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Worldwide Freecyclers Get (and Give) Free Stuff
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. 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 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.
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