“We’ve been given seeds, tools and compost by our local SCATS store and members of the public have donated tools and equipment through Freecycle.
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Post by Category : UK
POPSOP.com: The ‘sharability’ of almost everything
At the beginning of 2014, Time named collaborative consumption as one of the “10 ideas that will change the world.” Collaborative consumption describes a shift in consumer values, from ownership to access. Together, communities and even entire cities are using less by renting, sharing, swapping and bartering products on a scale never experienced before. OneFineStay, for example, gives people the chance to stay in someone’s house while they’re away, whilst Freecycle allows us to exchange unwanted goods for free. These are just two examples of how collaborative consumption is transforming the way we live.
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The Guardian: Guerrilla gardening, Freecycle and swap till you drop: how to live for free
Clothing
Freecycle everything
If designer Gucci isn’t top of your wishlist, then clothing yourself for next to nothing isn’t as tricky as you might imagine. Clothes are more sharable and riper for “gift exchange” than other essential living items, which makes sourcing garments in the free economy easy. Sites like the Freecycle Network, a grassroots not-for profit organisation, and CraigsList offer up white goods, furniture and clothing for no cost. The premise is simple: specify where you are and what you’re after, and chances are you’ll find someone giving it away. A quick search for “women’s clothes” came up with a “donator” just 800m away from my flat. Some adverts are vague – “bag of clothes”, “women’s coats” – and some specific – “eight pairs of cut-off size 8 Levis”. Free items, with stories behind them; what’s not to love?
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Mail Online: Too much stuff? Ditch your junk before paying big storage fees
A lack of space and need to declutter has created a boom in self- storage. More than a quarter of a million people rent space with a specialist company to look after their possessions.
But these high-tech lock-ups, with their surveillance cameras and range of room sizes, are a costly way to store clutter you no longer need.
The first step to saving money on storage is to be ruthless with what you own. Throw out stuff you can live without or sell items using online sites such as eBay. Charity shops may benefit from a clear-out while you can also give away or swap items on website Freecycle.
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Royston Crow 24: Volunteers ready to launch Royston repair cafe
Royston Freecycle group will launch the café as it celebrates its 10th year of keeping old items in use in the town.
Volunteer repairers will be helping people to mend broken items at a free event at The Meridian School, in Garden Walk, on Sunday, February 9.
Anyone with something that needs mending – bikes, toys, clothes, tools, small items of furniture, electrical equipment including IT hardware – can bring their item to Meridian School between 10am-3pm.
The broken item will be assessed and, if it can be mended immediately, the owner will be shown how to do it. If the repair is more major, organisers will refer people to local professional repairers.
The Repair Café is free, but advance booking is required so organisers know what items will be arriving. Online booking is at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/royston-repair-cafe-tickets- 9844376796
For local updates and other information about repair and re-use go to www.facebook.com/RoystonRepairCafe or call Chris Lee on 07962 157589.
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The Telegraph: 50 ways to save money in 2014
36. Check out websites for freebies. Go to websites like Gumtree.co.uk or Freecycle.org for free bits of furniture, old electronics, books, clothes and other unwanted items.
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BBC News – Hampshire & Isle Of Wight: ‘Your dinner’s in the bin’ say Hampshire freegan friends
Libby, who says she is against consumerism, also decorates her home with lamps and ornaments found in bins or on the website Freecycle, on which people give away unwanted items.
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The Telegraph: How to get rid of unwanted Christmas gifts
… or give it away
Freecycle is the biggest online community through which people go seeking – or donating – goods. The site is national, but works best in cities where there is a greater chance of finding someone local who wants what you’re offering. Another website offering similar giveaway potential is myskip.com.
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Burton Mail: Free site growing from strength to strength
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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Yahoo Finance: 10 ways to cut the cost of running your home
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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