The ReSource Exchange helps local businesses exchange or sell existing food waste or by-products, supporting new circular collaborations. Please complete all fields or you will receive and error message.
Sign up with Google Sign up with LinkedInSign up with email
Summary Terms of Use
The ReSource Exchange is intended to help transition Guelph-Wellington, and Canada more broadly, towards a circular economy, including the reuse of foods and other products that may have otherwise have gone to waste. As an open business-to-business marketplace and digital community we need to have rules governing our community. Here is a summary. You can review the longer full text legal version of our privacy and terms of use in the text below the summary.
1. There will be rules and guidelines involved in using the ReSource Exchange platform; by registering you agree to follow the rules.
2. Your login is meant to be used by you; letting others use your login is not allowed.
3. If you exhibit behavior contrary to the Guidelines and Standards of the ReSource Exchange platform detailed in the full terms and conditions below, we can limit or cancel your access.
4. The ReSource Exchange platform exists to accelerate the circular economy and the reuse of foods and other products that may otherwise go to waste. Listings should be for products that would typically be considered wastage, bi-products, co-products or end of life, along with equipment, products and services that support circular economic activities. Please don’t create listings for items that do not fall within this definition. We retain the right to remove any listings that do not align with these goals (e.g. spam). Repeatedly posting inappropriate listings could result in us canceling your account.
5. We need to measure how ReSource Exchange is helping to grow the circular economy by tracking activity on the platform. We may ask for information on whether a transaction has occurred - or that users self report here so we can understand material reuse scenarios. While we may report publicly on the types of transactions or exchanges happening on the platform, we will not disclose any details on the specific parties, sale price, or other potentially sensitive business information without authorization from the user.
6. You should only engage in buying or selling discussions on materials for which you have an intent and the rights to buy or sell.
7. In order to create new posts for materials you want to sell you will need to provide detailed information.
8. When you engage in conversations around a possible transaction you should try to respond quickly or we may give you a nudge.
9. We will do our best to make sure that the information participants load into the platform is accurate, but we can’t be responsible for the accuracy of such information or for the final quality or nature of the materials you might receive.
10. There may be a reason we need to add to or change these terms & conditions in the future and we will inform you when we do.
11. We and our suppliers/licensors developed this platform and own any and all parts of it. You own your materials and we will not modify the information about them in the platform without your permission.
We take privacy seriously. The following details the data we collect from users and how it is used. Further details are listed in the full Terms below and the ReSource Exchange Privacy Policy .
o Profile information - We collect information from you when you register to use this site. This includes your email, mailing address, phone number and additional demographic information as provided by you on the registration form. As ReSource Exchange is intended as a business-to-business marketplace, collecting this information is required to ensure the integrity of interactions on the platform.
o Engagement information - We collect information about the content you create as part of your interactions with this website. These can include listings you post or reply to, questions or inquiries to other users, or feedbacks about completed transactions.
o Usage information - We collect information about your usage of the ReSource Exchange platform, such as pages visited, documents downloaded, etc. Similar to other websites, this information is automatically collected through cookies (small text files) or pixels (tiny graphics files). We also use Google Analytics, a third-party analytics provider to collect demographic and interest-level information and usage details from users that visit ReSource Exchange.
We collect the information listed above in order to analyze and interpret it to help meet our objectives and obligations; communicate information to you about potential sales/purchase opportunities through the site; and respond to enquiries and otherwise engage with stakeholders. We may share information we collect with Our Food Future collaborators for the purpose of understanding the circular economy opportunities or associated initiatives to help grow the circular economy.
ReSource Exchange is built on the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Material Marketplace platform. The platform is hosted on Amazon Web Services cloud in Canada.
Terms of Use
These Terms of Use (“Terms of Use”) are a legal agreement between you and The Corporation of the City of Guelph (“we,” “us,” “our”) that governs your access to and use of the ReSource Exchange at resourceexchange.ca (the “Website”), including, without limitation, any and all updates, tools, functionality, applications, bulletin and message boards, product postings, chat areas, private/direct message functions, news and events postings, forums, downloadable brochures and materials, video content and literature related to any of the foregoing (collectively with the Website, the “Service”). References to “you” and “your” mean anyone who visits, accesses, or uses the Service. Your access to and use of the Service is conditioned upon your acceptance of these Terms of Use and any additional terms that may be provided or presented to you when you use certain features of the Service, all of which are incorporated into these Terms of Use by this reference.
