Freecycle growing at double the rate since financial crisis began
Filed under: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Simplification
While I'm sure ex-Lehman bankers (some of which are my former bosses) aren't scrounging through trash cans for perfectly good hot dogs, like the poster boy for Freecycling in this BusinessWeek article, I love the factoid near the end of the piece: "since Wall Street imploded [Freecycle] has been registering 50,000 more each week, up from 25,000 previously." I have to wonder: are investment bankers now using Freecycle to get rid of their stuff or is it just that people whose credit cards are limited are looking elsewhere for their material goods?Freecycle may not make good photo ops, like dumpster diving does, but it certainly makes sense in a down economy. Save money and time on trash and dumpster trips by having a network member (and, in all likelihood, complete stranger) haul your unused items away. On the other end, save money and the planet by getting the things you need for free, from someone else who doesn't want them any more. Having built a fence almost entirely out of recycled materials, I can attest to the feeling of satisfaction you get when you achieve the Freecycle twist on the American Dream: getting what the Joneses have, only without the credit card balance.
Even before the stock market started making pretty little hills and valleys for my kids to pretend to drive their (thrifted) Hot Wheels all over it, WalletPop writers firmly believed in the power of free stuff. We stand by our love of Freecycle and any other way of turning trash into useful stuff. The more Americans who opt into this "economy" in which items are freely given and taken with gratitude, the better.
Recession Watch
A Saudi youth takes a picture of Koenigsegg CCXR, worth nine million Riyal (2,400,128 USD), during a luxury auto exhibition in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah late October 28, 2008. Despite fears of a global recession, economic turmoil and heavy losses in stock markets, Saudi Arabia as well other Gulf countries continue to announce new mega development projects and host luxury exhibitions. AFP PHOTO/OMAR SALEM (Photo credit should read Omar Salem/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Saudi youths inspect a Koenigsegg CCXR car during a luxury auto exhibition in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah late October 28, 2008. Despite fears of a global recession, economic turmoil and heavy losses in stock markets, Saudi Arabia as well other Gulf countries continue to announce new mega development projects and host luxury exhibitions. AFP PHOTO/OMAR SALEM (Photo credit should read Omar Salem/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
A trader rests beside telephones at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila's financial district in Makati on October 28, 2008. Philippine share prices closed 0.5 percent lower with bargain-hunters limiting further falls a day after the key index plunged 12.3 percent on global recession fears, dealers said. The composite index lost 9.42 points to 1,704.41. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Filipino traders monitor share prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila's financial district in Makati on October 28, 2008. Philippine share prices closed 0.5 percent lower with bargain-hunters limiting further falls a day after the key index plunged 12.3 percent on global recession fears, dealers said. The composite index lost 9.42 points to 1,704.41. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
A trader conducts transactions on the phone infront of a monitor showing the share prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila's financial district in Makati on October 28, 2008. Philippine share prices closed 0.5 percent lower with bargain-hunters limiting further falls a day after the key index plunged 12.3 percent on global recession fears, dealers said. The composite index lost 9.42 points to 1,704.41. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Filipino traders monitor share prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila's financial district in Makati on October 28, 2008. Philippine share prices closed 0.5 percent lower with bargain-hunters limiting further falls a day after the key index plunged 12.3 percent on global recession fears, dealers said. The composite index lost 9.42 points to 1,704.41. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, October 28, 2008. U.S. stocks rose at the open on Tuesday as investors snapped up beaten-down shares and bet that credit markets would see a further thaw, overshadowing worries about the global recession. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
This view shows Anderson bridge against the business district buildings in Singapore on October 28, 2008. Singapore's economy, which is already in a technical recession, will remain weak in 2009 on projections the global economic outlook will deteriorate further, the central bank said on October 28. AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN (Photo credit should read ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange October 28, 2008. U.S. stocks rose at the open on Tuesday as investors snapped up beaten-down shares and bet that credit markets would see a further thaw, overshadowing worries about the global recession. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Pedestrians walk past an electronic billboard displaying the drop in the main Singapore indices in the financial district of Singapore on October 28, 2008. Singapore shares had tumbled almost 6.0 percent, or 95.86 points to 1,504.42, by midday with investors gripped by fears of a global recession, dealers said. AFP PHOTO/ROSLAN RAHMAN (Photo credit should read ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-29-2008 @ 2:27PM
peter zelis said...
nice
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 5:56PM
joncdodge said...
GREAT!
Bored? Check out my blog http://curiousread.com
Thanks
Jon
10-29-2008 @ 2:49PM
getwau said...
Freecycle is an excellent idea!
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 3:35PM
Christine said...
I've been a member of my local Freecycle organization for several years now, and I'm a big fan. I've been able to get rid of all sorts of misc. junk from my house while giving it a second life with someone else and reducing the landfill load, too. It's a winning situation all the way around. My only complaint is with "bad egg" members, but you'll have those in any group or organization. My biggest peeve is people who use the list to post ridiculous "wants" that nobody in their right mind would ever think were destined for the landfill - things like flat-screen monitors, digital cameras, even cars. Other annoyances are people who promise to pick up your items and never show, those who expect delivery service of their free items, and just plain rude people who respond to offers with an email containing nothing but their phone number (as if I'm going to call you to ask for the pleasure of giving you my stuff for free). But, all in all, these are relatively minor bumps in a road that serves the greater good.
