Freecycle

[livinglight]

One of the best organizations around that helps people recycle is Freecycle.org and I highly recommend it to anyone. It's completely free and has local chapters all over the world. If you don't have one, the site shows you how to get one started.

Basically, when you have an item you no longer want, you can post it to the group and they can come get it. Or you can post that you need an item and most of the time, someone in the group will have one you can pick up.

No selling or anything involved - it's all free swapping of items so that they don't have to just be tossed out.

[Annie Jane]

I belong to freecycle in my county but also all of the surrounding counties. I love to be able to get something I need without having to pay for it. It makes you feel so good to get something from someone that may have been thrown away. Very nice!

[Naturally]

That is excellent information. I really admire the people who got it started. Something like that doesn't catch on and perpetuate unless it was a good thing.

[SnickerDoodle]

I joined a year or so ago and I find plenty of things that I could use. Once I needed a new stove because I only had one burner working and it couldn't be fixed. I put a post in there and someone contacted me a county over and told me they had one in a rental house that was good but needed to be cleaned up. I called a friend with a truck and he and I went over and got it. It was grungy but it was almost NEW!! I couldn't believe they were giving it away and I kept asking the guy if he was sure it wasn't needed or wanted! I brought it home and with some elbow grease and a lot of vinegar, baking soda, and other things I happened to have lying around, it was beautiful!! I didn't have to go out and buy a new stove and I gave mine to a local appliance repair shop who wanted the parts!

[GoOrganic]

I joined about a month ago. I joined in my county, but there isn't much activity because it's rural and sparsely populated. I also joined in a neighboring county that has a larger town. There are new posts daily for both things people have to give away and things people want. It's a great site for recycling used items. I like knowing we're helping each other and the environment by keeping lots of items out of the landfills.

[Raindrops]

Thank you for pointing me to this great organization. I just signed up and already see the possibilities. I can't wait until I can help others as well as get stuff for free. :-)