PLEASE REVIEW THESE TERMS CAREFULLY. BY CLICKING “I AGREE”, REGISTERING FOR AN ACCOUNTOR OTHERWISE ACCESSING OR USING THE SERVICE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS, DO NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICE, MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH THE SERVICE, OR CLICK TO INDICATE THAT YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS.
If you do not understand or disagree with the Terms of Use, you must immediately stop using the Site and we encourage you to contact us at KTAdmin@guelph.ca. ReSource Exchange aims to accelerate the transition of Canadian businesses towards sustainable circular sourcing models. We are happy to address any questions and to hear your comments and suggestions regarding use of the Service.
NOTICE: ReSource Exchange is an online platform through which sellers may create a listing (“Listing”) of certain products or materials (each a “Material”) available for purchase through the Service. The Service is solely an information-sharing and facilitation platform. The Corporation of the City of Guelph is not a party to any agreements entered into between buyers and sellers, nor do we have any control over the accuracy of information presented through the Service or the quality of Materials purchased by buyers from sellers through the Service. The Corporation of the City of Guelph disclaims all liability in this regard to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
1. Eligibility.
Use of the Service is limited to parties that can lawfully buy and sell the Materials and can enter into and form contracts under applicable law. For example, minors are not allowed to use the Service. You represent and warrant that: (a) if you are a business, you are duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which your business is registered; (b) you have all requisite right, power, and authority to enter into these Terms of Use and perform your obligations hereunder; (c) you are authorized to purchase such Materials; (d) any information provided or made available by you or your affiliates to The Corporation of the City of Guelph or its affiliates is at all times accurate and complete; and (e) your use of the Service will comply with all applicable Transaction Tax (as defined below) laws.
2. Privacy.
Please review the ReSource Exchange Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect and handle the information you provide to us (including personal information) when you use the Service. By visiting, accessing, or using the Service, you expressly consent to the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of your information, including personal information, in accordance with the ReSource Exchange Privacy Policy.
3. Account Registration; Access.
You may visit the Website without registering for an account (an “Account”), but you must register for an Account in order to use the Service to purchase and/or list Materials for sale. To create an Account, you must provide your name, email address, and password chosen by you. You must also provide your business name, phone number, billing address, billing phone, and other information. The password you provide is used to protect your Account. Choose a password carefully that only you have access to. If you create an Account, you must provide the Corporation of the City of Guelph with current, complete, and accurate information. Failure to maintain updated information may result in termination of your Account. You must keep your password confidential and not authorize any third party to use it or your Account. You agree that The Corporation of the City of Guelph may attribute all use of your Account to you and that you are responsible for all activities that occur under your Account. If you share your computer or device, you should sign out of your ReSource Exchange account before relinquishing control of your computer or device. You must notify the ReSource Exchange immediately if you suspect any unauthorized use of your Account or any other breach of security. Should your Account be inactive for six months, The Corporation of the City of Guelph reserves the right to close or suspend your Account. We will notify you of this closure via the email address used for Account registration.
4. Seller Terms.
a. Listings. As a registered user of the Service, you may create Listings. To create a Listing, you will be required to provide information about the Material you are selling, including Material name and the quantity of the Material available. By creating a Listing, you represent and warrant that you have the right and ability to sell the Material using the Service, and that the Listing is accurate, current, and complete and is not misleading or otherwise deceptive. Your Listings will be visible to other registered users. ReSource Exchange is intended to facilitate the reuse, revalorization and upcycling of products, wastage or biproducts that may have otherwise been wasted – as well as supporting goods, equipment and services that support circular business practices. We retain the right to delete any listings that do not align with these objectives. If we delete a listing we will let the poster know why it was removed. Repeatedly listing products/services that do not align with the objectives of the ReSource Exchange may result in your account being deactivated. You may list any Material on the Service other than controlled substances unless otherwise prohibited by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may not list any item or link or post any related material that (a) infringes or misappropriates any third party intellectual property rights (including copyright, trademark, patent, and trade secrets) or other proprietary rights (including rights of publicity or privacy); (b) constitutes libel or slander or is otherwise defamatory; or (c) is counterfeited, illegal, stolen, or fraudulent.
b. Pricing; Transactions. By creating a Listing, you are obligated to sell the Material in your Listing at the listed price to buyers who place an order and in accordance with the terms as agreed to between you and the buyer, including method of payment, product condition, logistics, etc.. You acknowledge that by not fulfilling these obligations, your action or inaction may be legally actionable.
