Freecycle Now

I have just began using an interesting website Freecycle.org . Freecycle is a project, nationwide but used at the local level designed to let people who have things, stuff they don't need get that stuff back into circulation free! This is great, I have used Freecycle and it works remarkably well. It's a great way to get rid of the stuff hat is taking up room in your house or apartment. You don not charge anything for it and those who want the materials just come by and pick the stuff up. Wow! Already we have used freecycle to get apricots, and a perfectly good printer for our laptop—complete with ink. The system uses Yahoo Newsgroup and that is Wok by me. The only drawback is that new posts are sent to your Yahoo mail account so you have to keep up with the new arrivals but that is a small price to pay for what is offered. I fear one has to offer a fair amount of self discipline so you don't end up hording this stuff,”take what you can use and leave the rest for others.” I m not sure what kind of system this is, maybe a loose form of socialism with a capitalist twist but that is a long guess but, what I have seen, is that this system seems to work.

I learned of Freecycle from Mark A who used the service to get a “new” monitor for his system. I was hesitant at first but have become quite a believer. To see the program operate is mind boggling: a sub system which circumnavigates the big system. No money or trades are allowed just a transfer of goods by those who no longer need it or can use them. In th sort time I have been envolved I have seen everything from fruit(u-pick off my tree)

to clothes, appliances and computers. There seems o be two categories “offer” and “Want”. “Offer” is someone who wishes to list an item(s) to give away and “”Want” someone who obviously need something. The “want”s are kind of heart breaking “My kid needs a bike” “school clothes”

“I need Jazz tickets” “baby formula” etc. The system has monitors who control the entries and the FAQ explains the program well. The introduction to Freecycle , I think does a great job of explaining that the system only work if the “offers” come in on regular bases the offers seem to do just that. We have not posted any “offers “ yet but plan too.

This country needs a program like Freecycle! We all have too much stuff just check out your garage. The other major drawback is those who really need free stuff are most likely, not on the web. If these folks know about Freecycle they could access the website via the library or a friend or relative who does have access.. I can hardly wait till Fall, I know the will be tons of apples listed and I am going to get some.

Go to the website, unregister you will be surprised at what is available.