October marks Circular Economy Month in Canada and the Guelph Tool Library is teaming up with the City of Guelph and other community collaborators to present a number of activities to promote the benefits of a circular economy. During October, we invite everyone in Guelph to learn about the circular economy, celebrate our individual and collective efforts, embrace circular solutions, and encourage others to take action.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Re:Purpose Fest
Saturday, October 4 ⋅ 11:00am – 4:00pm
Re:Purpose Fest is a Community Recycling Festival and a collaboration between The Guelph Tool Library and the City of Guelph. At this one-day event, we are collecting items on behalf of over 20 different organizations, and hosting a market of vendors that upcycle, recycle, and otherwise keep goods out of landfill with their products and services. Community members are invited to drop off these items so that they can be reused, repurposed, or recycled by the recipient organizations.The event will run on Saturday, October 4th from 11 am to 4 pm in Old Quebec Street Shoppes. More information is available here.
Sewing Machine Repair Workshop
Monday, October 6 ⋅ 6:00 – 8:00pm
We’re so excited to be bringing back our Sewing Machine Repair workshop. Tickets will go on sale to the public on September 2nd, and GTL members will get early access through our September newsletter on August 28th. In this hands on session you’ll learn properly care for your sewing machine and perform basic preventative maintenance and repairs. All tools are provided, please bring your sewing machine to get hands-on experience.
Tickets are $25 for Guelph Tool Library members, and $30 for non members. $40 benefactor tickets help provide subsidized admission for those facing financial barriers. To access a subsidized ticket, please email us directly.
Mending Workshop for Youth
Thursday, October 16 ⋅ 4:00 – 6:00pm
Youth aged 12 and up are invited to attend a workshop on how to mend clothing with visible mending techniques. In collaboration with the Guelph Public Library, registration will be available on the GPL website.
Costume Swap
Saturday, October 18 ⋅ 10am – 1pm
Looking to have a more sustainable Halloween? We’re hosting a Costume Swap on Saturday, October 18th! We’re accepting child and adult costumes of all sizes and styles. Donated items can be dropped off during regular hours October 14th to 16th. Participation in the swap is Pay What You Can, with a suggested contribution of $5. A donation of a costume is not required. RSVP on Facebook and share the event if you can!
Upcycled Pottery Mosaics
Monday, October 20 ⋅ 6:00 – 8:00pm
We are once again offering our popular upcycled pottery mosaics class! Learn how to turn broken ceramics in to something new with instruction from a professional pottery instructor. Each participant will get to make a picture frame.
This workshop is offered in two parts. On Monday, October 20th from 6-8 pm, participants will create and glue their designs, which will then cure over the next week. We’ll pick up where we left off on Monday, October 27th from 6-8 pm with grouting and finishing.
This workshop is $20 for GTL members, $30 for non-members. Class sizes is limited to 10 participants and pre registration is required. All supplies included. Tickets are available now.
The Upcycled Dinner
The Upcycled Dinner celebrates food rescue and food security as part of Waste Reduction Week and Circular Economy Month.
The Upcycled Dinner is a free community meal that celebrates food rescue and food security as part of Waste Reduction Week and Circular Economy Month. – This year, our event will take place on Friday October 24th, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm at All Saint’s Lutheran Anglican Church, 210 Silvercreek Parkway North.
The event is in collaboration with The City of Guelph. We will enjoy our meal made of rescued and upcycled food from 6-7, and then enjoy dessert and presentations from our partners. Please register, as space is limited. The Upcycled Dinner is free to attend, but donations are accepted.
