submitted by Michelle Jones
We have been recommending this wonderful recycling group to our members for many years. We wanted to take a few moments to share a bit more about why you should join your local Freecycle group; in addition to my original article in 2004.
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Don't Throw it Away, Recycle at Freecycle
If you have any items you need to get rid of this is a great place to find people in your area (or even non-profit agencies) that can make good use of them. The main idea is to keep usable stuff out of our landfills, but it's also a great way for people to help each other out.
One year we were in need of a nebulizer for pneumonia (lucky me) and could simply not afford one. My husband was out of work at the time and we did not have health insurance. I remembered that I was a member of our local Freecycle group and decided to post a message to see if anyone had one not in use. Sure enough, a neighbor just a few streets over sent me a reply the same night and I was able to pick it up and get back to breathing better soon. The item was just sitting in her closet and had never been used. What a blessing. She was my angel that week for sure, and Freecycle helped us connect!
If you're not a member already, visit the site at Freecycle.org and join the group closest to your home. In some larger cities you may want to join a few that are close to you, but for most people one group is enough. And while it's okay to ask for a needed item on occasion, it's more important to post items to give away. Items that you might otherwise just leave sitting in your basement collecting dust.
Items that maybe someone else could use.
You never know unless you ask, and freecycle gives us a great way to do that.
Also, for everyone's safety, it's a good idea to meet people at a public location to offer or pick up items; NOT your home.
Garage Sales and Ebay
Instead of having a garage sale or selling your unwanted stuff on eBay you can also donate these items to your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, Pregnancy Help Center, Women's Shelter, Rescue Mission, Animal Adoption Centers (they are always in need of pet supplies and old towels), or other charity-based thrift stores.
Remember, no donation is too small!
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Copyright © 2014 by Michelle Jones. All rights reserved.
