Giving and reusing on Freecycle

This week we discovered the brilliancy of Freecyle, an on-line network where you can give away things you no longer need or ask if anyone has something to give away that you’d like.

Through Freecycle Illawarra this week, we found new homes for our sturdy handmade bathtub worm farm and our spare bee hive. We weren’t really using them, and we're inspired to give them away to someone who would put them to good use. And we met some lovely people who came to pick up the goodies!

Freecycle’s slogan is ‘changing the world one gift at a time.’ There’s 1000’s of groups all around the world. Have you had any experience with Freecycle networks? 

Comments

[Dani]

I agree. Freecycle is brilliant.

I gained burglar bars for two doors, plus two sinks and a wonderfully old kitchen counter from Freecycle Cape Town (South Africa) for use in our small off-grid home which we are building in as eco-friendly a way as possible

If you'd like to see them they are at: http://ecofootprintsa.blogspot.com/2010/04/recycling-and-freecycling.html

It certainly is a brilliant concept, and I am very grateful to whoever conceived of it.
Dani

[Kristy]

yep. We've given and received quite a lot of things over the years, too many to list in total but a great thought that what comes and goes is needed and/or reused. Instead of ending up in landfill :)

[Darren (Green Change)]

Yep, I recently picked up a dog kennel, a BBQ plate, and some pipes I can use for a chimney for my planned cob oven. I also got rid of an unused microwave and some other stuff a while ago.

[dixiebelle]

I would love to get a beehive on Freecycle!

I have had positive, but also negative experiences with Freecycle, and have gone back to donating everything to local op shops.

There is also Yoink! too. http://www.yoink.com/

[Kara]

We LOVE Freecycle! We've been able to see lots of our things re-cycled or re-loved - one guy took our old swimming pool pump and pool liner to build his own aquaculture garden, we've shared books with people and helped out with packing boxes and glass jars. We got materials to start building our "striving to be permaculture" garden from Freecycle! We also do emergency foster care, and have met some lovely people who come through in a pinch with emergency kid's supplies! Its definitely a "pay-it-forward" proposition! :))

[Narelle (nellymary)]

I love freecycle too...It was you who had the beehive, which I missed out on...I often post about freecycle on my blog....I've given away heaps of items....lots of Aloe plants....and most recently...a sprout grower, an ab cruncher, and other items....I've also been on the other end receiving goods too......It's brilliant! Yes!

[sribee]

I also love freecycle and use it all the time. I've picked up a near new vanity, tap set and mirror for my bathroom - I'm picking up some plants tomorrow for my garden. Mostly I use it for giving things away. I love meeting new people and all whom I've encountered have been very grateful for whatever they've picked up and it's often made a very big difference to their lives. It's a chance to learn about others in our community, be a blessing to those in need all while reducing landfill. I can't think of a better or more fun way to recycle!

[HappyEarth]

Wonderful to hear so many of you have had positive experiences with Freecycle too!

It was great to hear Freecycle is so active in Cape Town Dani! Love your blog too and your adventures living sustainability in South Africa, hats off to you!

Thanks for the link to Yoink Dixibelle, hadn't come across that one before.

[John]

The website I use to give and get free stuff is www.freetreasure.com.au

Bassicly this site has everything I was looking for as the community of people are great which helps when I go to give free stuff away because I know its going to a good home.

Check it out and see what you think