Freecycle: organization is a not-for-profit group

We’ve all had those moments, especially after the holidays. We got a new television, a better computer, a kicking sound system.  But just because we have a shiny new toy doesn’t mean that our old standby doesn’t work any longer.

There’s no reason to have two of something, you say to yourself, so you start looking for someone who can use your old stuff. You talk to friends and family members. You look for someone moving into a new apartment, someone whose blender or microwave just broke.  Someone.  Anyone.

You try donating it, but none of the not-for-profits in your area are interested–a common problem with used electronics. After all of this, you still don’t want to just throw it away. 

That’s when it’s time to Freecycle.

Freecycle is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making sure that useful items that still have some life in them stay out of garbage piles and landfills.  Started in Arizona, Freecycle.org has grown and now has local groups all over the United States as well as 85 countries.  The organization covers items ranging from bicycles to child swings and everything in between. 

The end result is that Freecycle can keep 500 tons of still useful items out of our landfills and back into the hands of people who really want and need them.

It doesn’t cost anything to use or participate in Freecycle. So, whether you find yourself in need of a couch or you have a home gym that needs a new owner, Freecyle can help you make that connection.

Freecycle doesn’t work like Craigslist.org. Rather than having one big, central setup where everyone can post ads for what they have or what they need, Freecycle is a grassroots movement that is maintained on a local basis.

Local Freecycle e-mail lists cover cities or counties and you have to ask to join your local group. Once your request is made you’ll be added to the e-mail list.  You’ll then be able to see all of the posts from people in your area.

Besides giving yourself a venue to find new homes for your wayward things or to pick up a handy used whatchamacallit for your home, Freecycle gets you involved with a community of people that you may never have otherwise met.

Moreover, Freecycle taps into the spirit of people helping one another, allowing participants to form bonds with others in their area.  In fact, one could almost argue that this element of Freecycle is just as important as the group’s goal of reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.

For more information about Freecycle, visit the group’s homepage at www.freecycle.org.