| Author | Content |
ButterflyChaser
Northeast, AR
(Zone 7a)
February 6, 2006
12:52 PM Post #2026528
| Any Freecyclers here?
For those of you who don't know, [HYPERLINK@www.freecycle.org] is a "recycling" group of sorts. It's a national thing with small groups all over the country. There's one freecycle group right in my city and one in a neighboring city. Others are within 45 minutes to an hour of me. You can go to the site and find one near you or even consider starting your own group in your own town.
The purpose of Freecycle is to recycle items that might otherwise end up in the city landfill. For instance, prescription bottles are often tossed. But they're great to keep seeds, buttons, and beads, other craft items in. A kid's bike that you no longer want might be just right for somebody else's kid. Clothes or furniture you no longer want may be needed by someone else. You wouldn't believe the stuff people give away. I got a nice rubbermaid compost bin on wheels for free from a freecycler. And I've given away tons of stuff that I would have thought no one would have wanted. They saved me many trips to the dump!
The way it works is you post on your local group (on the internet) what you have to offer and other members of your group email you if they want it. You choose who gets it. You can also post a Wanted post in which you list some things you're looking for, within reason, of course. EVERYTHING must be FREE, no buying, selling, or trading. Every item is no strings attached.
Our local group meets every other Saturday and exchanges items. I don't attend the meetings and I stipulate in my posts that the recipients must pick the items up at my house. Most people will come when they say they will, but a few never show, never call. So then I reoffer the items.
It's a great way to De-Clutter. And it may just save you the hassle of carting stuff off to Goodwill or the landfill. You might even get something great.
I don't know if it's the national rule, but in our group, your first post must be an offer, not a want, in the spirit of giving.
If you are a Freecycler, what are some of the things you've given and some of the things you've received? |
Yuska
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 8b)
February 6, 2006
3:06 PM Post #2026749
| I'm definitely a fan! In another thread I mentioned that I recently gave away a working CRT computer monitor and next week i plan to list two all-in-one printer/scanner units. When I go for HDTV my 22-yr old set, still working okay, will be offered. I haven't requested anything. I especially like that the takers come to pick the offered goods. Yuska |
cjolene
Emporia, KS
(Zone 5b)
February 7, 2006
2:27 AM Post #2028017
| I used craigslist.org, but I got my piano by freecycling. It smelled REALLY nasty and many of the keys were broken, but Doug fixed them and it's great now!
I've given away a fridge that worked great, but was a deep chocolate brown. Our house was dark to begin with...very depressing. I was declaring war on dark brown, and so it had to go.
So I laughed when I got the piano- it had been painted a dark brown. |
Starzz
Newcastle, ON
(Zone 5a)
February 7, 2006
8:40 AM Post #2028260
| I thought that freecycle was only in the U.S. So I clicked on your link.
To my surprise there are several in my area..so I joined last night.
But now I am wondering if it is safe to have strangers come to your door. I live alone.
Hmmmmmm??????
|
ButterflyChaser
Northeast, AR
(Zone 7a)
February 7, 2006
10:00 AM Post #2028408
| Starzz, you may check to see if they have weekly meetings. Ours meets at the park and you can visit with members.
Our group also has a sister group for chatting, like we do here at Daves. So you might ask about that. Or even suggest these two ideas to your administrator.
I haven't had any problem with people coming to my house...so far. But I did attend the first couple of meetings and meet a lot of the more active members. But you never know when you'll run into a psycho. I know a lot of folks in our group are worried about that, so they just go to the meetings and deliver their items. Or they meet them in public areas (mall parking lot or someplace). I usually have way too much and I don't wanna haul it all. I like the convenience of people hauling my "trash" off for me for free. LOL
Miss Lazy Jeans
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Starzz
Newcastle, ON
(Zone 5a)
February 7, 2006
10:22 AM Post #2028459
| Thanks for the info.
I like the idea of having people take things away too..
I'll see how it goes...it doesn't look like a real active group right now..just 340 members.
Some things are too heavy for me to handle alone.
I usually have to call my son for heavy things..or my Son in law.
I have a baby crib outside now waiting for pick-up on our usual garbage day. You have to call them if you have large items. My son in law brought it upstairs for me last week. It is not up to the safety code..it has those S hooks for the spring..which I read are not safe anymore.
I'm taking more magazines to work today..
Have a good one..
Bye for now
Carol
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ButterflyChaser
Northeast, AR
(Zone 7a)
February 7, 2006
10:30 AM Post #2028479
| Carol, have you considered using the baby bed in your garden? I've seen garden beds made from old beds? Or you might set up a little scene using the sides of the baby bed as a fence.
Or maybe you could use it to make a bench for this guy.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Starzz
Newcastle, ON
(Zone 5a)
February 7, 2006
7:20 PM Post #2029454
| Aren't they wonderful!
