Joining the Freecycle Movement

By Michele Blandino

It seems we all have "stuff" that accumulates in our homes, basements, attics and garages. And, if your family happens to include small children, that "stuff" seems to grow exponentially with each passing month.

As the kids grow, they outgrow many things - clothes, toys, bicycles, books, even furniture. And often, the items that have been outgrown are in new or nearly new condition.

Yet, despite the good condition of these items, many people are simply at a loss as to how to dispose of them. Leaving them at the curb for the sanitation workers to haul away may seem like a waste, particularly if the item is in good shape. Some people hold yard sales in the hope of giving their unwanted items a new home (and making a few bucks in the process) while others attempt to donate them to charitable organizations. And, ironically, enough, space constraints force many charitable organizations to be highly selective about the amount and type of items they will accept.

Fortunately, there is another alternative.

The Freecycle network was created in 2003, when a recycling center worker from Tucson Arizona noticed just how many useful items were being cast off. He offered the items to a group of 30-40 friends through an e-mail group he established and then watched as a new phenomenon was born.

Today, there are over 1,800 cities and more than 650,000 people participating in Freecycling groups worldwide. The biggest group is in Portland, Oregon where over 11,000 people participate.

How it Works

Becoming involved in the Freecycle process is actually quite simple. To begin, you log into Freecycle's main site. Once there, you will select your geographic region from the list on the left side of the page. That will link you to a list of the local Freecycle groups, which are organized by state. Within each state will be a list of the groups operating within that state; many are organized by town, but in some cases they will be listed by county. Find the group that is closest to your residence and click to join.

Once your membership is approved, you will be free to list the items you have available as well as inquire about items you may be interested in. There are a few rules; proper online etiquette is expected, money absolutely cannot change hands, and trading is strongly discouraged.

If someone expresses interest in your item, or, if you find an item you are interested in, you work directly with the other party to make the necessary arrangements. It's that simple. Of course, common sense should be used in situations where you may question the other person's legitimacy: never meet the other party alone, be sure to ask plenty of questions about the item you are interested in, and don't be afraid to decline an offer if you don't think the item will meet your needs.

Who Benefits?

Almost anyone can benefit from participating in a Freecycle group. Suppose, for example, your kids want to take piano lessons, but you're not so sure that they will stick with it for the long haul. Rather than spending a few thousand dollars for a used piano, chances are, with a little time and patience, you will be able to locate a free one.

Charities often visit Freecycle sites to meet specific needs, as do families looking to rebuild after a natural disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake.

So, the next time you find yourself with some items that need a new home, consider giving Freecycle a try. You just may be surprised with the results.