This summer, our Furniture Bank team traveled to Halifax to visit Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank, one of our newest partners in the Mattress Return Program. What began as a local initiative in Toronto is now expanding across the country — scaling impact and helping retailers solve return logistics and helping thousands of families sleep with dignity.
Returned Mattresses Going to Waste
The Problem: For large retailers like IKEA, returned mattresses create a huge logistical and environmental challenge.
Even gently used items often end up in landfills due to the lack of an efficient reuse channel. That’s where Furniture Bank comes in. Diverting usable products from waste and putting them directly into homes that need them.
A National Reuse Program
What started in Toronto is now reaching:
Ottawa – Matthew House Furniture Bank
Winnipeg – Oyate Tipi
Montreal – Welcome Collective
Halifax – Parker Street Furniture Bank
Each local partner adapts the model to their community — from serving newcomer and refugee families, to Indigenous women and children, to asylum seekers. This approach to “scaling with intention” ensures local relevance and long-term success.scaling impact
Best Practices Shared Coast to Coast
Health & Safety as a Priority
From safety committees and inspection checklists to MSDS tracking and WHMIS training, every element is built to protect teams.
Environmental Stewardship
We log every pound diverted from landfills — even free disposals — and help partners explore upgrades like LED lighting, solar power, and even EV fleets in the future.
Efficient Pickup Operations
Our revenue-generating pickup model lets us charge competitively (on par with junk services) while offering added value like tax receipts and environmental impact. Expanding the types of items we collect means fewer missed opportunities and more families served.
Restoring Dignity: The Human Impact
“This is the first time in years I’ve had a proper bed.”
“The mattress looked pristine — like new.”
“I finally slept through the night without waking up in pain.”
“I never thought a mattress could change so much in my life.”
These are just a few of the comments we heard from clients in Halifax. For many, a mattress means more than a place to sleep — it means a fresh start, improved health, and peace of mind.
Looking Ahead: More Beds. More Impact
With ongoing support and growing interest from other partners, we’re working toward a bold goal: ensuring every mattress gets a second life, not a landfill destination.
We’re building a national network of care — one mattress, one partner, and one family at a time. scaling impact
YOU can help!
Retailer with customer returns?
You can keep quality products out of landfills by giving them a second life in homes that need them, while also reducing disposal costs and strengthening your community impact.
Contact: [email protected]
Furniture Bank looking to partner?
By joining the network, you gain access to proven systems, operational support, and partnerships with major retailers like IKEA, helping you serve more families more effectively.
Donor wanting to support reuse and dignity?
Your contribution directly furnishes homes for people transitioning out of crisis, ensuring they have the comfort, stability, and dignity that comes with a furnished space. Book a pickup today!
You have a role in this story. Together, we can furnish futures, reduce waste, and scale impact across Canada.
Learn more: furniturebank.org/ikea-canada-national-mattress-return-program
Ready to clear some space and give your furniture a second life?
Curious how it works?
Check out our step-by-step guide to see what happens before, during, and after your pickup.
Learn more about the pickup process.
