Organize a Free Market

Choose a space for your donations

Spread the word

Organize an event

Find volunteers

(Pour une version française, cliquez ici.)

Project Description

Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) organizes a Free Market Collective for the Trent and Peterborough communities. The primary goal of the Free Market Collective is to provide a space for the redistribution of donated clothing and other items. People can come to the Free Market and take as much as they want for free, without donating anything. This is not a bartering or trading system, but rather a space where items that are no longer needed by one person can be redistributed to those who need (or want) them. We estimate that 200 people utilize the Free Market monthly.

In addition to the regular Free Market hours, OPIRG Peterborough provides Free Market stations at the Trent University campus, and hosts an annual Free Market Giveaway. The giveaway is held in the spring to correspond with students moving out and people look to quickly discard items during spring cleaning. This is a large, all-day event that includes free live music and a free vegan barbecue. It typically draws around 400 people.

Environmental Benefits

We are constantly looking for new ways to apply the environmental philosophy on which the Free Market was founded. The goal is to divert goods from heading to the landfill into the hands of those in need.

Expenses and Time Spent

Due to the passion and investment of the Peterborough community, we have been able to minimize the expense of this project. The majority of the resources required for this project have been donated, and much of the Free Market maintenance is done through volunteer hours. Even costs for transporting goods are usually absorbed by volunteers.

Our annual expenses are generally about:

• $200 for space rental
• $450 for publicity (fliers, advertisements, posters, etc.)

Total cost: $650

Approximate time spent per week:

• Volunteers: 26-28 hours running and stocking the Free Market
• Staff: 6 hours working on outreach and publicity
• Board of Directors (unpaid time): 4 hours on outreach and publicity

Total time: 36 to 38 hours

Tools and Materials

Considering the scope of this project, the tools and materials are very limited. We have shelving units, hangers, and drawers located in our market space. We also have collection bins that are stationed at Trent University. We have outgrown our current space and are planning to move in the near future. A straw bale builder's group has volunteered to make shelves for our new market using recycled materials.

Beyond that, this project only requires donations - which we have had no problem acquiring!

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Choose a space for your donations.
OPIRG Peterborough is fortunate enough to have a space in which we can keep our items and maintain regular market hours. You may prefer storing items and having a free yard sale or a Free Market day at a public space like a library or recreation centre. Local non-profit organizations may also be interested in hosting a Free Market event.

Step 2: Get donations.
Finding donations should not be difficult. Find out if there's a local freecycle group in your town/city and post a request for unwanted items.

Step 3: Spread the word.
Pursue multiple methods of gaining interest:

• Contact local environmental groups seeking support or collaboration
• Contact online newspapers to post events free of charge
• Contact local radio stations about making an announcement
• Create a facebook group or event
• Make and distribute fliers that indicate a drop-off spot and ask for donations

Step 4: Organize an event.
If you’re unable to open a designated Free Market space, try having a Free Market day instead. Use the methods outlined under “Spread the word” to publicize your event to the general public. Think about who your target audience is and direct the publicity accordingly. Are you trying to reach...

• Students? Post the event on campus, try to get the event listed on the school’s website and or school newspaper, look up and contact relevant school groups.
• Low income residents? Leave information at local food shelters, rescue and drop-in centres, free clinics, etc. Contact poverty/low income organizations in your community.

Additionally, send information about your event to the public library, minority rights groups, immigration offices, etc.

Step 5: Find volunteers.
If your Free Market project is small scale, you may not need assistance. Otherwise, there are many ways to get help. Again, go through the methods listed in “Spread the word”, asking for volunteers. Ask community groups/organizations if they'll send a request for volunteers through their publicity outlets (most will have newsletters, websites, and facebook groups).

Inform local high schools. Many high schools students are looking for volunteer hours to meet school requirements, or to gain experience that they can add to their resumes.

Be creative and have fun!