Reply
10-30-2008 @ 6:15AM
Betty said...
I agree, my pet peeve is those who post a "List of Wants" and it's all HIGHLY COLLECTABLE children's books, Antiques, stuff that the poster will only sell on Ebay and make a fortune off of your ignorance.
I have also been a member for yrs and have given away many nice things, from good cook ware, small appliances, good clothing/coats..etc. I did post a want one time for a twin bed... trying to help a little autistic child..... and got a very nice twin bed/mattress, even sheets!!!
I hate it when people always "WANT" what you got, but don't show up. I once gave away a sewing machine. I have a number of machines, this one was a home type singer in great condition. I had so many responces,,,, BUT had several that only said something like look..."Where are you? Is this a piece of junk? I don't want to waste my time if it's crap"... lol they never found out...I simply deleted their responce.
With the economic mess this country is in... Freecycle is a wonderful way to save money and help others.
10-29-2008 @ 4:13PM
donstillings said...
If I was there I would key the thing:-) You know, this is evidence of the fact that the people with money don't use it to create jobs...they just buy more expensive toys.
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 5:42PM
Pat said...
If it isn't your money, why do you think you should be telling someone how to spend it. I would bet no one tells you how to spend your money or how to run you life? For most of us, It is called minding ones own business.
10-29-2008 @ 7:06PM
Tom Tully said...
Yeah? You're probably the cretin that keyed my new sports car a couple of weeks ago. I guess you a--holes are everywhere!
11-06-2008 @ 1:25AM
jane said...
So who makes and sells the "toys?" Spending money IS creating jobs! I usually give my unwanted stuff to charity rummage sales and thrift shops that support causes in my area.
10-29-2008 @ 4:59PM
Lynnette said...
I have checked Freecycle out a few times, but have never found what I was looking for. On the other hand, I can almost always find what I am looking for on Craigslist, however, over the past six years it has changed so much that I rarely bother looking there either these days. Greed has taken over Craigslist posters ... everything used to be free or for trade, now people are asking top dollar for their used items. I say it's better to "Freecycle" or pay it forward than to be greedy, but hey, that's just me!
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 10:40PM
CATHY said...
That's great to be charitable and "give" some things away, but if you have a house filled with items that you paid a lot of money for and have a lot of value left, why would I give these items away to people (usually people who take the freecycle stuff can afford to pay something for it, btw) when I can surely use the money I would bring in by selling it for a percentage of what I paid for it.
Nobody ever gives out free stuff to people like me and never will. I live in a nice house in a nice community so there are no "handouts" for people who can pay their bills.
10-30-2008 @ 6:18AM
betty said...
#9 Cathy missed the whole spirit of freecycle. lol it's not a "class" issue...
10-29-2008 @ 5:55PM
gaisibeau said...
Freecycle sounds interesting, but I was raised on handemedowns in a fairly extended family. I still buy all my GOOD clothes at Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. It takes time to go through e/thing and pick out what's really good, and what's really suitable for yourself. I get many compliments on my outfits, I wear my clothes for many years, but because of the thrifty prices, I have a LARGE wardrobe. I don't care much fo fashions since about late 70's, yet I don't look dowdy, or little old ladyish. Remember these thrift stores get donations from well to do people, end-of-season lines (unworn) and donations from fashion houses. So go take a look! P.S. I've also found some good furniture on the street. Americans don't think of GIVING s/thing away they don't want, they throw it in the trash! No wonder the environments a mess.
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 6:16PM
Rocky said...
Saudi's are not poor by any means as the US made them rich by buying oil from there from rigs origianlly drilled by Americans to begin with and they hoard their money and should all go broke because of this factor.
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 6:17PM
Sandy said...
I've been a freecycler for about 6 months its nice to have your unwanted stuff go to a new home instead of a dumpster
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 6:21PM
amy said...
is it www.freecycle.com?
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 6:23PM
lewis said...
Here in El Paso, you put ANYTHING at the curb, it is gone by sun-up. Servicio Particular, or scroungers from Juarez MX use it up and wear it out. Some call it gleaning.
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 6:35PM
Mike said...
Are you kidding me. I went to the freecycle web site and found nothing but a list of a bunch of web sites...like FreeKitchen.org, and FreeUnicycle.org. When you click on the link it takes you to a list of sites were you can "purchase" these items. What a joke.
Reply
10-29-2008 @ 6:43PM
susan said...
Here's a link to my local freecycle- you will need to find your area.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HerndonRestonVAFreecycle/
10-30-2008 @ 12:08AM
Tammy said...
Mike, It is Freecycle.org or do a search under Yahoo Groups and you will find it there as well.
Happy Freecycling to you!