c. Transaction Taxes. You agree that it is your responsibility to determine whether Transaction Taxes apply to a transaction, and that it is your obligation to properly collect, report, and remit to the appropriate tax authority all applicable Transaction Taxes ; provided, however, that you may accept documentation from a buyer claiming an exemption or exclusion from, or reduction of, Transaction Taxes as set forth in Section 5(c), below. “Transaction Taxes” means any and all sales, goods and services, use, excise, import, export, value added, consumption and other taxes and duties assessed, incurred or required to be collected or paid for any reason in connection with any advertisement, offer, or sale of Materials by you on or through the Service, or otherwise in connection with any action, inaction, or omission of you or any of affiliate of yours, or any of your or their respective employees, agents, contractors, or representatives.
5. Buyer Terms.
a. Purchase; Payments. The ReSource Exchange does not directly facilitate payments. Payment terms are to be determined between the buyer and seller, including the payment method and timing.
b. Cancellations and Refunds. The City of Guelph makes no representations and warranties and does not guarantee or endorse any Materials sold or Listings posted on the ReSource Exchange and is not a party to any transaction facilitated by the platform. Any order cancelations or refund requests must be determined directly between the buyer and seller.
c. Transaction Taxes. In connection with any transaction, you agree to pay all applicable Transaction Taxes as calculated by the seller; provided, however, that you may claim an exemption or exclusion from, or reduction of, Transaction Taxes with respect to a transaction by providing to the seller all documentation required to claim such exemption, exclusion, or reduction, including any applicable exemption or resale certificate.
6. Transaction Risks; Safety and Quality.
The Service allows you to sell Materials to and purchase Materials from third party sellers. The Corporation of the City of Guelph does not assess the legitimacy or creditworthiness of third party purchasers or sellers, or the quality of the Materials sold by third party sellers through the Service. We have no control over the actions of any registered user. As a result, there are risks to your use of the Service, including transaction risks such as the risk of non-payment by third party purchasers and those related to the quality or integrity of the Materials sold by third party sellers. In all cases you agree to assume all risks, and The Corporation of the City of Guelph disclaims all liability arising out of your use of the Service to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
7. License.
We grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Service for its intended use, provided that neither the Website nor its Content is modified or downloaded (other than page caching) unless expressly authorized by us, and subject to all limitations and conditions in these Terms of Use.
You are granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive and non-transferable right to create a hyperlink to the Website, so long as the link does not portray The Corporation of the City of Guelph, or any of its affiliates, officials, employees, agents, representatives, programs, including the Website and any Content (defined in Section 10 below), in a false, misleading, derogatory, or otherwise offensive manner. You may not use any logo or other proprietary graphic or trademark as part of the link without express written permission.
8. Limitations of Use
Any unauthorized use of the Service is strictly prohibited. Any unauthorized use of the Service will terminate the license and all rights or permissions granted by these Terms of Use. You are prohibited from any use of the Service or Content that would constitute a violation of these Terms of Use or any applicable law, regulation, rule or ordinance, or that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability.
Unauthorized use of the Service and/or Content may violate applicable copyright, trademark or other intellectual property laws. You must retain all copyright and trademark notices, including any other proprietary notices, contained within the Content on the Website. The use of any Content on any other website or in any environment of networked computers is prohibited. You are not permitted to engage in any resale or commercial use of the Website or the Content, any derivative use of the Website or its Content; or any downloading or copying of information from the Website for the benefit of another person. You may not gather, extract, reproduce and/or display on any other website or other online service, any material on or from the Website, whether or not by the use of spiders or other ‘screen scraping’ software or system used to extract data, without our express consent.
In addition to any other rights or remedies available to us, and without any liability whatsoever, we may, in our sole discretion, at any time and without notice, suspend, terminate or restrict user access to all or any component of the Website.
9. Username and Password
The Website or certain portions of it may be accessed by use of your login name and password. You are solely responsible and liable for any use and misuse of your login name and password and for all activities that occur under your login name and password. For security reasons, you must keep your login name and password confidential and not disclose them to any person or permit any other person to use them.
All login names and passwords remain our property and may be cancelled or suspended at any time by us without any notice or liability to you or any other person. We are not under any obligation to verify the actual identity or authority of the user of any login name or password.
You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your login name or password, or if you know or suspect that your login name or password has been lost or stolen, has become known to any other person, or has been otherwise compromised.
10. Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights
For purposes of these Terms of Use, the term “Content” includes, without limitation, information, data, text, articles, photographs, images, design, logos, buttons, icons, videos, audio clips, written posts and comments, scripts, source code, data compilations, and software and interactive features generated, provided, or otherwise made accessible on or through the Website. For the purposes of these Terms of Use, “Content” also includes all User Content (as defined below).
All Content and its compilation are protected by Canadian and international copyright and trademark laws. Unauthorized use of Content may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws. You agree that the Content may not be used, copied, reproduced, altered, distributed, republished, displayed, posted or transmitted by you in any form or by any means without our express prior written consent, which may be withheld in our absolute discretion. You acknowledge that the Content is and shall remain our property and the property of our licensors. You may not modify, participate in the sale or transfer of, or create derivative works based on any Content, in whole or in part.
11. Feedback.
You may provide comments or feedback about your use of the Service (“Feedback”) to us at admin@resourceexchange.ca . You acknowledge and agree that all Feedback will be the property of The Corporation of the City of Guelph and that we are free to use, disclose, reproduce, license, distribute, and otherwise exploit the Feedback without any obligations or restrictions of any kind (including payment obligations). We may periodically collect, process, and use technical, usage, and related information about your use of the Service to improve the performance of the Service.
12. User Content and Content Standards
The Website contains content added, created, uploaded, submitted, distributed or posted to or through the Website, or to us in connection with the Website, by users (“User Content”), and also may contain bulletin and message boards, chat areas, private/direct message functions, news and events postings, personal or group web pages, forums or other interactive features that allow you to upload, post, submit, publish, display or transmit User Content on or through the Website.
User Content, whether publicly posted or privately transmitted, is the sole responsibility of the person who originated such User Content. You represent that all User Content provided by you complies with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. You acknowledge that all Content, including User Content, accessed by you using the Website is at your own risk. We do not control or endorse any User Content.
All User Content must be lawful, not “spam”, and clear of virus or other malware. Without limiting the foregoing, User Content must comply with the City of Guelph’s social media principles and guidelines found here and the Community Guidelines and Content Moderation Policy found here and the following minimum standards (collectively, the “Guidelines and Standards”):
- Not infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other intellectual property rights of any other person;
- Not violate the legal rights (including the rights of publicity and privacy) of others or contain any material that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under applicable laws or regulations or that otherwise may be in conflict with these Terms of Use;
- Not be likely to deceive any person;
- Not be used to impersonate any person, or to misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person or organization; and
- Not give the impression that the user acts as an agent or representative of, or the content otherwise emanates from us or any other person or entity, if this is not the case.
We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to objectionable content and reserve the right to monitor and edit or remove any activity or material or inactivate any account that appears to violate these Terms of Use or any guidelines for participating in an online discussion. However, please be advised that we do not undertake to review all User Content before it is posted on the Website, and cannot ensure prompt removal of objectionable material after it has been posted. Accordingly, we assume no liability for any action or inaction regarding transmissions, communications or content provided by any user or third party.
13. Intellectual Property Rights to User Content.
We do not claim ownership of User Content. However, if you post or submit User Content, you grant us an irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such content or material world-wide “and to publish your name and other information about you in connection with that User Content. You irrevocably waive all moral rights to such User Content. You represent and warrant that you own or otherwise control all rights to any User Content posted or submitted and that your User Content does not violate the Content Standards or these Terms of Use and will not cause injury to any person or entity. You are invited to participate further in the implementation of any of your ideas, we may choose to enter into an agreement with you regarding intellectual property or other issues which will supersede these Terms of Use.
14. Links to Third-Party Sites and Software
The Website may contain links to websites controlled, owned, and operated by third parties not associated or affiliated with The Corporation of the City of Guelph (“third-party sites”). Links to third-party sites are provided solely as a convenience to you and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement, investigation or verification by us of the linked website or information contained in the linked website, or of their security or privacy practices. We have no responsibility for the accuracy or availability of information provided on the third-party sites and make no representation or warranty regarding any third-party sites or their contents. You acknowledge that use of any third-party sites is governed by the terms of use for those websites, and not by these Terms of Use. You acknowledge sole responsibility for, and assume all risk arising from, your use of any third-party sites or resources.
If you download any software, we are not responsible or liable for any difficulties or consequences associated with downloading that software. The use of any downloaded software is governed by the terms of the applicable license agreement, if any, which accompanies that software or is provided with that software or in these Terms of Use.
