Where to Donate Tools in Toronto

Places That Accept Tool Donations in Toronto

Toronto has several options for donating used tools, including scheduled pickup, a community tool library, a skilled-trades education program and a thrift store that specifically accepts small tools.

The best option depends on what types of tools you have, how large the collection is, whether the tools still work and whether you want pickup or prefer to drop them off.

This guide covers practical Toronto options for donating hand tools, power tools, woodworking tools, automotive tools, plumbing and electrical tools, toolboxes, organized hardware, handheld garden tools and other workshop equipment.

Toronto Tool Donation Options

#1 DonateYourStuff.ca

DonateYourStuff.ca provides free scheduled donation pickup for qualifying used tools and workshop supplies throughout Toronto.

Donation method: Free scheduled pickup.

Accepts: Hand tools, working portable power tools, woodworking and carpentry tools, automotive and mechanical tools, plumbing tools, electrical and home-repair tools, measuring tools, clean painting tools, small toolboxes, organized hardware, extension cords, work lights, compatible batteries and chargers, and handheld yard and garden tools.

Locations and hours: Pickup is available throughout Toronto rather than through a public drop-off location. Pickup dates and arrival windows are arranged for qualifying requests.

Important details: Tools must be safe, functional and suitable for continued use. Power tools must turn on and perform their main functions. Guards, handles, switches, plugs and other safety components must remain intact.

Cordless tools should include compatible batteries and chargers whenever available. Batteries cannot be swollen, leaking, cracked or heavily corroded.

Hand tools should have secure handles and working moving parts. Tools with severe rust, structural damage or unsafe modifications may be declined.

DonateYourStuff.ca also accepts manageable quantities of organized screws, nuts, bolts, washers, anchors, brackets, hinges and similar hardware when securely packed and clearly organized.

Large stationary woodworking machinery, powered lawn equipment, fuel-powered tools, construction materials, scrap metal, chemicals, opened paint and other hazardous materials are not accepted.

Pickup is particularly useful for several toolboxes, a garage or workshop cleanout, an estate tool collection or tools combined with other accepted donations.

Official Information:

Tool Donation Pickup
Request a Donation Pickup

#2 Toronto Tool Library

Toronto Tool Library accepts donated tools that can be added to or support its community tool-sharing inventory.

Donation method: Contact first or bring approved tools to the Tool Library.
Accepts: Tool donations that are useful for its lending collection. Its current inventory includes hand tools, power tools, automotive tools, carpentry and woodworking equipment, electrical tools, plumbing tools, home-maintenance tools and yard and garden equipment.
Location: 192 Spadina Avenue, Unit 001, Toronto, ON M5T 2C2.
Important details: Because Toronto Tool Library already maintains a large inventory, contact the organization before bringing a large collection or unusual equipment.

Tell staff what you have, particularly if you are donating power tools, specialty equipment or several boxes from a workshop.

Tools accepted into the library can remain in circulation and be borrowed by Toronto Tool Library members for home repairs, renovations, woodworking, gardening and other projects.

Official Information:
Toronto Tool Library
Toronto Tool Library Location and Contact Information

#3 Skills Ontario – Tools for Schools

Skills Ontario’s Tools for Schools program connects donated tools and equipment with Ontario schools that provide skilled-trades and technology education.

Donation method: Submit the tool-donation form and arrange the donation with the program.
Accepts: New and gently used power tools, hand tools, specialized trades equipment and selected materials and supplies.
Service area: Donations are coordinated across Ontario rather than through a general public Toronto drop-off location.
Important details: The program supports hands-on education in areas such as construction, electrical, welding, automotive, plumbing and other skilled trades.

This can be particularly useful for a contractor, tradesperson, business or household with good-quality tools that may be appropriate for a school shop or skilled-trades classroom.

Complete the donation form with information about the tools or equipment you have. The program coordinates suitable donations based on school needs.