I have seen those in gardening magazines.
I did consider keeping the side railngs..to make a little fence...or a trellis..hmmmmmmmm..maybe..they don't pick up till Thursday.
I'm thinking... |
maggiemoo
Conroe, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 8, 2006
11:31 AM Post #2030759
| Starzz, definitely, that crib could be used in so many ways in your garden. Snatch it back!
I'm about to list a 1981 BMW 321i on freecycle. Maybe someone can sell it for scrap metal, or perhaps it would be a good father-son project to fix it. I don't have any way to haul it off myself.
|
ButterflyChaser
Northeast, AR
(Zone 7a)
February 8, 2006
1:40 PM Post #2030855
| Maggiemoo, I bet you could SELL it on Ebay. Car parts are actually worth more than the car. Light covers, mirrors, etc could make you a bit of garden money. Check Ebay and see what similar parts are going for. You may just find that it's worth it to strip it down (the parts you can access yourself) and make a profit. Or you may just find a "collector" who'd pay good money and come and get it. I've learned that just about everything is worth something, thanks to Ebay. |
maggiemoo
Conroe, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 16, 2006
12:26 PM Post #2048785
| Sorry for the slow reply, I've been out of town.
The DH of a friend of mine did some research a while back re selling the car or parts on ebay, said there really isn't any demand at all for this year/model on ebay (he sells a lot on ebay). My son had the car posted on craigslist and some other places, interested people became un-interested once they saw that they would have to haul it with two flat tires and they couldn't be sure if they could get it to work. Scrap metal places wanted to charge me to haul it off. I figured people might be interested if it was free - what could they lose? - and I just wanted it off of my driveway.
I listed it and got 27 replies in an hour! Contacted the 1st guy, he picked it up the next day, and was happy to have it. I'm so glad it's gone! It was nice to drive up to the house after being out of town and not have that eye-sore to greet me!
|
WUVIE
Hulbert, OK
(Zone 7a)
February 21, 2006
6:52 PM Post #2061364
| I just love the idea of Freecycle, but unfortunately in our area, folks were
abusing it, using it for a "Gimmie" board instead of a recycling board.
"My husband wants a fishing boat, the kids need a Playstation and a swimming
pool would be nice too" type of posts. As if. The one that really floored me was
"We have a push mower but want a riding mower if anyone has one they don't
use anymore."
Next come the "Left my husband, want a new bed, but I prefer one with four
posts, walnut or cherry" and such.
Good grief!
We gave away a copier, it was huge and weighed a ton, but it worked. The
folks that picked it up were clearly disappointed. Though it was free, the look
on their faces was something along the lines of "It's not new".
Sheesh!
Having given much away, I was delighted to be the recipient of a truck load
of free concrete board and ceramic tiles. What a great find! We thanked the
man profusely!
Butterflychaser, I just LOVE that image you posted. Too cute, and a
must do for sure, thanks!
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marybmerry
Gilmer, TX
March 16, 2006
4:45 PM Post #2117104
| Hi, are there any freecyclers around the Longview, Tx area?
|
maggiemoo
Conroe, TX
(Zone 9a)
March 20, 2006
8:06 PM Post #2126484
| Yes, there is one listed as "Longview, Gilmer, Gladewater" Here is the link to it:
[HYPERLINK@groups.yahoo.com]
|
teateacher
Franklin Springs, GA
(Zone 7b)
March 21, 2006
8:16 AM Post #2127356
| We have a freecycle group in my area and I don't know if I'm just not in the 'groove' or what... but I've listed some very NICE things (furniture) with no reply at all. The one twin bed someone actually called for, they never came to pick up. I ended up taking them to a charity house. I hope others have better luck. I think it's an excellent concept if enough people are involved. sharon |
4paws
Hoopa, CA
(Zone 8b)
March 29, 2006
7:28 PM Post #2148717
| This is great - thank you for posting this! I've got lots of stuff to share and just hate to toss good stuff. Thank you!!! |
Sheila_FW
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 29, 2006
9:11 PM Post #2149016
| Freecycle is a terrific way to clean out the clutter. I have given away a lot of things I hadn't thought about in years just by reading the wanted lists. My first was a lady that wanted a dehydrator. Well that thing was outta here! It had collected dust in my pantry for years! Then I had a great-nephew come on the scene and when I kept him the first time, I realized how much I needed a playpen. I happened to see a good condition Lion King one on freecycle. Knowing that I wouldn't buy a new one, I took the playpen. It was in super condition. Now I don't need it anymore and this thread just reminded me it is collecting dust in the garage, time to freecycle it!
