Living:
Worldwide Freecyclers get (and give)
free stuff
Currently, over one million members in almost 3,000 communities worldwide are sharing
their unwanted goods.
The
catalyst that facilitates all the getting and giving is an organization called Freecycle,
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 worldwide phenomenon has spread throughout the globe.
The process is quite simple. Go to 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, but most limitations are simply
that it needs to be completely free, legal and appropriate for all ages. What you offer
doesn’t matter: computer parts, couch, clothing, an old window, broken car, perfume,
whatever.
If you have it and don't want it, someone else probably 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
123 Main 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 good
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.
Generally, you should elaborate a bit in your emails as to why
you are need something or why you are interested in picking up the item. Please save your
entire life story for another forum, 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 washing machine tonight. I would
greatly appreciate not having to squeeze in time to go to the laundromat after work.”
will likely get consideration.
Just be sincere -- don’t
make up a woeful story trying to get something. The intent of Freecycle is to help others
by giving and getting.
