The big game is over. The confetti's been swept. And you're staring at a mountain of empties that somehow accumulated between kickoff and the final whistle.
Perfect timing.
This February, Empteez is making it ridiculously easy to clear out those post-game empties and help feed your neighbors: all without leaving your driveway.
Welcome to "Show Your Love, Guelph": our month-long food drive that turns your regular curbside pickup into a chance to support the Guelph Food Bank. No extra trips. No hassle. Just two bags, one pickup day, and a whole lot of local impact.
What Is "Show Your Love, Guelph"?
It's simple: All through February, you can donate non-perishable food cans to the Guelph Food Bank while we pick up your deposit containers.
Here's how it works. On your regular blue bin day, you set out two bags:
- Bag #1: Your deposit containers (empties) that we count and credit to your account at 5¢ per container
- Bag #2: Non-perishable food cans for the Guelph Food Bank
We pick up both. You get instant credit for your empties. The Food Bank gets much-needed donations. Your garage gets cleared out. Everyone wins!
How EZ Money Works
You’ve got two simple ways to earn with Empteez.ca. Same pickup. Same cans. You just choose where your credits go!
Option 1: Account Credit (for you!)
- You get 5¢ per container as Account Credit
- It goes straight into your Empteez.ca account instantly
- Cash it out, save it up, or redeem it later. Easy!
Option 2: Donation Credit (boosted for the cause!)
Want to give back? Love that!
- You donate your earnings and get 5¢ per container as Donation Credit
- Then Empteez.ca adds a 10% bonus on top to support the cause
- That boost brings it to 6¢ per container as Donation Credit
And yep: that extra boost comes directly from Empteez.ca to help the community organization you choose. More impact, zero extra effort from you!
The Two-Bag System (It's Really This Easy)
Let's break it down step by step, because we know you're busy and this should take you about 90 seconds total.
Step 1: Gather Your Deposit Containers
Collect your empties: aluminum cans, beverage containers, anything with a deposit. Toss them in your regular Empteez bag or a clear bag. These are the ones we'll count and credit to your account.
Step 2: Grab Your Food Donations
Look through your pantry for non-perishable food cans you want to donate. Think:
- Canned soup
- Canned vegetables
- Canned beans
- Canned fruit
- Canned tuna or chicken
Put them in a separate bag. This keeps everything organized and makes it crystal clear which items are for the Food Bank.
Step 3: Set Both Bags Out on Your Blue Bin Day
Leave both bags next to each other at the curb on your scheduled pickup day. That's it. We'll grab both, count your deposit containers on the spot, and deliver the food donations to the Guelph Food Bank.
You're done. Seriously.
The Golden Rule: Cans Only for Food Donations (No Glass!)
Here's the one rule we really need you to follow for the food drive: Cans only. Absolutely no glass bottles.
Why? Safety and logistics. Glass bottles can break during transport, creating a hazard for our team and damaging other donations. The Guelph Food Bank also prefers cans because they're lighter, easier to store, and safer to handle.
So if you're donating to the food drive, stick with:
- ✅ Metal cans (soup, beans, vegetables, fruit, etc.)
- ❌ Glass jars or bottles
Your regular deposit containers (empties) go in the other bag and can include aluminum cans and other deposit items: just keep them separate from the food donations!
Why February? Why Now?
February is a tough month for food banks. The holiday giving season is over. Donations slow down. But hunger doesn't take a break.
The Guelph Food Bank serves thousands of people in our community every month: families, seniors, students, anyone facing food insecurity. And right now, they need our help.
That's why we're dedicating the entire month of February to this drive. Whether you're still clearing out empties from the Super Bowl (no judgment: we've all been there) or you're just doing your regular weekly pickup, you can make a difference without going out of your way.
Your Regular Empteez Service Keeps Running
Here's what makes this so effortless: Nothing changes with your regular service.
You're still getting:
- Curbside pickup on your blue bin day
- On-the-spot counting of your deposit containers
- Instant credit to your Empteez account at 5¢ per container
- Real-time tracking of your earnings
The food drive is just a bonus. You can participate every week, once a month, or whenever you have cans to donate. There's no commitment, no minimum, and no pressure.
And if you're not signed up yet? Now's the perfect time. Join Empteez and start turning your empties into earnings: and your pantry surplus into community support.
How the Guelph Food Bank Uses Your Donations
Every can you donate goes directly to the Guelph Food Bank at 100 Crimea Street. They distribute food to individuals and families facing food insecurity through their warehouse and partner agencies across the city.
For every dollar's worth of food donated, the Food Bank can provide more than two complete meals to someone in need. Your canned goods become breakfast, lunch, and dinner for your neighbors.
And because you're donating through Empteez, it's the easiest food drive you've ever participated in. No drop-off hours to worry about. No driving across town. Just set it out, and we handle the rest.
Post-Super Bowl Cleanup? This Is Your Moment
If you hosted a watch party (or just had a very enthusiastic snack situation during the game), you're probably sitting on a pile of empties right now.
Here's the move:
- Bag up those empties for your Empteez pickup: earn 5¢ per container
- Raid your pantry for a few cans you won't miss: toss them in a second bag
- Set both out on your next blue bin day
Boom. Garage cleared. Pantry decluttered. Food Bank supported. You're officially winning at adulting.
Already an Empteez Member? You're All Set
If you're already signed up with Empteez, you don't need to do anything special to participate in "Show Your Love, Guelph." Just add that second bag of food cans on your next pickup day, and we'll take care of the rest.
Want to track how much you're earning from your empties? Log into your account anytime to see your balance, schedule pickups, and watch your credits add up. Learn more about tracking your earnings here.
New to Empteez? Here's What You Need to Know
If you're not signed up yet, here's the quick rundown:
Empteez is a curbside pickup service for your deposit containers. Instead of driving to the depot, standing in line, and dealing with sticky counters, you just set your empties out on your blue bin day. We pick them up, count them on the spot, and instantly credit your account at 5¢ per container.
You can cash out your earnings, let them build up, or donate your credits to a local cause (which bumps it to 6¢ per container when you donate).
It's free to sign up. There are no hidden fees. And it takes about two minutes to create your account.
Make February Count
Here's the thing: recycling should feel good. And giving back to your community should feel easy.
"Show Your Love, Guelph" is both.
You're already recycling your empties. You're already earning credit. Now you can also help feed your neighbors: with zero extra effort.
So grab those empties from the Super Bowl (or last weekend, or last night: we don't judge). Add a few food cans from your pantry. Set them both out on blue bin day.
That's it. That's the whole plan.
Let's show Guelph what we're made of: one can at a time. 💚
Sign up for Empteez today and join the February food drive!