Since a lot of you are gardeners, you can appreciate these offers too. I was redoing my flower beds in front and ripped out 80 foot of wide black edging. Went inside and put it on freecycle, it was gone before dark! I have also gotten 9 bags of dry leaves picked up, good for compost pile!
Oh...
South of me is a group that has a yearly freecycle meet of sorts. People drop off their large goods at this lady's place a week or so before and bring smaller items on the day of the swap, leave them and pick up what they want. Haven't gone, but it sounded like a blast!
If you haven't tried it yet...you will one day...and you will love it. |
EmilyGrace
Saint Clair Shores, MI
March 31, 2006
11:45 AM Post #2152816
| I just joined the group in my area! This sounds like a great idea...mostly because I hate to throw useful things away, but I don't have the time to have a garage sale every weekend! :) |
bseddon
Pittsfield,, MA
(Zone 5b)
April 5, 2006
9:13 AM Post #2165329
| I LOVE freecycle...As I go through my house in an attempt to declutter, I list stuff. Often gone in a matter of hours. And I got a 'like new' VCR for the extra tv. we got a plotter printer, didn't like it, re-listed it and it's gone. Listed a freezer and it went altho not ot a freecycler...(she couldn't get a vehicle to pick it up), I do see a lot of gimmes tho and that kind of bugs me.
|
Sheila_FW
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 8a)
April 5, 2006
7:27 PM Post #2166851
| Well, I know there are a lot of the wants on all of the freecycle group sites, but I enjoy reading some of them, because they remind me of things that I have and didn't think about passing on. I figure the gimme's will get tired of asking for the MP3's etc. and then give up after a while. The takers that I don't like are those that are looking for items to resale. But you can usually know who they are, because they will want everything everyone lists. Like women's clothes in 4 different sizes, etc. If I want someone to profit from my used items, I will give to Goodwill, etc., where the money benefits more than one person.
Sorry, off my soap box now...LOL! |
WUVIE
Hulbert, OK
(Zone 7a)
April 21, 2006
11:31 AM Post #2208417
| Sheila,
Right there with you on the reselling folks. I tend to wait until there
are a few replies, then choose from the person who sounds more like
a nice person hoping to turn my trash into treasure.
Goodwill is great, too. No replies on the Freecycle for a bag of
assorted clothing, wire hangers, one candlestick and a dog bowl. LOL
In fact, I just made a drop this morning and my closet is looking good now!
:-) |
andidandi
April 21, 2006
4:23 PM Post #2208989
| I'm amused to read this thread because my observation has been, like that of some people on the thread, that people looking for cheap/free items expect something for nothing. Like a mahogany suite for free. I would guess that it's less headache to sell it for a small amount than to attract people looking for free items. |
Sheila_FW
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 8a)
April 21, 2006
11:05 PM Post #2210079
| Starzz...If you are concerned with strangers coming to your home, just say you will leave it at the side of the garage, etc.
I usually do that after my first experience of having people ring the doorbell and I hand them the items. They were never on time, etc. So I started leaving them outside the house. I would bag items and put near my trash bins, or small ones inside my garden hose box. If I had more than one person coming at the same time, the different locations would keep them from picking up other's items.
|
Tir_Na_Nog
May 4, 2006
12:01 PM Post #2248145
| Pretty neat!
This message was edited May 4, 2006 11:04 AM |
Kmoran02
Albany, NY
(Zone 5b)
June 2, 2006
10:03 PM Post #2346012
| Hope you all dont mind a newbie chiming in here, but I thought I would let you all know that there is also another group, alot like freecycle that is nice too. It is Sharingisgiving.org. There are lots of groups and probably one in your area too! :)
Kelly |
gertiegirl
tottenham
(Canada)
July 5, 2006
1:20 PM Post #2470399
| I LOVE freecycle! I have given away quite a few things that were probably destined for the garbage heap if it wasn't for freecycle!
I found a way to deal with the people who want everything... I list a bunch of items and take names for a couple days. I then do a draw, and that's who gets the item. I find those who put their names on everything won't come pick up just one item... so hopefully that means it goes to someone who can really use it.
Along those lines, my biggest beef is people who don't come to pick items up... grrrrrrrrrrr... don't say you want it if you aren't going to pick it up! I actually had someone who wanted some body scrub I had. Two new bottles. Even after I said in the original email it would have to be picked up, she emailed me after she got the item and wanted me to drive it to her... about 15 miles away! I told her she would have to pick it up... and never heard from her again...
