Freecycle It

Recycling is good, it’s better for the environment than just throwing things away. But it still uses energy, and often has an environmental impact, to recycle materials, because you are still converting those materials from one form into another.

If you are able to, re-using materials is even better than recycling them. Often materials that can’t be recycled can be re-used. But what if you really don’t have a use for something? That’s where FreeCycle comes in. It’s an online trading site for free stuff. Because after all, one person’s garbage is another person’s treasure.

Currently over one million members in almost 3,000 communities world wide are sharing their unwanted goods. The catalyst that facilitates all the getting and giving of unwanted items is an organization called Freecycle. It’s a grassroots movement of people who give stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator. All of the trading is done online. Membership is free. Freecycle is open to individuals and non-profit organizations.

The Freecycle Network was originally started in Tucson to promote waste reduction and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. That was in May 2003. This world wide phenomenon has spread throughout the globe.

The process is quite simple. Go to www.freecycle.org and find a group near you. If there’s not one in close proximity, consider starting one yourself. Then when you want to find a new home for something you just send an e-mail offering it to members of your Freecycle group.

Some groups have restrictions on what you can and cannot post, however most limitations are simply that it needs to be completely free, legal and appropriate for all ages. It doesn’t matter what you have to offer; computer parts, couch, clothing, an old window, broken car, perfume, etc. If you have it and it’s unwanted, almost guaranteed, someone else can put it to good use.

If something is posted that you’re interested in obtaining, all you need to do is respond to the member’s offer. It’s up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure. Sometimes it’s as simple as “I’ll leave it on the front porch of 123Main St., come by anytime.”

Many local networks also allow WANTED: posts. If you’re looking for a 10 gallon aquarium, check with Freecycle first. Odds are great someone may have one sitting in their basement collecting dust. While each individual network may have slightly different restrictions, most are run similarly. There are generally four types of posts and these words must appear in the subject line of your email: Wanted: xxx, Offer: xxx, Taken: xxx or Found: xxx.

It is generally recommended to elaborate a bit on your emails as to why you are in need of something or why you are interested in picking up the item. Don’t go into your entire life story, but responses like “I’m interested” will likely get deleted. Whereas something like: “I’m a single mom who just moved here after my divorce. I would love to pick up your wash machine tonight. I would greatly appreciate not having to squeeze in time to go to the laundry mat after work.” will likely get consideration. Just be sincere – don’t make up a woeful story in hopes to get something.

The intent of Freecycle is to help others by giving and getting. It’s a great, fun organization.