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Monday 27 February 2012

Do You Freecycle?

I'm usually the last to clue in to new things, so you all may already know about "freecycling." Freecycling is an excellent way to pick up items you need/want for free, or to give items that you no longer need/want to someone who actually wants them!


Most of us probably engage in "small-f" freecycling in an ad hoc manner: passing on things our kids have outgrown to friends and relatives; sharing perennials with neighbours; participating in community swap events...


But there's also "big-F" freecycling. There are groups of people around the world who are members of local Freecycle networks. You find your local group, become a member (joining is free) and receive notifications via email of offers (you can choose how often you get notifications). Check out freecycle.org to find a group in your area.


Freecycling is different from donating items to a charity or for-profit outfits like Value Village. It directly unites useable things with individuals who appreciate them, and keeps stuff out of the landfill.


Even weird items, like old doors, antique computers and well-loved dog beds can find new homes with Freecycle. (All things I have really Freecycled.) It's also nice for items that are too fragile for those big donation bins, or that have lots of little, but essential, pieces that may get lost.


Donating to charities and Freecycling each have their place. But Freecycling has the added bonus of giving you the opportunity to score some great stuff... for free! (Like art history books, storage cabinets and the coolest bouncing ride-on frog toy --all stuff I have really received from Freecycle.)


Happy freecycling (or Freecycling)!

2 comments:

  1. No, I don't freecycle but people have been known to give us free stuff - just because. We used to have quite a few TVs when the little ones were growing up. Please don't beat yourself up about being a perfect mummy, there are really bad ones out there who don't even know how to make grilled cheese. Our biggy, no, strike that, my biggy was pork roasts. They were cheap and easy to cook (I love throwing things in the oven) with taters and probably carrots - same pot. Wow, four little men in the house and one big one - you are outnumbered.

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  2. Pork roasts --great tip! We're a mostly veggie household (read: I cook vegetarian, but if someone offers a meat dish we gratefully and enthusiastically become carnivores) but we know lots of families who are always looking for quick and economical meal ideas.

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