Since 2020, Réemploi+ has been passionately working in the heart of Lac-Saint-Jean to make the reuse of residual materials a concrete lever for sustainable development.
Réemploi+ is more than just an organization–it embodies an inclusive vision where the environment and people are at the core of its actions.
Réemploi+’s mission focuses on recovering residual materials—particularly hardware items, including CRD waste (construction, renovation, and demolition)—while also creating opportunities for individuals with limited access to employment. This dual social and environmental purpose is grounded in strong values such as the quality of relationships, sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness, and adaptability.
“We believe that sustainable development also involves human inclusion. That’s why we keep eligibility criteria to a minimum in order to include individuals facing social integration challenges.” — Katia Girard, Executive Director for Réemploi+
Founded in 2020, Réemploi+ was created to address a crucial need: preventing reusable materials from ending up in landfills, while building a regional circular economy ecosystem.
“From the very beginning, our goal was to involve not just materials, but people as well, to contribute to a truly integrated sustainable development.
This journey has come with its share of challenges. Building partnerships took time, many meetings, and ongoing communication between very different teams at times,” explains Katia Girard, Executive Director for Réemploi+.
Réemploi+ is more than just a drop-off point or resale space: it’s a true social engine. In 2024, nearly 460 people benefited from professional training offered by the Ateliers R+ workshops, helping them integrate into the workforce.
Furthermore, we believe that choosing reused hardware and household appliances is an eco-conscious decision that helps extend the useful life of objects and reduce the environmental footprint of consumption.
The resale of cooling appliances helps extend their life cycle, therefore reducing waste.
The environmental impact of these actions is significant—the greenhouse gas emissions avoided through reuse greatly exceed those generated by traditional landfill operations.
Sorting, transporting, and capturing reusable materials remain constant challenges for Réemploi+.
To address them, the organization invests in ongoing staff training and the development of collaborations with local businesses to improve sorting directly at the source.
Additionally, raising awareness of Réemploi+ is an ongoing effort. The organization regularly takes part in regional trade shows, broadcasts radio campaigns, hosts environmental segments, and maintains an active presence on social media to educate the public on reuse.
“Being part of the GoRéemploi network is a natural fit. Our mission aligns closely with theirs, especially when it comes to reusing functional cooling appliances that require a specialized handling process.” — Katia Girard, Executive Director for Réemploi+
This partnership paves the way for new collaborations and greater visibility for Réemploi+.
Katia Girard also emphasizes that GoRéemploi plays a key role in directing citizens to the R+ hardware store and promoting reuse among regional stakeholders.
Réemploi+ has ambitious plans to strengthen and expand its impact. Its initiatives include deepening partnerships with construction entrepreneurs to better sort job site residues, securing the organization’s long-term sustainability, and continuing to raise public awareness about reuse.
“With the support of GoRéemploi, we hope to amplify our message and reach an even broader audience. Together, we can make reuse a sustainable and beneficial reflex for our region.” — Katia Girard, Executive Director for Réemploi+
GoRecycle is the only organization recognized by RECYC-QUÉBEC that ensures the responsible recycling of cooling appliances in Quebec. We recycle refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, wine coolers, dehumidifiers and water coolers through nearly 400 drop-off points in Quebec, and over 100 banner pickup partners with the purchase of a new fridge. GoRecycle is a non-profit organization (NPO).
