by Tomm Swords

Created on: December 03, 2009

Freecycle serves two purposes:

First. If you have something you no longer need, but it is still useful, you can advertise the item as a freebie. Anyone who needs that item can come to your house and collect it.

If you need an item, but don't really want to pay for it, you can subscribe to a Freecycle group in your area and hope that someone is giving away what you need. Or you can put forward a wanted ad, and hope that someone replies.

Oh wait! Hang on! There is a third.

Did I forget to say that the main purpose of Freecycle is to make the planet a greener place? The Freecycle Organisation aims to divert items which are still usable away from landfill sites.

This is the beauty of Freecycle. Many people throw their unwanted, but still useful belongings, in the wheelie bin, or if it is too big, take it to the dump - the less responsible amongst us dump their rubbish where it where it shouldn't be dumped.

Anything being dumped, not only wastes space in terms of landfill and disposal sites, it also costs money to run dumps, incinerators and council refuse departments. This is a burden on the taxpayer. And besides, if the item you no longer require is useful, why not let someone else have the use of it. This brings forward a financial advantage, especially in these credit-crunch days we live in those who are struggling financially don't have to shell-out on buying.

Just imagine all those people out there struggling, to start a new home. Freecycle could be the answer. Maybe you need a dining table or a computer desk. Maybe even a whole set of kitchen units. There are televisions to be had, especially as those who can afford to change are turning to wide screens and sets with built in digital tuners. You might even need something as simple as a crockery set.

Or how about those with children. Raising a family costs money. Children need to be clothed. They also need to be kept busy. Freecycle is a great source of unwanted toys and games.

So what happens if you actually want to use Freecycle, either for giving or receiving? You simply reply to an ad and arrange a time for collection. Sounds easy right? Well it is that easy, but with anything where you may be going to a stranger's house, or strangers are coming to your house, you must be careful, and it is best not to be on your own, either as visitor or visited.

Don't be offended if when visiting someone you don't get tea and biscuits or a tour of the house; some people will like to be friendly and others not. Remember their house is just that - it is private property- the place where they live. So if you are shown the shed which houses the computer desk they are giving away, be grateful you are getting a freebie.

Also be prepared to be disappointed on a number of levels. You will get the person offering something up which, to be frank, is not only useless, but dirty and beyond repair. You might also be disappointed in that you will see an offer of something, but someone else will get it.

Freecycle is a fantastic idea. Recycling and re-using is not a new idea. Before the post-modern age, people's belongings were mended wherever possible and World War Two encouraged re-use. However this notion seems to have been forgotten until recent concerns regarding global warming Thankfully the Freecycle Organisation have reminded us of the idea of re-use.

Next time you are considering the dump for that unwanted item, consider Freecycle.

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