Freecycle - the Newest "recycle" Craze

Everything from clothes, pots and pans, books, restaurant coupons, plants - you name it. Freecycle.org has it all.

Over recent months, I have become involved in a couple of groups associated with freecycling. Through a few simple searches, I not only found a new hobby, but a very rewarding and resourceful way to not only find items that I thought I never would find, but to also give in return, the things just lying around collecting dust.

I stumbled upon this amazing organization after hearing one of my friends talking to someone about it. I eagerly joined my nearest group and found actually two freecycle groups in my area. At first, I was just a "lurker", reading all the messages and trying to find out more about it. I soon started to respond to some of the offered messages. I learned very quickly that a person is more likely to receive an item if they are "givers" themselves. I soon found several items that were just sitting around the house collecting dust. I began to post offers and quickly received many e-mails. I then decided to offer things that I would never use, and found that truly "one man's trash is another man's treasure".

Months later, I am still freecycling. I have given away older cookbooks to a lady who had lost everything in a fire, luau party supplies to a lady who wanted to give her husband a birthday party who was on a limited income and tons of Chuck E. Cheese and Olive Garden coupons. I have received some very nice items from other freecyclers including clipart software, clothes, party supplies, text books and other wonderful things.

Freecycling is one of the best ways to get rid of your "treasures" and help the environment by reducing waste. Check out your local freecycle.org group. Like myself, it may become your newest "addiction".