I'm sure I'm not the only tree-hugger in this lot, so I thought I'd pass on something I recently learned about in our area. A friend of mine told me about something called Freecycle - local groups (and there are several in our area) who set up list-serves on Yahoo. It matches people who have things they need to get rid of with people who can use them.
The goal is to keep usable items out of the landfill. By using what we already have on this earth, we can reduce consumerism, manufacture fewer goods, and lessen the impact on the earth. This also encourages folks to get rid of junk that they no longer need and promote community involvement in the process. Free your inner pack rat!
Make the jump
I just joined a group started last year, and this is one of thousands all over the world. It's an idea that's growing fast - the first group was set up in Arizona just three years ago so you can see how quickly this is catching on.
You can find the main web-site for this at http://www.freecycle.org/ From the site's introduction...
The Freecycle NetworkTM is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by clicking on the region on the left. You may then go directly to your local group by clicking on "Go To" or you may immediately joining by clicking on "Join." It will generate an automatic e-mail which, when sent, will sign you up for the local group and send you a response with instructions on how it works. Can't find a group near you? You might want to consider starting one (click on "Start a Group" for instructions). Have fun!
I'm always looking for bargains - yard sales, rummage sales, garage sales, thrift shops, consignment... and you can't beat free when you're looking for deals. This is also a great way to clear out the clutter in your attic, basement, garage, and / or shed. And it sure beats the hell out of getting everything out, sorting and tagging it, hauling it out to the front yard or whatever, sitting there all day ONLY to haul it back into your attic at the end of the day (after listening to person after person after person say "50 cents for that kid's turtle neck shirt? Will you take a quarter?"). Argh!!! I've always loved the idea of having a yard sale because it passes my old stuff on to someone else who can use it.
This sounds like a piece of cake - as well as a no-brainer.
At any rate, the intro note from my local group asked me to "pay it forward" and pass the word on to three or four of my friends & family. As far as I'm concerned, the people of this caring community count as friends so there you have it. CHeck it out - join - and pass your stuff on to someone else who can give it a new home, and appreciate it.
Peace.