Official Information:
Skills Ontario Tools for Schools
Tools for Schools Tool Donation Form

#4 Second Journey Thrift

Second Journey Thrift is a Toronto thrift shop that specifically lists small tools among the reusable items it accepts.

Donation method: Drop-off.
Accepts: Small tools along with housewares, small appliances, books, games, office supplies and other reusable goods.
Location: 606 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y3.
Important details: This option is best for a small number of household tools rather than large machines or an entire workshop.

Tools should be clean, reusable and manageable for the store.

Second Journey Thrift does not currently provide residential donation pickup.

Official Information:
Second Journey Thrift

#5 City of Toronto – Tool Recycling and Disposal

Tools that are broken, unsafe or no longer suitable for donation may need to leave the reuse stream.

Donation method: Drop-off for recycling or disposal.
Accepts: City Drop-Off Depots accept tools as part of their metal stream.
Important details: This should be the fallback for tools that cannot reasonably be used again.

Remove batteries from battery-powered tools before taking them to a City Drop-Off Depot. Batteries require separate handling.

Power tools are not included in the City’s regular electronic-waste program, so do not place them with computers, televisions or other e-waste unless the City’s current Waste Wizard specifically directs you to do so.

Fees may apply depending on the type and weight of material being dropped off.

Official Information:
City of Toronto Drop-Off Depot Accepted Items
City of Toronto Waste Wizard

How to Choose Where to Donate Tools

The main decision comes down to how many tools you have, what types they are and whether they are better suited to general reuse or a specialized tool program.

Pickup or Drop-Off?

If you have several toolboxes, multiple power tools, a garage cleanout, an estate workshop or tools combined with other qualifying donations, scheduled pickup may be easier than transporting everything yourself.

For a few hand tools or one manageable toolbox, a Toronto drop-off option may be more practical.

Household Tools or a Large Workshop Collection?

A small group of screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, wrenches and other household tools is relatively easy to donate.

A full workshop may contain:

• Hand tools
• Power tools
• Automotive tools
• Woodworking equipment
• Electrical tools
• Plumbing tools
• Specialty trade tools
• Hardware
• Toolboxes
• Accessories

For a large collection, give the receiving organization a general description before moving everything. You do not need to identify every individual wrench, socket or drill bit.

Donate or Recycle?

Safe, working tools should remain in the reuse stream whenever possible.

Tools with serious electrical damage, structural failure, dangerous cracks, missing safety components or other problems that make continued use unsafe should be recycled or disposed of properly instead.

What Condition Should Donated Tools Be In?

Used tools do not need to look new, but they must remain safe and practical to use.

Hand Tools

Check hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, clamps, saws and similar tools for:

• Loose handles
• Split wooden handles
• Severe rust
• Cracked metal
• Broken moving parts
• Dangerous sharp edges
• Missing essential components

Surface wear and ordinary cosmetic marks are different from structural damage.

Power Tools

Plug in corded tools or install a charged battery and test the main functions.

Check:

• Power switches
• Triggers
• Speed controls
• Chucks
• Blades
• Guards
• Handles
• Cords
• Plugs
• Battery connections

A power tool should not be donated if it sparks abnormally, smells burnt, repeatedly shuts off or has exposed electrical wiring.

Cordless Tool Batteries

Inspect batteries for:

• Swelling
• Cracks
• Leakage
• Heavy corrosion
• Damaged terminals
• Heat damage

Do not donate damaged lithium-ion batteries.

Chargers and Power Cords

Check chargers and cords for:

• Exposed wiring
• Cracked insulation
• Melted areas
• Broken plugs
• Unsafe repairs

Keep the correct charger with a cordless tool whenever possible.

Automotive and Mechanical Tools

Socket sets, ratchets, torque wrenches and other mechanic tools should be free from heavy oil, fuel and grease.

Do not include containers holding gasoline, motor oil, solvents or unidentified automotive liquids.

