Freecycling clears landfills, one empty garbage can at a time
September 30th, 2009 Posted in Green Living & News
Have a speaker system that’s just taking up space? A spare dresser you don’t need? Have a skateboard due for retirement?
Don’t throw it out. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
You don’t even have to recycle it, just freecycle it.
What is freecycling?
The word “freecycling” is actually trademarked by The Freecycle Network, a non-profit grassroots group of organizations committed to reducing waste.
Freecycling is a way to give away your unneeded possession to people who do need them. You can use it to find items you need as well.
Freecycling is done throughout all 50 states. Groups are run by local volunteers and membership is free.
How does freecycling work?
By using Freecycle’s website, or a list of similar websites, you post an item you no longer need.
Other members will email you responses expressing interest in the item.
A date and time is arranged for the other party to come pick it up. Items are given, not sold.
The website also has what are called “curb alerts,” where users will post the general area of a possibly useful item.
Exact address isn’t posted to stop people from harassing the owners. These are, for obvious reasons, first-come first-serve.
Freecycle etiquette
There are some rules to play by when freecycling:
- Contact the local coordinator to find out the rules before offering up a pet. Searching for homes for pets varies.
- Make sure to include a description when offering or needing something. Users will become frustrated if they feel mislead.
- All items offered must be legal, safe, and appropriate for people of all ages.
- Freecycling usually works on a first-come first-serve basis, but the final decision is up to you.
- These are free-giving sites, not Craigslist. Don’t expect payment for your items, and don’t make offers.
Warning: None of these websites are liable for incidents. Be sure to put both your physical and personal security first.
History of freecycling
Freecycling began (besides those hand-me-downs you got as a kid) in Arizona in 2003.
Freecycling originally consisted of 30 or 40 friends and several non-profit organizations. It now spans over 50 countries.
It was created as a way to reduce waste sent to landfills. This process keeps an estimated 500 tons of waste out of landfills every day.
Freecycling.org is now trademarked with the E.U., U.S., and Canada. They have also applied with the USPTO to become an “R” or registered trademark.
3 Trackback(s)
- Oct 29, 2009: Clean Out that Closet the Green Way
- Oct 29, 2009: eCycling in a Technological Age
- Nov 17, 2009: Safe Waste Removal Key to Clean Landfills
5 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By jacki roney on Oct 23, 2009
What a wonderful article. I had never heard of this before besides exchanging clothes and things with other moms at our local school. We “recycle” all the time. I plan to mention this to our PTO. On such a bleary rainy Michigan day it is nice to find such a treasure.
By Karren on Oct 24, 2009
The site is a great idea but it can be a little tricky to sign up since the head of each geographic region tries to make sure that folks aren’t just joining to get free stuff (especially if they are just going to resell it). Although mostly profit driven, sites like ebay.com and craigslist.com also play a big role in recycling products that owners no longer want/need (as do donation centers such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army).