Running a Freecycle Group

As co-owner of my local Freecycle group, I try to lead by example. Rather than throwing out things I no longer need or use, I offer them to others, who may be in need of them. And when I need something, especially something I think someone else may have lying around unused and taking up space, my group is the first stop I make. The goal of Freecycle is to keep tangible, usable items out of our landfills. Initially started in Tucson, Arizona, Freecycle is now a worldwide movement, encouraging others to keep items out of the landfill and recycle other items such as aluminum cans, newspapers, plastics, etc.

However, every moderator or group owner of Freecycle (who are all volunteers, and it depending on the group size it can be a time consuming effort) has “difficult” members. Members who think nothing of asking for (and these are all things I have seen personally) cars, homes, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, new furniture and clothing, items for furnishing an entire household from top to bottom, and the list goes on.

People either forget, or are misinformed of the true purpose of Freecycle. That is to keep items that are still useable, but headed to the landfill from actually getting to the landfill. What many people consider junk, is treasure to someone else – fabric remnants from a sewing project or old clothing can be a quilter’s dream, egg carton crates can be used by teachers for a myriad of craft projects, broken appliances are a handyman’s dream, empty baby food containers are great for storing small odds and ends for craft items and nails and screws in garages, the possibilities really are endless.

Yes, you often find a great treasure – furniture that is still usable but someone has bought new, baby or children’s clothes (I just gave away a huge trash bag of baby clothes earlier this week and a booster seat that had never been used!). You also see things that you wonder who would want it, but almost always someone does.

The only catch, is that everything must be free- no strings attached.

Running such a group can be easy and tiresome at the same time. Assuming all members follow the rules (which really are minimal), there’s few problems. One of the most consistent problems encountered in every group is the high number of ” No-Shows” that is, you posted something to give away, and someone says they want it. You set up a time for them to get it, and they never show.