Recycling: Is anyone a member of freecycle.org.?

Question

Is this a useful place to recycle stuff you don't need, or find something you do need?

Answer 1

It's a brilliant idea, I was a member for a while.

Answer 2

Yeah I'm a member, you join up to a local group on the Yahoo groups website. I've not exchanged anything yet but I'm moving to another country in July and plan to give away alot of stuff on freecycle, I also check it regularly for anything I'm looking out for and it's great for giving and receiving, soooo many different items are on there!

Answer 3

yes iam and its really good have given away some things and recieved everyone friendly try it!

Answer 4

yes I am. But while I generally think it's great, I find it less bother to give unwanted things to the next thriftstore and buy what I need there as well.

Answer 5

I'm a member and generally speaking it is good but you do get a minority who abuse it and always ask for stuff but never offer, and some do sell it on which is not really in the spirit of freecycle. I've given away clothes, curtains, bedding, two beds, a bike..oh, loads of odds and ends, but I haven't abused it by asking for loads of stuff, though I was the lucky recipient of a gate and an oil filled radiator at a time when our heating wasn't on, so I have benefitted too.

Answer 6

I'm a member. You can advertise to get rid of things you don't want and advertise for things you do. The most important rule is that you can't charge for the items.

I think its brilliant and we gave away a garage that would have cost us hundreds to get rid of, instead of going to landfill it went to someone who could use it again!

Answer 7

Yes, I've joined our local group. Recycled loads of things and got some nice bits of there. Very useful.

Answer 8

Yes, I got some free pumpkins for halloween and some laundry baskets. I've given away clothes, bedding and furniture I didn't want anymore. It's great! All you have to do is type in your city + freecycle into a search and it will give you the local group.

Answer 9

Hello

My Dad went to join and found out about there Yahho! Group. I let him join on my account just today! I got 9 emails from people who was giving away things or wanted certain things. I play guitar so as of course i'm looking for things on there about guitars. Its a good place but it does depend on what you're looking for. Its good just to get rid of a load of odd things. It is like a skip to put rubbish in and if you see something good in the skip you can just take it out.

Answer 10

Yes

Its can be annoying when people are asking for stuff instead of just sitting back and seeing what is posted.

But it is good. I have given away some items that i was going to chuck out, so its nice to think they will get some use.

Answer 11

It's hit or miss. It's a great way to get rid of stuff. In order to get stuff you really have to patrol it and jump right on the offers because it's often spoken for in seconds. I swear there are people on there all day, just being greedy and snatching stuff up for yard sales which is against the rules.

Answer 12

yes its very good,but ive still not used it cos i havnt got a car,maybe i should ask for one again !

Answer 13

i had never heard of it but have just been on the site after reading this post a its sounds a great idea so i have just joined my local group.

Answer 14

We had a beautiful walnut tree cut down, which made me very sad, but it was so fast growing that it tangled all our wires, was on the wrong side of the house, and the roots were invading the sewer pipe. I listed the wood on freecycle, so instead of paying to have the wood carted, wood carvers appeared out of no where and divided it up amongst themselves in a very civilized way. It was great to see most of our tree turned into musical instruments, etc. and not just burned as firewood. I never would have found these folks on my own. We disposed of all the duplicates when we consolidated our two families into one with little trouble. Dont let it bother you that some abuse the system. When you pick your recipient you can choose a school over an individual, for example or a pet rescue org. over a collector. Ask the people what they will do with your stuff and you will often be pleasantly surprised. Our advanced english books went to a student learning the language to teach in her home country, and sheet music went to a musician. I rarely ask for anything, it is more of a charity for others. Watch for opportunities to help the poor.

Answer 15

Yes, very much so.  No only I got hold of stuff I needed, like when my cooker packed it up and couldn't afford to buy one, and also got rid of stuff I had around the house, in good working order, but just gathering dust, like an organ, an ice cream maker even a redundant wardrobe.

Why throw away perfectly good stuff? Why not try to find somebody who needs/wants/can use it?

I have a friend who's husband works at the local tip, you wouldn't believe her house, it's like a palace. They have fantastic furniture and electric appliances, etc.. Everytime I ask her where she got things, the reply it's the same: somebody was getting rid of it at the tip.  Even the wallpaper!!!

Answer 16

Yes, I am.  I have offered goods on free cycle and have the feeling that many people acquire things and then sell them on.  This bugs me somewhat as I would rather give things to people who are going to make genuine good use of them and appreciate it, not make money out of me.