Freecycle offers alternative to trash cans, thrift shops
Debra Chapman
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News
Freecycle is an online group whose members offer free items they no longer want and can ask for anything they may be in need of.
Melanie Clevenger, a Freecycle moderator, said the group is a great resource for students.
According to the national Freecycle network Web site, www.freecycle.org, the group is "globally local," and each city has volunteer moderators and a unique e-mail group. Anyone living in that city is then welcome to post items to be given away or to seek items which they might be able to use.
According to the Freecycle network, whether it is an old door, a pile of dirt or a computer, it probably is being given away on one of the local groups already up and running.
According to the local group's Web site, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/lubbockfreecycle, there have been 269 new posts since April 16. Examples of recent posts include everything from giving away a foot bath to someone asking for a couch and loveseat.
"Freecycle is about keeping things out of the landfill that don't need to be in the landfill," Clevenger said. "When you post an item, you are offering a gift. Just because it doesn't have a life left with you doesn't mean it doesn't have a life with somebody else. If it is something that obviously needs to go to the landfill, we encourage that."
According to the national Freecycle network, its communities harnesses the power of the Internet to connect local individuals looking to give something away with those who would like to acquire it. The guiding principle is that everything be free, with no strings attached. It is a sort of grand cyber-curbside.
"It's not about getting as much free stuff as you can," Clevenger said, "it is about cleaning up your clutter, but letting somebody else benefit. And it's a community."
Peggy Bradford, a resident of Spur, is part of the Freecycle community.
"It's fantastic," Bradford said. "I think it's doing a really good service for the public. I have given things away like children's clothes. I'm a foster parent, so I have these things accumulated. I've picked up baby items, a weed-eater that only needed minor work and a dorm-sized refrigerator. Nearly everything you want, somebody has it."
According to national Web site, Freecycle now has almost 5 million members in more than 80 countries and boasts that it keeps more than 300 tons a day out of landfills. The local group has almost 3,000 members.
"I love it," Clevenger said. "I have never been a recycler, but this has changed my whole way of thinking. And to be honest, in the beginning, I was helping a friend. I've given away a lot of old clothes of my daughter's. You just post it and tell people to 'come and get it if you want it.'"
Clevenger said people often get many answers to their offers to give something away. The person is then free to give the items to anyone they want.
"You aren't obligated to give it to someone who is rich or poor," Clevenger said, "or who has one kid or 15 kids."
Melanie Clevenger, a Freecycle moderator, said the group is a great resource for students.
According to the national Freecycle network Web site, www.freecycle.org, the group is "globally local," and each city has volunteer moderators and a unique e-mail group. Anyone living in that city is then welcome to post items to be given away or to seek items which they might be able to use.
According to the Freecycle network, whether it is an old door, a pile of dirt or a computer, it probably is being given away on one of the local groups already up and running.
According to the local group's Web site, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/lubbockfreecycle, there have been 269 new posts since April 16. Examples of recent posts include everything from giving away a foot bath to someone asking for a couch and loveseat.
"Freecycle is about keeping things out of the landfill that don't need to be in the landfill," Clevenger said. "When you post an item, you are offering a gift. Just because it doesn't have a life left with you doesn't mean it doesn't have a life with somebody else. If it is something that obviously needs to go to the landfill, we encourage that."
According to the national Freecycle network, its communities harnesses the power of the Internet to connect local individuals looking to give something away with those who would like to acquire it. The guiding principle is that everything be free, with no strings attached. It is a sort of grand cyber-curbside.
"It's not about getting as much free stuff as you can," Clevenger said, "it is about cleaning up your clutter, but letting somebody else benefit. And it's a community."
Peggy Bradford, a resident of Spur, is part of the Freecycle community.
"It's fantastic," Bradford said. "I think it's doing a really good service for the public. I have given things away like children's clothes. I'm a foster parent, so I have these things accumulated. I've picked up baby items, a weed-eater that only needed minor work and a dorm-sized refrigerator. Nearly everything you want, somebody has it."
According to national Web site, Freecycle now has almost 5 million members in more than 80 countries and boasts that it keeps more than 300 tons a day out of landfills. The local group has almost 3,000 members.
"I love it," Clevenger said. "I have never been a recycler, but this has changed my whole way of thinking. And to be honest, in the beginning, I was helping a friend. I've given away a lot of old clothes of my daughter's. You just post it and tell people to 'come and get it if you want it.'"
Clevenger said people often get many answers to their offers to give something away. The person is then free to give the items to anyone they want.
"You aren't obligated to give it to someone who is rich or poor," Clevenger said, "or who has one kid or 15 kids."
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