Why Recycle When You Can Freecycle?
I’m a big fan of Freecycle, it not only leverages the power of the internet, but also works on the local level so it helps build community.
At base it’s not much different than handing something you don’t use down to your younger brother or sister – and most of us have done that.
The way it works is that you go to the main Freecycle website and find the closest local group. Each group has its own Yahoo! group which provides a mailinglist. If you have something you just want to get rid of, you post it on the group and if any member has a use for it they can email you back through the group. If you get multiple offers, you choose whichever one you like best.
The catch is that you can’t accept anything in money or trade for the item.
Everything has to be completely unencumbered and free. You provide it, they pick it up, no money changes hands.
It’s a great way to be frugal: you can often get fairly expensive items like couches and washing machines for nothing. Now the best stuff does go pretty quickly, so if you’re serious about Freecycle you need to set it up so you get immediate notifications and call or email as soon as you see something you want. The early bird really does get the worm. (Please pardon the cliche)
I touched on this briefly at the beginning, but I really have to discuss the local aspect of Freecycle because I think it’s one of its greatest strengths. Humans are naturally social, we’ve lived in groups and communities for as long as we’ve been on Earth. Freecycle builds on that strength by making sure groups stay relatively small and locally focused. It builds a community within a community and that helps cut down on “freeloaders,” who would try to game the system to get as much as possible whether they have a need for it or not.
Freecycle works because it’s in tune with human nature and doesn’t try to fight it. Give it a try, it can save you a ton of money.
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