Measuring and Electrical Tools

Test electronic measuring equipment such as:

• Multimeters
• Voltage testers
• Laser levels
• Stud finders
• Electronic measuring devices

Battery compartments should be clean and free from leaking batteries.

Garden Tools

Remove heavy dirt and plant material from:

• Trowels
• Pruning shears
• Loppers
• Rakes
• Hoes
• Small shovels
• Garden forks

Handles should be secure and metal parts should not have severe structural rust.

How to Prepare Tools for Donation

Clean the Tools

Remove:

• Heavy dust
• Sawdust
• Soil
• Grease
• Oil residue
• Dried debris

Tools do not need to be polished, but they should be reasonably clean.

Test Power Tools

Confirm that powered tools turn on and perform their main functions before packing them.

Do not include a broken power tool in a working-tool donation without clearly identifying the problem.

Keep Batteries and Chargers Together

Match cordless tools with their:

• Batteries
• Chargers
• Cases
• Handles
• Guards
• Attachments

Label batteries or chargers when it may not be obvious which tool they belong to.

Keep Tool Sets Together

Keep matching:

• Socket sets
• Wrench sets
• Screwdriver sets
• Drill-bit sets
• Hole-saw sets
• Allen-key sets
• Router-bit sets

together whenever possible.

Secure Sharp Tools

Protect:

• Saw blades
• Chisels
• Utility tools
• Drill bits
• Cutting tools

Do not place loose sharp tools inside garbage bags.

Use a toolbox, rigid container or other secure packaging.

Organize Loose Hardware

Separate screws, nails, nuts, bolts, washers, anchors and other small hardware by type when practical.

Use:

• Parts organizers
• Small containers
• Sealed jars
• Clearly labelled boxes

Do not dump loose sharp hardware into an open box.

Keep Accessories With the Correct Tool

Include:

• Chuck keys
• Guides
• Dust bags
• Side handles
• Guards
• Wrenches
• Attachments
• Manuals
• Cases

when available.

Do Not Overload Toolboxes

A large metal toolbox can become extremely heavy.

Divide a collection into manageable containers rather than creating one box that cannot be safely lifted.

Label Large Collections

Useful labels include:

• Hand Tools
• Power Tools
• Automotive Tools
• Woodworking Tools
• Plumbing Tools
• Electrical Tools
• Hardware
• Batteries & Chargers

For complete packing and pickup staging information, review How to Prepare Your Donations.

Toronto Tool Donation Questions

Can I donate an entire workshop or inherited tool collection?

Yes.

Large collections from a garage, basement, workshop or estate can be donated without identifying every individual tool first.

Give the receiving organization a general description of what you have, such as several toolboxes, hand tools, power tools, automotive tools or woodworking equipment. Photos can also help with a large or unusual collection.

Can I donate old tools that are still working?

Yes.

A tool does not need to be new or a current model to remain useful.

Older hand tools and corded power tools can still have many years of use left when they remain safe and functional.

Can I donate specialty trade tools?

Possibly.

Carpentry, plumbing, automotive, electrical, machining and other specialty tools may be useful to a tool library, skilled-trades program or another reuse organization.

For unusual or professional equipment, contact the organization first and describe what you have.

Can a contractor or business donate surplus tools?

Yes.

Businesses, contractors and tradespeople often end up with duplicate tools, older equipment or surplus inventory that remains perfectly usable.

For larger commercial donations, provide an inventory or general description before arranging the donation. Skills Ontario’s Tools for Schools program specifically works with tool and equipment donations that can support skilled-trades education.

Can I donate an incomplete socket set or mixed hand tools?

Often.

A few missing sockets or unmatched hand tools do not automatically make the remaining tools useless.

Keep useful pieces organized and clearly separated. Do not mix badly broken, severely rusted or unsafe tools into an otherwise usable collection.

Can I donate a toolbox with the tools still inside?

Yes, if the toolbox is manageable and the contents are safe.

Make sure drawers and lids close securely and that loose sharp tools cannot fall out during transportation.

