Another recycling alternative is Freecycle, a bulletin board-type website that matches people trying to find homes for unneeded items with those seeking them. New Jersey has several Freecycle groups; use a search engine to find the one that serves your county.
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The Teton County Freecycle.org group matches people who have things they need to get rid of with people who can use them.
It is another spoke in the wheel that supports the local community, another tool in Linda Sentz’ toolbox. Sentz is a board member of both the Teton County Food Pantry and Neighbors Helping Neighbors organization, both organizations that give a helping hand to those people in need. She said that only 40 people are in the Freecycle group and she would like to see that doubled or tripled.
The national Freecycle Network has a goal of keeping usable items out of landfills, but a “wanted” or an “offer” posting on the Teton County recycle webpage might fulfill a basic need for a refrigerator or other appliance, for example, Sentz said.
The Internet listings help people give unwanted items to someone else for free. Freecycle creates a circle of giving rather than items discarded. To join the Teton County Freecycle group, sign up at www.freecycle.org.
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A BURTON branch of an initiative which allows people to support their community by offering items for free is going from strength to strength.
Freecycle allows people in the town to offer up any items they are looking to throw away to give them to other people in the area via a special online site.
The Burton branch has more than 50 items on offer, ranging from coffee tables and Sony televisions to old duvets and hair dye.
A spokesman for Freecycle said: “You only have to watch the Antiques Roadshow to know that we throw away too much that other people might find useful or even valuable.
“Freecycle aims to keep such stuff out of landfill.
“Everything offered is free, legal and appropriate for all ages.
“If people want to offer something, they just email the local group.
“After that it is up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a collection time.
“Similarly, if you are looking for something, post a ‘wanted’ message and a group member may have what you are looking for.
“Each local group is moderated by people in the area.
“Freecycle is a grassroots movement, entirely not-for-profit, involving people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their area.
“By using what we already have, we reduce consumerism, manufacture fewer goods and keep good stuff out of landfill.
“We get rid of junk that we no longer need and strengthen community ties.”
Freecycle was established in 2003 in Arizona and has since spread to more than 85 countries.
In the UK, there are now getting on for 600 groups with nearly three million members.
A nearby group that covers South Derbyshire has more than 1,000 items up for grabs.
Membership is free and, for more information, head online to uk.freecycle.org
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