For 25 years, the Ressourcerie Transition (Transition Resource Centre) has stood out as a key player in reuse in its region.
Combining environmental mission and social commitment, the organization does much more than divert items from landfills: it gives new purpose to both materials and the people behind them.
The mission of the Ressourcerie Transition is clear: to reduce waste by promoting reuse and the recovery of residual materials, , while supporting the local and social economy. Through its activities, it extends the lifespan of objects, reduces the ecological footprint of consumption, and gives citizens access to essential goods—such as refrigerators and air conditioners—at affordable prices.
Sustainability, solidarity, and innovation are the values that guide all the Ressourcerie’s actions, from sorting to selling, including community engagement and the development of creative solutions to make better use of available resources.
For 25 years now, the Ressourcerie Transition has been growing and evolving. For its members, working there means paying it forward while reducing our environmental footprint. It’s a meaningful approach that blends environmental action with human solidarity.
Like any community organization, the Ressourcerie Transition has faced many challenges. The lack of space for storage and resale has slowed its growth on several occasions. But the greatest obstacle has been gaining recognition for its true role:
“Even though our contribution to waste reduction is significant, we are often seen as just a store, when we are so much more than that,” explains Jean-Yves Renaud, Executive Director of the Ressourcerie Transition.
Despite this, the organization remains committed to its mission, strengthened by its tangible impact on the community.
The sale of used cooling appliances lies at the heart of the Ressourcerie Transition’s social mission.
These appliances—partly recovered through a partnership with the Drummondville Ecocentre—are carefully checked, tested, and cleaned before being resold.
Thanks to this partnership, the organization secures a regular supply of reusable equipment while giving a second life to appliances that would otherwise end up in landfills.
These fridges and air conditioners are then sold at affordable prices, allowing low-income households to properly equip themselves.
At the same time, this activity creates local jobs, particularly for people with limited access to employment, and fully aligns with a circular economy model. The profits are reinvested into social and environmental projects, further strengthening the organization’s positive impact on the community.
The Ressourcerie Transition means:
An inspiring model, paving the way for sustainable transformation.
Like many non-profit organizations, the Ressourcerie faces constant challenges: a lack of financial and material resources, community awareness, complex logistics, and adapting to environmental standards. But with creativity, commitment, and passion, the organization overcomes these obstacles one by one.
Why be part of GoReuse?
“Because there’s strength in numbers,” says Jean-Yves Renaud, Executive Director of the Ressourcerie Transition.
As an active member of the GoReuse network, the Ressourcerie Transition benefits from increased visibility for its used cooling appliance sales, and for all of its activities and social mission.
The network acts as a publicity lever, helping the organization reach its audience more effectively and amplify its impact within the community.
The organization also benefits from communication resources presented by the network, which help promote its offerings and its resource centre. These tools are important in awareness-raising, showcasing field work, and strengthening community ties.
Additionally, through its partnership with GoRecycle, the Ressourcerie Transition ensures the proper and safe recycling of non-functional cooling appliances, supporting its commitment to the circular economy and environmental protection.
The Ressourcerie Transition has ambitious plans for the future: to become an official work integration site dedicated to metal recovery. It’s a promising project the organization hopes to bring to life with the support of the GoReuse network. Because together, member organizations can go further, be stronger, and—above all—act more sustainably.
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).
