Freecycle for Free Stuff and a Cleaner Planet

credit: ©aius

We’ve all heard that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but now, an international movement is capitalizing on it. Freecycle, a blend of the words “free” and “recycle,” is all about free recycling, or rather, giving away your unwanted goods to someone who wants them. To get involved, follow these simple steps:

• Get started: Check out the Freecycle Network, and find a local group to get started in the give and take of items.
• Get ready for the storm: Joining a group usually means for a lot of email, so be prepared for a huge jump in the size of your inbox.
• Get involved in other recycling groups: Though Freecycle may be one of the largest free recycling groups, others exist, like the ReUseIt network and Freesharing.org.
• Be polite: Most sharers are inclined to give their stuff to other sharers, so try to contribute to the network, not just benefit.
• Be respectful: Keep your posts brief, and never delve into politics, name calling, or anything else that isn’t related to giving or accepting an item.
• Keep it above-board: Don’t offer up pornography, alcohol, weapons, drugs, or any other contentious item.
• Be safe: Don’t put your personal information (phone number, address, etc.) in a post, and don’t go to a stranger’s home alone.
• Be punctual: One of the worst things you can do is offer an item up, and then not show up to give it up.
• Make sure your items work: Before you offer up an unused item, make sure it’s still in perfect working order.
• Prepare for multiple responses: When you offer a popular item, like a couch, you will get a lot of responses. Prepare for how you’ll handle them and, more importantly, how you’ll decide who to gift with your “trash.”

Tags: Environment | Freecycle | Green Living | Life Hack | Recycle