Friday, April 07, 2006

Try Getting it for Free First: Freecycle Network

Looking for a twin mattress, fence posts, or a cider press? Before you run out and buy it new, take advantage of the Freecycle Network and find someone who's giving the item away. The network allows only gifts, barter or trade. If you're looking to get rid of the old kitchen sink, you can use the service to find someone who will take if off your hands.

Here are the details from the site:

The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by clicking on the region on the left. You may then go directly to your local group by clicking on "Go To" or you may immediately joining by clicking on "Join." It will generate an automatic e-mail which, when sent, will sign you up for the local group and send you a response with instructions on how it works. Can't find a group near you? You might want to consider starting one (click on "Start a Group" for instructions). Have fun!

The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!

1 comment:

Tiredbuthappy said...

I've been in a Freecylce group for a couple of years now, and I will say that I find it a lot easier to get rid of stuff than to get stuff. Unless you fire off a message the second somebody posts something, it's usually taken. Still, it's a good idea (and my understanding is that it's gifts only, no bartering or trading). And thanks to Freecycle you can now see the floor in most of my basement. It's a great place to get rid of stuff if you don't miss the tax write-off that giving things to charities gives you.