For years we have heard the phrase Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It is plastered on billboards, tee-shirts, posters, shopping bags, totes…the list goes on and on. Freecycling takes the three “R’s” to a whole new level.

What is Freecycling?

In 2003 Deron Beal sent an email to 30-40 friends and acquaintances as well as a few nonprofits in his area announcing the birth of The Freecycle Network.  The premise of The Freecycle Network was to get perfectly good items to good homes rather than throwing them away. At first the group called local nonprofits to see if the items in question could be used. However, Beal soon set up the first Freecycle e-mail group. Since then the Freecycle notion has evolved and grown rapidly. Currently, over 85 countries participate in local groups representing millions of people involved in the movement.

By utilizing the Freecycle concept one can not only reuse, promote environmental sustainability but also inspire a values of generosity as they contribute directly to their local communities.

How Freecycling works

Freecycling is simple. Freecycle groups are run off the yahoo groups system.  Yahoo-Groups are a mass email group. When one person posts a message via the group’s website or sends an email to the group’s email everyone subscribed to the group receives the message. Those who have received the group email may then post a reply or email the original sender privately. Every Freecycle group has their own etiquette, rules and courtesies for the group users.

How to Freecycle

To join, first visit www.freecycle.org and enter your city. Click on the towns’ freecycle group you would like to join. If there are multiple groups in the area near you, feel free to join several!  As you are browsing each group you will see a brief description of how Freecycle works and what you need to do to get started. Simply click the link to visit the Yahoo group for your city, read the welcome message of that specific Freecycle group and click Join This Group! You will need to be signed into Yahoo with a login or create a login if you don’t already have one. Yahoo groups will ask you for information regarding your email, how you prefer your information displayed and how you wish to receive your messages. Simply fill out the questionnaire and click Join once you are finished. Once your membership is approved you will begin to get notifications. You are then able to get free stuff and/or give away free stuff from within your local freecycle group!

Each Freecycle group has its own rules, guidelines and etiquette. It is important to be respectful and mindful of these conditions. With that said, there are a few helpful tips for newbie Freecyclers:

• Do not set your mailing list to digest. Chances are the items will be gone by the time you check your email.
• If you see something you are interested in, respond quickly. Things go fast, especially in an age when many are able to receive emails to their cellphones!
• Always, always, always be polite.
• When setting up the time and place to pick up an item, let the original have preference. Afterall, you are the lucky one benefiting from their generosity!
• Always exchange names and phone numbers in case something comes up, you get lost or there is an issue.
• If the item you are picking up is bulky ensure you have the manpower, equipment and room in your vehicle in order to take it. It is rude to arrangement pick up only to have to reschedule due to thoughtlessness.
• If you want to see an item first, let the original owner know immediately when responding to their post.
• Bring someone with you when picking up or have someone at your home during pick up. The person who you are meeting is a stranger and most times these exchanges happen at home. There is safety in numbers so have a friend with your regardless of whether you are giving or getting.
• Be prompt. Do not arrive early or late. It is rude on either side.
• After receiving an item, be sure to email the original owner and thank them. They deserve it for their generosity.

Nearly anything can be Freecycled. What is one man’s trash is another man’s treasure is definitely the concept working for these groups!

To Give

After being accepted as a member, be sure to visit the Files section of the group. This area will hold important information regarding guidelines and how to post. If you would like to give away items, you are encouraged to do so. Why wait?

To Receive

Before requesting items, double check the Files sections. It will also offer information regarding posting rules and rules for new members. Each group operates slightly differently. Some groups require you to give before requesting from other members.  Be sure to read the guidelines and rules in order to avoid any misunderstandings.

Benefits of Freecycle

Benefits are abundant. It is the ideal way to rid your house of unwanted clutter. There is no need to drive anywhere, haul anything anywhere or deliver anything. You have the opportunity to help others that in need or just looking for a good deal. This is a fantastic way to get the things you want or need. Freecycle is totally free and money is not allowed to be involved. To say it’s easy on the purse strings is an understatement. Think of how many times you’ve personally seen garbage on the curb containing a perfectly good, reusable item- perhaps a couch or a lamp? Think of all the items in those trash bags that could have been reused. Now think of our overflowing landfills. Why ruin our ecosystem with “trash” when there are people willing to reclaim our clutter as “treasure”?

Weaknesses of Freecycle

Personally I love Freecycle and think the concept is brilliant. However, life is not perfect and one should be aware of a few of the common challenges.

• No shows: It is rude and rather inconsiderate that you will be somewhere to pick up an item and then not show up. Unfortunately, this happens. While this is still irritating one can avoid some of the issue by retaining emails from others interested or, if your group allows, post an item as “first come, first served”.
• No Items: Sometimes the original owner will forget the pick-up time, date, or other arrangement. This too can be irritating and as the price of gas has increased quite a bit, many people are unhappy driving out of their way for nothing. If the owner is comfortable, a simple exchange of cell phone numbers or other contact information may help in such situations.
• Stolen items: This one is a bit shocking but does happen occasionally. Sometimes an owner will have several items out for pickup and the freecycler coming to get one will opt to help himself the others as well. This is a bit maddening, disrespectful and difficult at best to prove. Arranging different pick up times is one option to avoid this.
• Going, going, gone: Many Freecyclers complain that items go too fast. This is especially challenging for those who don’t check their email often or who can’t type very fast. At times, people can get very upset about such situations.

Despite these issues Freecycle groups have had an enormous amount of success. Each day in my local Freecycle group there are dozens of posts offering items, all of which are taken by other Freecyclers. If you think of those dozens of posts multiplied by the thousands of groups worldwide the number of items still in use and saved from landfills is mindboggling. New groups are constantly being formed. Membership grows daily. Many nonprofits and church groups are catching on and setting up their own bulletin boards of full of posts seeking or offering items. Freecycling is the perfect opportunity to benefit your community, declutter your own home, assist others, reduce landfill waste and reduce consumerism. It is of little wonder why this phenomenon has become increasingly popular. Give it a try! Who knows what great items are coming your way!