15. Support and Updates.
We have no obligation to and may not provide support for the Service. If we do provide updates, supplements, or add-on components to the Service after the date you initially use or access the Service or Content (collectively, “Updates”), these Terms of Use will apply to the Updates. If we provides additional terms along with any Update, those terms will apply to the Update. You agree that we may automatically check your version of the Service and may automatically send updates to you. We may add new features or remove existing features offered through the Service. We reserve the right to discontinue your access to Updates.
16. Service Availability.
You may use the Service if and when it is available. We do not guarantee availability of the Service and there may be interruptions for scheduled maintenance or upgrades, repairs, or equipment failures. Certain Service features may be a pre-release version and may not work correctly or in the way a final version might work. To the maximum extent authorized under applicable law, we reserve the right to change, remove, delete, restrict or block access to, or stop providing any or all part of the Service at any time.
17. Limitation of Liability and Disclaimer
We expressly disclaim all representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the Service, the Website and/or Contents, all of which are provided on an "as is" and “as available” basis. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, currency, reliability or suitability of the Service or any Content or data, and any other products or services offered on or through the Service, including without limitation, any implied warranties and conditions of merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose, title and non-infringement and those arising by statute or otherwise in law or from a course of dealing or usage of trade. This disclaimer applies to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law in jurisdictions that limit the exclusion of implied warranties.
ALL CONTENT, MATERIALS, AND PRODUCTS YOU OBTAIN THROUGH THE SERVICE ARE PURCHASED AND ACCESSED AT YOUR OWN RISK, AND YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS THAT RESULTS THEREFROM TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
We assume no responsibility, and will not be liable for, any damages to, or any viruses affecting your computer equipment or other property on account of your access to, use of, or browsing on the Website or your downloading of any Content, materials, data, text, images, video or audio from the Website. Without limiting any other provision of these Terms of Use, you acknowledge and agree that we have no obligation whatsoever under these Terms of Use or otherwise to correct any defects or errors in the Website or any component of the Website (including, without limitation, the Content), regardless of whether you inform us of such defects or errors or we otherwise are, or become aware of, such defects or errors.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, under no circumstances will The Corporation of the City of Guelph or any of our affiliates, officials, officers, employees and authorized representatives be liable for any loss, claim, or damages of any kind, including without limitation, general, special, direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive or any other damages (including, without limitation, economic loss, lost profits, lost savings, business interruption or damages relating to data) of any kind whether in an action in contract, tort, negligence or any other legal theory, arising out of or relating in any way to the function, use or inability to use by any party any of the Service, the Website, Content or any third-party site to which the Website is linked, or in connection with any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus or line or system failure, computer hacking, even if we or any of our representatives, are advised of the possibility of such damages, losses, or expenses. We are not liable for any defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of any user. Your sole and exclusive remedy is to stop using the Service. If the foregoing limitation is found to be invalid, you agree that our total liability of for all damages, losses, or causes of action of any kind or nature shall be limited to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law.
18. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless The Corporation of the City of Guelph and our affiliates, officials, officers, employees and authorized representatives from and against any loss, liability, injury (including injuries resulting in death), demand, action, cost, expense, or claim of any kind, including but not limited to legal and other professional fees, relating in any way to your use of the Service, the Website, the Content, your conduct in connection with the Service or in conjunction with other users of the Service, or any violation of the Terms of Use or Privacy Policy or of any law or infringement of the rights of any third party. This indemnification obligation will survive these Terms of Use and your use of the Service.
19. Termination
If you violate these Terms of Use or other policies and guidelines posted on the Website, your license to use the Service, the Website and the Content automatically and immediately terminates and you must immediately destroy any copies you have made of the Content. You may terminate your Account or your use of the Service at any time by contacting us at the email address listed in these Terms of Use.
20. Changes to these Terms.
We reserve the right to change these Terms of Use at any time upon notice. We may give notice by making the updated Terms of Use available in the Service or by any other reasonable means. You can review the most current version of the Terms at any time here. The updated Terms of Use are binding on you on the effective date indicated therein. If you do not agree to the updated Terms of Use, you must stop using the Service before the effective date. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of such Terms of Use will constitute your acceptance of the updated terms.
21. Miscellaneous Terms
The Terms of Use and any and all other legal notices or statements posted on the Website constitute the entire agreement between you and us with respect to the subject matter of these Terms of Use, and supersede any prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether electronic, oral or written, regarding the subject matter of these Terms of Use and may not be amended or modified except by us as set out above.
