurred while moving the items or as a result of using them.

Sending items to the swap shop

  • U of T departments can send their unwanted items to the swap shop. Items must be in good reusable condition. Swap shop staff have the right to accept or reject items based on their condition, swap shop capacity, and other factors.
  • Departments wishing to send items to the swap shop must complete the form linked here.
  • Email the Waste Management and Recycling team at recycling@utoronto.ca to coordinate before sending items to the swap shop.
  • Unacceptable items include food, plants, laptops, computers, lab equipment (exceptions apply), hazardous material, liquids, and food equipment.
  • The swap shop is not responsible for items sent to the shop by mistake.

Questions 

The Waste Management and Recycling team does not keep a list of what kinds of items are available at the swap shop. If you have other questions about the swap shop, please email the team at recycling@utoronto.ca.