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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Check websites such as uk.freecycle.org, where you can often get free second-hand products. If you’re in need of a big appliance, a lawn mower or carpet cleaner, for example, try to borrow one by looking on local community forums or by asking your neighbours.
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‘I only own four items in this whole apartment,” Galina Globug said.
Ms Globug is one of 6.6 million people worldwide who give – and receive – unwanted things in a global environmental initiative called Freecycle. Its motto: ”changing the world, one gift at a time”.
Her eastern suburbs flat contains a bed, a wardrobe, a barbecue, a fridge, a dryer, a dresser, a gas heater, a cheese stand and a kitchen table. All were given to her for free.
”Oh, and a 40-inch TV,” the university student said.
”It’s pretty nifty. If people have stuff they don’t want it’s better than throwing it in the dump. It’s like recycling it back to the community.”
In return, Ms Globug recently offered some small plastic pots and glass jars to her Freecycle community.
The co-ordinator of one Freecycle group in Sydney, Tracy Getts, says as long as the goods – whether a bike, bubble wrap or a bed – are free, legal and suitable for all ages, they can be traded on the site for no cost. There are also no rules in how much people can take, compared to what they give, she said.
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Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to headboards: Old doors, windows and other unexpected items can all make fantastic backdrops for your bed. Take a look at these inventive headboards to get ideas for your own bedroom.
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THE saying one man’s trash, is another man’s treasure rings true for Facebook group Freecycle Gladstone.
Robin MacDonald has been one of the admins of the Facebook group for the past year, and since he signed up about 2000 more people joined.
Members of the group post their unwanted items for others to use.
“It helps people get rid of items they can’t get rid of themselves.”
Their old-fashioned values and strict rules of the use of please and thank you have resulted in a positive and friendly Facebook group.
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Of course, this list just scratches the surface of where you can go to recycle things you use in your everyday life. One “service” I continue to rely on to get rid of things I no longer need is Freecycle, where one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. It’s the ultimate way to recycle household items you no longer want or need—by giving them away for free to others.
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Engaging
He said: “People are engaging with reuse more and more, whether through websites such as eBay or Freecycle, and the next step is to encourage this among retailers on the high street.
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Photo courtesy of The Freecycle Network Deron Beal founded the Freecycle Network in 2003.
Offer: purple bike 19 in wheels (75223); Taken: purple bike 19 in wheels (75223); Offer: Bale of hay (75228); Wanted: gallon glass jar (75218); Nov. 4, 2013, digest #2975. So goes the pattern of recycling, Freecycle Network style.
When you donate an item to one of the many charitable organizations, which pick up from your home or have donation bins placed around town, it’s a kind, altruistic gesture. Though most of the philanthropic organizations are undoubtedly trustworthy, you never really know if the item’s going to someone who needs or wants it, or if it’s going anywhere other than the trash bin. As it turns out, about 70 percent of donations to some of the organizations are thrown away.
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