I've only received one item.. well.. actually a couple from the same person... a dining set and an old dresser. Both were quite beat up and needed some repairs and refinishing... we just got done with them and they look amazing! We haven't had a table and chairs for months now... and couldn't find anything we liked... now we love this set!
jacqui |
teateacher
Franklin Springs, GA
(Zone 7b)
July 5, 2006
2:02 PM Post #2470574
| Jacqui, congrats on the new eating facilities! I've not taken anything from freecycle but I have given many things away. We sold 2 weekend places and it was helpful for me to not have to haul that stuff away. I agree with your grrrrrr... about those people who don't pick up. I learned the hard way to keep the contact info of people who contacted me after the item was promised. On several occassions I've made those calls several days after the 'promised to person' didn't pick up, and the furniture was then taken by the next person.
My distress with freecycle in my area is the people who continue to post things like "igloo cooler ~ split down one side but still keeps stuff cold". And they post it week after week after week. Now WHO wants a busted cooler? I realize some people use those coolers for a one time use, like to haul stinky fish in or something... but you can find as many as you want on the side of the highway! haha. |
iamakylady53
Louisville, KY
(Zone 6a)
July 22, 2006
8:48 PM Post #2535936
| The moderator of the freecycle in Louisville, will boot someone off if they have 2 no shows registered against them.
My daughter and I give and take from freecycle all the time.
It is great!
Kathy |
roadrunner
Hereford, AZ
(Zone 8a)
August 15, 2006
10:23 AM Post #2624342
| I love freecycle...I just posted an old set of World Book Ency. The first person to respond was a young man in my area that had given me a printer on Freecycle last year...since I am going to be going by his house today to get a perm...I offered to drop them off. He is such a nice young man...still in school. Jo |
Sheila_FW
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 15, 2006
8:04 PM Post #2626201
| I had four tickets I had won for a ballgame in the local area, but was unable to attend when the day got there. I listed them on the local freecycle group and within minutes I had six replies. I chose a single Mom that was moving out of the area and her son was a big baseball fan, and was sad because he was leaving friends. She thought it would be a nice surprise for him. I taped them to the inside screen door and went on my way. Much to my surprise the next day, she emailed me a great picture of her son at the game, he was beaming. They invited a friend that was involved with Big Brothers and he brought his "little" brother along. That was a good feeling and made my day. |
roadrunner
Hereford, AZ
(Zone 8a)
August 15, 2006
8:34 PM Post #2626313
| Shelia...that was a great thing to do...I know it made you feel good too. Jo |
Sheila_FW
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 15, 2006
11:24 PM Post #2627354
| Hi Jo! ((waving!!))
Yes it did. I just hated to see the tickets not be used. So many people when tickets are free, don't value them, and don't feel obligated to go. If you stop and think about freecycling the "opportunity" for someone that will use them, you get a blessing.
Oh, I forgot to say why she sent the picture! Her son said he wanted her to send the picture to the nice lady that gave him the tickets! LOL!
Hope to see you again at the RU in College Station! |
roadrunner
Hereford, AZ
(Zone 8a)
August 16, 2006
7:59 AM Post #2627942
| Sheila...I doubt I'll make another trip for a while...but I know ya'll will have a great time. Jo |
WUVIE
Hulbert, OK
(Zone 7a)
August 17, 2006
10:23 AM Post #2631386
| My parents recently moved into a new home that came with tons
of furniture. After contacting a local charity, we felt warm and fuzzy
that a couple with EIGHT kids needed furniture, as they had nothing.
The couple arrived, obviously expecting child number NINE, and nit-picked
the items, taking only 'the best' items available. I would think that if your children
were sleeping on the floor, you can't expect a Simmons Serta and Sealy still in
plastic wrap. Sheesh! Wish we had posted on Freecycle instead!
Then you've got your thrift store folks who want to take everything free and sell it.
Freecycle is a great program with good intentions, but there are always the
bad apples who ruin it for others. It's not a charity and it's not a free-for-resale.
Alas, I haven't given up on them. I'll be listing things soon which I hope will be
of use to someone with good intentions.
:-) |
stillwood
Franklinton, NC
August 27, 2006
5:14 PM Post #2665554
| I just looked at the Granville County Freecycle site - going there from the main Freecycle site. When I clicked on "Join" it took me to Yahoo and wanted me to get a Yaholl id number, etc. Is this correct? Why would that be necessary? |
Sheila_FW
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 27, 2006
5:55 PM Post #2665682
| The freecycle site you went to is a "yahoo group". If you already have membership in a yahoo group, you can use the same ID. If not then you will have to create one. It is just like your ID on DG ...stillwood. It will appear whenever you make a post, just like on this site. Hope that helps explain it. |
roadrunner
Hereford, AZ
(Zone 8a)
August 27, 2006
8:04 PM Post #2665998
| yep...and I have some vertical blinds to put on ours...Jo |
Sheila_FW
Fort Worth, TX
(Zone 8a)
August 27, 2006
8:17 PM Post #2666038
| I think that is what I am going to be doing during my recovery after surgery. Since I will be home and can put out things everyday, I may get shed of a lot of "junk". |