There are no representations, warranties or other agreements between us in connection with the subject matter of these Terms of Use, except as specifically set out herein or in those incorporated or referred to in these Terms of Use. No party has been induced to enter into these Term of Use in reliance on, and there will be no liability assessed, either in tort or contract, with respect to, any warranty, representation, opinion, advice or assertion of fact, except to the extent it has been reduced to writing and included in these Terms of Use or in those incorporated or referred to in these Terms of Use.
No delay or failure by us in exercising any power, right or remedy or enforcing any of our rights under the Terms of Use shall be construed as a waiver of that power, right or remedy or any other rights in any way whatsoever. No waiver of any breach of any provision of these Terms of Use will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by us and, unless otherwise provided, will be limited to the specific breach waived and not to any other or subsequent breach.
If any provision of the Terms of Use is determined to be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then such provision shall be severable from the Terms of Use and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions of the Terms of Use.
The Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and of the laws of Canada applicable therein, and you consent and submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, in all disputes arising out of or relating to the use of the Service and these Terms of Use.
The headings used in these Terms of Use are included for convenience only and will not limit or otherwise affect these Terms of Use.
22. Questions and Comments
We welcome any questions and comments at admin@resourceexchange.ca or through the Contact Our Team widget on this page.
The Corporation of the City of Guelph (“City of Guelph,” “we,” “us,” “our”) understands your privacy is important. This Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) describes how we collect, use, store, process, and share your information in relation to your access and use of https://resourceexchange.ca/ (the “Website”), including, without limitation, the information provided by you when you contact us through the Website or create an account (the “Account”) and any and all updates, tools, functionality, applications, bulletin and message boards, product postings, chat areas, private/direct message functions, news and events postings, forums, downloadable brochures and materials, video content and literature related to any of the foregoing (collectively with the Website, the “Service”).
References to “you” and “your” mean anyone who visits, accesses, or uses the Service. By visiting, accessing, or using the Service, you confirm that you have read, understand and agree to this Privacy Policy and to the collection, use, storage, transfer, processing, and disclosure of your information, including personal information, as described in this Privacy Policy. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS POLICY, DO NOT ACCESS OR USE ANY PART OF THE SERVICE OR REGISTER FOR AN ACCOUNT.
You understand and acknowledge that we reserve the right to change or amend this Privacy Policy from time to time without advance notice to you. We are, however, committed to protecting your information and will never materially change our policies and practices without posting notice on the Website. Please check back frequently to see any such updates or changes. Your continued access to and/or use of the Website after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of, and agreement to, this Privacy Policy, as revised.
1. Information Collection
a. General.
When you visit the Website without registering for an Account, you can browse without submitting any personally identifiable information. However, general non-personally identifiable information is automatically collected as you interact with the Website. In order to create a listing (“Listing”) to offer for sale any products or materials (each a “Material”) through the Service, you will be required to register for an Account. To register for an Account, you must be at least 18 years of age. ReSource Exchange is intended as a business-to-business platform. When registering you will be asked to provide business contact information, which could include some personal information. The Corporation of the City of Guelph collects any personal information under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). MFIPPA defines personal information as recorded information about an identifiable individual – which could include name, employment history, address, telephone number, and other personal details .Reference Under MFIPPA business information does not constitute personal information and is not protected. Information collected by us through the Website is described below.
a. Account; Login.
When you register for an Account, the Information you provide to us may include, but is not limited to:
- Contact information such as name, business name, email address, mailing address and phone number;
- Business operations, business model and primary markets as it may relate to growing the circular economy; and
- Unique identifiers such as user name and password and IP address.
b. Listings and Transactions
Registered users may create a Listing of Materials available for purchase through the Service. To create a Listing, you will be required to provide, and we will collect, certain information about the Material you are selling, including Material name/type, the quantity of the Material available, and a description of the Material. Users may use the “Contact the Seller” button to initiate a transaction for any listings on the platform. The contents of any messages sent between users on the platform are visible to ReSource Exchange platform administrators. Administrators will only view messages between users for the purposes of supporting transactions, ensuring the operation of the website, and upholding community guidelines as outlined in our Terms of Service. It is strongly recommended that any confidential discussions, negotiations or exchanges between users (e.g. sharing of credit card information) take place off the platform.
c. Request for Information.
You may provide your email address and other contact information to us in order to request information related to the Service if you do not sign up for an Account.
d. Communications.
In order to receive certain communications from us, you will be required to submit certain business contact information, including, but not limited to, your name email address and business phone number.
e. Social Media.
