Freecycle: Recycle Items You No Longer Want or Need

All of us have items setting around our house, yard, or garage that we do not use or need any longer. Maybe it is clothing you no longer wear, old tools that you never use, a computer you have long since replaced, or children's toys that your children outgrew years ago. What do you do with them? Some of us just let unused items sit around forever, taking up space. Some people donate them to a charity such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Some throw them away. Some "Freecyle" them.

What is "Freecycle"? It is an online network whose motto appropriately is "changing the world one gift at a time." It is run through volunteers from local communities who set up online message boards for their particular Freecyle group. It is a nonprofit organization of people who are giving away things that they no longer need or want for "free". According to the freecyle.org website, there are currently 3,940 Freecyle "communities" and 3,142,208 members. Freecycle is an online tool for local recycling.

If you are interested in participating in Freecycle, the first step is to go to Freecycle.org and input your zip code to find your local chapter. If there happens to be no chapter in your community, the website has tools to help you begin your own Freecycle chapter. Then, you may join your local Freecycle, and as soon as you are approved by the volunteer moderator, you may begin contributing.

I am a member of my local freecycle. So far, Freecycle has helped my friends and family locate a variety of items they needed, ranging from an entertainment/television stand to a hamster. I have also been able to post some things on Freecycle, and it makes me feel good to be helping other people by giving them items that they will appreciate and use.

What kind of items have I seen offered on Freecycle? I have seen formula coupons and baby items and clothing, appliances, furniture, computers, speakers, magazines, and old records. There is always a wide variety. My one pet peeve is when people are always begging for things and never giving. Our local Freecycle moderator tries as much as possible to discourage this practice-as Freecycle should be about giving, not constantly asking for things.

The main rules for Freecycle are that items must be FREE, legal, and appropriate for any age. Also, it is important for the entire Freecycle community that if you commit to taking an item, you come pick it up when you are supposed to. Freecycle is proof once again that one man's trash is another person's treasure.