If a toolbox is extremely heavy, divide the tools between several manageable containers.

Donation Pickup Available Throughout Toronto

DonateYourStuff.ca tool donation pickup is available throughout Toronto for qualifying donations, including downtown Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, York and neighbourhoods across the east and west ends of the city.

A–D

Agincourt North, Agincourt South-Malvern West, Alderwood, Annex, Avondale, Banbury-Don Mills, Bathurst Manor, Bay-Cloverhill, Bayview Village, Bayview Woods-Steeles, Bedford Park-Nortown, Beechborough-Greenbrook, Bendale South, Bendale-Glen Andrew, Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Black Creek, Blake-Jones, Briar Hill-Belgravia, Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills, Broadview North, Brookhaven-Amesbury, Cabbagetown-South St. James Town, Caledonia-Fairbank, Casa Loma, Centennial Scarborough, Church-Wellesley, Clairlea-Birchmount, Clanton Park, Cliffcrest, Corso Italia-Davenport, Danforth, Danforth-East York, Don Valley Village, Dorset Park, Dovercourt Village, Downsview, Downtown Yonge East and Dufferin Grove.

E–H

East End Danforth, East L’Amoreaux, East Willowdale, Edenbridge-Humber Valley, Eglinton East, Elms-Old Rexdale, Englemount-Lawrence, Eringate-Centennial-West Deane, Etobicoke City Centre, Etobicoke West Mall, Fenside-Parkwoods, Flemingdon Park, Forest Hill North, Forest Hill South, Fort York-Liberty Village, Glenfield-Jane Heights, Golfdale-Cedarbrae-Woburn, Greenwood-Coxwell, Guildwood, Harbourfront-CityPlace, Henry Farm, High Park North, High Park-Swansea, Highland Creek, Hillcrest Village, Humber Bay Shores, Humber Heights-Westmount, Humber Summit, Humbermede and Humewood-Cedarvale.

I–L

Ionview, Islington, Junction Area, Junction-Wallace Emerson, Keelesdale-Eglinton West, Kennedy Park, Kensington-Chinatown, Kingsview Village-The Westway, Kingsway South, L’Amoreaux West, Lambton Baby Point, Lansing-Westgate, Lawrence Park North, Lawrence Park South, Leaside-Bennington, Little Portugal and Long Branch.

M–P

Malvern East, Malvern West, Maple Leaf, Markland Wood, Milliken, Mimico-Queensway, Morningside, Morningside Heights, Moss Park, Mount Dennis, Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, Mount Pleasant East, New Toronto, Newtonbrook East, Newtonbrook West, North Riverdale, North St. James Town, North Toronto, O’Connor-Parkview, Oakdale-Beverley Heights, Oakridge, Oakwood Village, Old East York, Palmerston-Little Italy, Parkwoods-O’Connor Hills, Pelmo Park-Humberlea, Playter Estates-Danforth, Pleasant View and Princess-Rosethorn.

R–T

Regent Park, Rexdale-Kipling, Rockcliffe-Smythe, Roncesvalles, Rosedale-Moore Park, Runnymede-Bloor West Village, Rustic, Scarborough Village, South Eglinton-Davisville, South Parkdale, South Riverdale, St. Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands, St. Andrew-Windfields, Steeles, Stonegate-Queensway, Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan, Taylor-Massey, The Beaches, Thistletown-Beaumond Heights, Thorncliffe Park and Trinity-Bellwoods.

U–Y

University, Victoria Village, Wellington Place, West Hill, West Humber-Clairville, West Queen West, West Rouge, Westminster-Branson, Weston, Weston-Pelham Park, Wexford/Maryvale, Willowdale West, Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview, Woburn North, Woodbine Corridor, Woodbine-Lumsden, Wychwood, Yonge-Bay Corridor, Yonge-Doris, Yonge-Eglinton, Yonge-St. Clair, York University Heights and Yorkdale-Glen Park.