We may collect information when you visit or use third-party websites and apps that we have a registered page with such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. We receive information about you and your activities on and off our Website from third-party websites and apps through their reporting tools.
f. Automatically Collected Information.
Similar to other websites, we may collect some information automatically and store it in log files. This collection may include, but is not limited to, your IP address, browser and device type, referring/exit pages and URLs, other browser history, number of clicks, landing pages, cookie information, the pages you requested and viewed, the amount of time spent on particular pages, and the date and time of each request you make. We collect this non-identifying information in order to better understand our users, to more efficiently operate our business, to promote our products and services, and to improve the quality of the Service. We may automatically collect information using various mechanisms, including, but not limited to, cookies and pixels described below.
- Cookies. A cookie is a small text file that is stored on a computer for record-keeping purposes. Our third-party analytics providers use cookies to record information about your activities while using the Service and to “remember” you when you return to the Service. Some cookies remain on your computer until you delete them. Others, like session ID cookies, expire when you close your browser. You may set your browser setting to attempt to reject cookies and you may still use the Service, however, certain features of the Service may not be available if your browser does not accept cookies. See the section titled “Do Not Track Settings” below for more information on how the Service may respond to your browser settings. We do not control the use of cookies by third parties. See also the section titled “Third Party Analytics Providers” below.
- Pixels. Pixels are tiny graphics with a unique identifier that are used to track the online movements of web users. Unlike cookies, which are stored on a computer’s hard drive, pixels are small graphics that are about the size of the period at the end of the sentence that are embedded invisibly on web pages or in HTML-based emails. Our third-party analytics providers may place pixels on the Site that track what other websites you visit (both before and after visiting the Site). Our third-party analytics providers use information obtained from pixels to help us improve our business and the Service. We do not control the use of pixels by third parties.
g. Third Party Analytics Providers.
We use third parties to help us operate and improve the Service. In doing so, we may share with these third parties non-personally identifiable information about users’ use of the Service. These third-party providers also use cookies. We use third party analytics providers, such as Google Analytics, to provide us with general demographic and interest-level information about our users and to help create a better user experience. We do not control information collected by third parties and are not responsible for their use of that information.
Google Analytics uses cookies and pixels in order to collect demographic and interest-level information and usage information from users that visit the Service, including, but not limited to, information about the pages where users enter and exit the Service and what pages users view on the Service, time spent, browser, operating system, device information, and IP address. Cookies and pixels allow Google to recognize a user when a user visits the Service and when the user visits other websites. Google uses the information it collects from the Service and other websites to share with us and other website operators information about users including, but not limited to, age range, gender, geographic regions, general interests, and details about devices used to visit websites and purchase items. We take reasonable measures to prevent linking information we receive from Google with any of your personally identifiable information. For more information regarding Google’s use of cookies and collection and use of information, see the Google Privacy Policy. To opt out of Google Analytics, please visit the Google Analytics Opt-Out Page to learn about opting out and installing the appropriate browser add-on.
h. “Do Not Track” Settings.
Because we track Service usage information through the use of cookies, pixels, and other tracking mechanisms, your selection of the “Do Not Track” option provided by your browser may not have any effect on our collection of cookie information. The only way to completely “opt out” of the collection of any information through cookies or other tracking technology is to actively manage the settings on your browser to delete and disable cookies and other tracking/recording tools. However, getting a “Do Not Track” signal to work as you might want is difficult. Using browsers as an example, not all tracking technologies can be controlled by browsers; unique aspects of your browser might be recognizable even if you disable a tracking technology; not all settings will necessarily last or be effective; even if a setting is effective for one purpose, data still may be collected for another; and even if one website observes a “Do Not Track” signal, that website usually will not be able to control other websites.
2. Information Use
a. General.
We will use your personally identifiable information to operate, manage, and administer your Account and the Service; to assist in facilitating your Materials transactions; to provide you with support for the Service; to communicate with you; to improve the Service. We may also use personally identifiable information to resolve disputes; to detect and protect against errors, fraud, and illegal activity; to assist law enforcement; to enforce this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service; or for any other purpose described in this Privacy Policy or described to you at the time of collection. ReSource Exchange is a collaborative initiative across a range of organizations in Guelph-Wellington and beyond. The logos of our collaborator organizations are shared on the ReSource Exchange front page. Business contact details or other personally identifiable information may be shared with project collaborators in accordance with the terms of this Privacy Policy to achieve the purposes outlined above.
b. Communications.
