If you are not familiar with Freecycle, I am excited to be the one to let you in on this fabulous group.
It is a worldwide network with over 9 million members, where people give away stuff and also get stuff … all in their own neighborhood!
It costs nothing to participate, and the rewards are great.
Their mission statement sums it up, well:
“Our mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community.”
Simply, this is how it works:
First, you join your local Freecycle group. (links will follow)
(After joining, I suggest you follow the threads for a few days to get a feel for the activity in the group.)
Then …. jump in! Let the group know if you have something to give away, and members will contact you if they would like to ‘receive’ your item. OR If you see something that you would like, just contact that member and let them know that you would like to have it. It’s people just shifting around their stuff. Genius in its simplicity.
I have participated in Freecycle for years. I have given away lamps, a ping pong table, outdoor furniture and more. Things that I no longer needed, but were gladly received by others. I’ve been on the receiving end a few times, as well, and the experience has been delightful. Everyone wins!
Learn more about Freecycle at Freecycle.org.
Find a group in your area and make others happy as you simplify your life and whittle down your ‘stuff’ 
Alastair
/ February 17, 2013I tried giving my kids away on Freecycle but it didn’t work
Seriously, it is a godsend for people with no money. I found it really useful. Although there are some who use it and then sell what they have on eBay
sharechair
/ February 17, 2013Yes, Alastair, you are so right. What a godsend for people who need things …. such a resource! Many ‘givers’ ask for end-users only, but I know that doesn’t stop some from doing the selling-thing. That’s a shame, really. As a ‘giver’ I try to avoid those who I think might be taking advantage of the system.
Alastair
/ February 17, 2013I do. I like to think I can spot them, but unfortunately it’s not that easy
letstalkaboutfamily
/ February 17, 2013I used Freecycle when I was cleaning up my house to move. It made my life easier as people just came to pick up the things that they wanted.
sharechair
/ February 17, 2013Oh, yes! Once I had a big metal gazebo in the yard and people just came over, took it all apart and carted it away. They were happy and I was thrilled. Great organization.
The Retiring Sort
/ February 17, 2013Very cool way to recycle!
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013It sure is!
Gemma
/ February 17, 2013What a great idea. I will be checking this out. Thanks.
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013It is a wonderful way to recycle. Everyone wins!
Daniela
/ February 17, 2013I did not know about Freecycle but here in NZ we have something similar and I have given loads of stuff away that way and received some stuff … it is a fantastic idea! There is also a nice feeling of doing something useful without causing any harm at all!
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013That’s wonderful, Daniela. It is such a basic simple idea, and it’s so wonderful to see that it is working all over the world. Someone gets to use what you don’t need any more. Perfect!
valeriedavies
/ February 18, 2013what a great idea…will be getting on to this… I usually take stuff to the womens refuge who give it away for free, but again, as you say some people take advantage of this, and it really annoys me to see a small gang of not needy women getting down on it and carting it away!
Never mind, I say, someone who does need will find something here…
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013I agree, it is frustrating to see people take advantage of the system. But, like you, I try to keep in mind that MOST of the stuff gets distributed properly.
Long Life Cats and Dogs
/ February 18, 2013What a fantastic idea. Being in the hazardous waste remediation industry and knowing the pressure on landfill sites, this one definitely appeals to me. Of course, here in South Africa, it is always easy to find someone who is more than grateful to receive anything you no longer want, so I give away constantly. In fact, just gave a lamp away about 5 min ago. Weird how I read this post so shortly thereafter.
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013I love coincidences like that (your lamp). I looked on Freecycle and I see there is a group in South Africa. There are quite a number of “wants” on the list. I always find that hard. If I have it, and I see someone wants it, I feel the urge to give it away even if I wasn’t planning to! But then again, I can always spare sheets and towels and stuff like that, so it’s all good.
The Laughing Housewife
/ February 18, 2013I have been using it for years, as well as Freegle and Realcycle. We have given away and received everything from coat hangers to a car!
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013It’s so great to be able to connect the giver and the receiver through programs like this. I once had a huge pile of old landscape rocks in my yard that I no longer wanted. A freecycle person came and took them all away. I have no idea how I would have gotten rid of them without freecycle. I was delighted!
The Laughing Housewife
/ February 18, 2013I know exactly what you mean.
cyberbonn
/ February 18, 2013sounds great!
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013It is a wonderful world-wide organization. People helping people. Nothing better!
jacquiefioramonti
/ February 18, 2013I’d never heard of this before I read your post. Anyway, just signed up and found a group for Johannesburg! I regular have clear outs and looking for homes for good stuff. I noticed there was a family that recently lost everything. I’ll take your advice though and follow the threads for a while.
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013A lot depends on how active the group is, and you’ll learn that quickly by following the threads. Here in my town, it is VERY active, and things are exchanged with lightening speed. I hope it works out well for you. If so, it is a treasure!
tchistorygal
/ February 18, 2013Great Idea, Kathy. I hadn’t heard of that. I would love to have had your ping pong table.
Thanks again Kathy 
Marsha 
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013It is a great organization, and ‘stuff’ is getting traded around every day. Take a look in your own neighborhood. I’ll bet a ping pong table will surface at some point!
tchistorygal
/ February 18, 2013I will!!! Thanks Kathy!
EZPC Recycle, Inc.
/ February 18, 2013Reblogged this on SoCal's Electronics Recycling Resource.
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013Thank you for the reblog.
coastalcrone
/ February 18, 2013Great idea! My unwanted stuff usually goes to Goodwill.
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013I do a lot of that, too, but Freecycle works so well, and I love how “your stuff” goes directly to the person who wants it. I use them both.
Anonymous
/ February 18, 2013We use it in our community and its wonderful! I highly recommend it!
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013I’ve had only good experiences with it.
Glad you have positive feelings, too!
Anonymous
/ February 18, 2013We Freecycle and we love it! A great resource, as well as another way to meet more neighbors.
sharechair
/ February 18, 2013That’s true… there is a wonderful ‘personal’ side to Freecycle.
staffseen
/ February 19, 2013Great post. It’s so important we all keep stuff out of landfill. Thanks for sharing
eof737
/ February 21, 2013It;s a great concept when it works… Always liked the idea of it. and the org.
sharechair
/ February 22, 2013I’ve had (mostly) great experiences with Freecycle.