freecycling - a great way to recycle and reduce waste

[shugah]

The Freecycle Network is a project of RISE, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission includes reducing waste, generating employment training, and fostering cooperation between other nonprofit organizations and the public.

The worldwide (!) Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them's good people). Membership is free.

"Think globally, recycle locally."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

we moved recently, and, as so often happens, found that we had a lot of stuff that we simply DID NOT want to move with us. we had heard about freecycle, and it turns out, a post on a yahoo message board, found people who wanted or needed the items we would otherwise have thrown away. books, clothes, old vhs movies, a couple of end tables...

this is a very cool way to recycle! there are many local message boards, and you can post what you no longer need or don't want - and the chances are very good that there is someone who does want or need it, and they will come and pick it up! too cool!

http://www.freecycle.org/

check it out!

[zuzu98]

1. Thanks for bringing attention to Freecycle!

We've given away some stuff and also picked up some great stuff for free.

[shugah]

6. so far i've just been offering

but the time or two i wanted to get something... well, it's amazing how quickly someone will ask to have what you were going to get rid of!

[htuttle]

2. Something interesting went on in Madison a few weeks ago

A couple of times a year when all the students move in and out, there are weeks where there is a ton of furniture and such sitting on the curb for the trash. Traditionally, people go around a pick up the interesting stuff before the garbage trucks get there.

Well this last month, somebody got the inspiration to set up a 'free store' on a vacant lot on the Isthmus (it was at Ingersoll and Wilson, behind Badger Cab, if you know the city).

It was simply a publicized location set up with an awning and a few tables, and people were encouraged (by flyers, our traditional form of neighborhood communication) to bring any good stuff they were throwing out to leave at the 'free store'.

The corner was packed with people all week, with lots of stuff coming and going. People just left stuff and took stuff. I don't think there was really any supervision at all -- just common sense and the golden rule. And it worked! It was a lot better than having to drive around looking for stuff.

Freecycle sounds like something that would go on all year round. It's a great idea.

[shraby]

3. Something like that was done

in the 70s and 80s. Read about it. I think it was in California.

[htuttle]

5. It was the Diggers in San Francisco

http://www.diggers.org/free_store1.htm

My google-fu (Crane Style) is unbeatable. :)

[juajen]

4. Thanks. I joined.

This is a great idea.

[shugah]

7. it really is

a great idea!