When you visit the Website or register for an Account, you are communicating with us electronically. When you create an Account, you will be asked to consent to communicate with us electronically and receive electronic messages from us. In the course of providing the Services, we may send you emails, notifications, or other communications related to your use of the Service, your Account, or to respond to your inquiries or requests (“Service-related communications”). We may also send you promotional and informational emails to notify you about products, services, events, research, news, third party organizations of interest that may be of interest to you (“non-Service communications”). If you would like to stop receiving non-Service communications from us please click on the unsubscribe from these emails link in any non-Service communication you receive.
c. Use of Non-Personally Identifiable and Aggregate Information.
We may use non-personally identifiable information and aggregate information for any lawful purpose, including, but not limited to, analyzing trends, managing and administering the Service, tracking users’ interaction with the Service, to create new products or services, or to improve our business and the Service. In addition, we may share aggregate information with our business partners including ReSource Exchange collaborator organizations and funders (whose logos are listed on the front page of resourceexchange.ca) and the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development who is supporting this service for the purposes of improving the platform, research and analysis, and developing new programs and platforms to support the circular economy. We may also combine your non-personally identifiable information and aggregate information with other non-personally identifiable information and aggregate information collected from other sources. We will take reasonable steps, including those described in this Privacy Policy, to ensure that aggregate information is never associated with you or your personally identifiable information. By accessing the Website, you are deemed to consent to the disclosure of your information for the foregoing purposes.
d. Information Retention.
Unless otherwise instructed, we will retain your personally identifiable information for only as long as reasonably useful for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy or as required by federal and provincial laws. We will retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations and in order to deter fraud or abuse of the Service. We may dispose of any information in our discretion without notice, subject to applicable law. We do not undertake any retention obligations through this statement.
3. Information Disclosure
a. Affiliated Entities and Service Providers.
We work with service partners, including ReSource Exchange collaborator organizations (whose logos are listed on the front page of resourceexchange.ca) and the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development (“Partners”) to operate the Website and provide the Services, which may include:
- matching resource sellers to potential buyers;
- developing new programs or interventions to help grow the circular economy (e.g. new funding programs, innovation challenges, etc.);
- researching transactions between clients to learn more about circular business models; and
- any other purpose disclosed by us in this Privacy Policy or at the time you provide information to us.
Information is shared with Partners only to the extent necessary for them to perform their respective functions.
Our Partners are required to keep your information private and secure, and not to disclose or use your information for any other purpose. By accessing the Website, you are deemed to consent to the disclosure of your information for the above purposes.
b. Legal Requirements.
We reserve the right to disclose your information, including personal information, collected by us: (i) to satisfy or comply with any applicable law, regulation or legal process or to respond to lawful requests; (ii) if we believe disclosure is needed to protect our rights, property, or safety and the rights, property and safety of third parties or the public in general; (iii) to prevent or stop activity we consider to be illegal or unethical.
c. Disclaimer.
We cannot ensure that all of your personal information will never be disclosed in ways not otherwise described in this Policy. For example, a third party may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications, or other users of the Service may abuse or misuse your personal information. No transmission of data over the internet can be 100% secure.
4. Information Security Measures
The security of your information is a priority for us. We take steps to help safeguard your information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure, including physical security measures, electronic security measures, organizational processes and contractual obligations with third parties. The personal information we collect is stored in operating environments that are not available to the public.
However, please note that no security measures can provide absolute protection. We cannot warrant the security of any information you provide to us. We accept no liability if communications are intercepted by third parties or incorrectly delivered or not delivered. It is important for you to protect against unauthorized access to your Information, your computer and to exercise caution when using shared devices.
5. Accessing, Updating, or Deleting your Personal Information.
You may access, update, or delete your personal information by contacting us at: admin@resourceexchange.ca. We will make good faith efforts to resolve requests to correct inaccurate information except where the request is unreasonable, requires disproportionate technical effort or expense, jeopardizes the privacy of others, or would be impractical. If your Account is terminated for any reason, your information will no longer be accessible through your Account or associated with your Account. However, activity that occurred prior to deletion may still continue to be stored on our systems or the systems of our service providers.
6. Additional Terms
Please also review our Terms of Use which, among other matters, establish the use, disclaimers, and limitations of liability governing the use of the Service.
7. Privacy Questions
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Information and Access Coordinator City of Guelph
City Hall, 1 Carden St.
Guelph, Ontario N1H 3A1
519-822-1260 extension 2349
privacy@guelph.ca