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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Post by Category : UK
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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Lets Recycle.com: LGA calls for joined up campaign on reuse
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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The Independent:9 cheap alternatives to heating a student house
Electric heaters
Obviously this still uses power and you buy one so it isn’t the most price friendly option but if there’s a spare one at home or you stumble across one on freecycle then it’s definitely worth using. Although it doesn’t help much if you spend a lot of time in different rooms, it’s a great way of heating a small area that you all share.
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BBC America: How to set up home from scratch
But getting back to the (comparatively) easy, fun stuff: shopping. Set a budget and get on with it. Try not to get distracted by cost comparison searches and the targeted pop ups for discounted furniture that will plague your Facebook from now until you die. Even if you’re a high-end kind of Brit, consider buying cheap basics to tide you over, then add nicer stuff once you’re settled and are confident that you’ll stay for a while. The good news is that America has Ikea, so you can buy a home starter kit for a few hundred dollars. If your pot of cash is tiny to non-existent, investigate craigslist.org, freecycle.org and your local Salvation Army and other thrift stores.
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The Telegraph: ‘Sharing saves us £20,000 a year’
Household furniture, tools and appliances are also increasingly shared. Popular online sites that allow people to do this include freecycle.org, swapz.co.uk and netcycler.co.uk.
Through these you can trade – or simply rent – household appliances.
If you are giving something away – through Freecycle, say – you have the satisfaction of knowing it is not wasted. But renting is also beneficial to both parties with items like steam cleaners, wallpaper strippers, strimmers and other goods commonly hired out for a small charge.
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Grand Designs Live: Ben Harrison -The Inside-out Freecycle Kitchen Garden
My name is Ben Harrison, I am a 22 year old Worcestershire based Landscaper, offering design and build services. I produce detailed designs to suit style, build cost and material preferences. I have a keen interest in upcyling existing materials and products; helping me create unique spaces in unlikely locations.
The Inside-out Freecycle Kitchen Garden
This garden will be designed making use of Freecycle and all other freely available recycled items that you would typically see in your kitchen. Sinks have become planters, tea cups and jars grow herbs and kitchen cabinets frame cleverly grown vegetables.
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Yahoo Finance: How to furnish a home for free
She regularly picks up materials that are being sent to the tip by owners, and combs websites such as Freecycle and Gumtree to pick up bargains.
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