Freecycle. The gift of giving... and receiving.
By Albert Kaufman of Portland, Oregon who describes himself as "a visionary thinker, musician, and environmentalist."
I started FreecyclePortland in September of 2003. The idea is simple: a Yahoo list is used to organize peoples' offers of things they want to give away and connect people who want things with people who are offering them. Keep stuff out of the landfills, reduce, recycle, reuse - that sort of thing.
But what began as a simple idea has, over time, morphed into over a million people worldwide using Freecycle to give and take in 2,575 "official" groups. I say "official" because the birth of the Freecycle Network has spawned a number of similar efforts in addition to influencing groups like Craig's List to add a free section to their many sites. So, the number of people doing the Freecycle dance is probably many millions and the number who have heard about it through articles in People, USA Today, the New York times and through specials on the tube is many many millions.
I've been a big fan of Burning Man since my first visit in 2000. The city of 30,000 Black Rock Citizens runs strictly on a gifting economy which means that money is used hardly at all once you get to the event and there's a lot of gifting back and forth. It takes some time to get used to - and I'm still learning the ins and outs of how to give and receive gifts. Hint: always say "YES" then figure out what to do with it later. Freecycle takes the gifting economy I love and brings it into the "real world" and people seem to love it just as much.
I repeatedly hear people in line at the supermarket talking about how they recently got a new refrigerator or gave away an old couch on Freecycle. It makes me smile. Some of the people on our local list have made new friends and connected with dozens of people through their exchanges. We've had Freecycle events - giveaways at the Last Thursday on Alberta Street event where many people come, lay out blankets, and give everything away - it's fun watching people who are new to the idea come up and then their eyes light up "you mean I can just take this?"
I often wonder what the world would be like if it were run on a gifting economy. How much could be changed by switching models - no more currency traders, no more Wall Street, no more Walmarts. At the co-housing community I live in (Cascadia Commons) there is an exchange box where people put things and often it's such a joy to go and see what's there - in fact the shoes I'm wearing right now are from there. Coffee shops around Portland have started providing bookshelves where there's a book exchange going on - something I thought would be a great idea years ago. How much further can we take it? How would the world be different if the economic system were changed?
Anyway, for now I'll keep moderating the local list with my 8 co-moderators and we'll probably grow from our current 16,000 members to - well, who knows? There are also about 40 groups all over Oregon, so if you live in Gresham, you'll want to go to Freecycle.org to find the Freecycle group closest to home. It's been a fun and interesting ride so far...
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April 11, 2005 |
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Comments
Posted by: Ken | Apr 11, 2005 9:24:48 AM
We are in the process of moving, and trying to clear out our garage. We had several things which probably wouldn't have been that useful as Goodwill donations: a lawn mower, edger, and a set of left-handed golf clubs.
The response from freecycle was immediate, and there was some satisfaction in meeting the people who were going to use the donation. And they also hauled the items.
The only negative to the experience is that several times I would get enthusiastic emails from someone interested in the item, who then they didn't follow up by phone. But there was always someone else also interested.
Posted by: iggi | Apr 11, 2005 9:52:42 AM
Goodwill is an unbelievable scam...someone's used underpants for the same cost as a new pair, a broken betamax player, a torn up couch riddled with lice. ostensibly sold at exorbant prices to help out the handicapped but in reality to keep the regional manager of the NW at a 6 figure income.
Posted by: Deron | Apr 11, 2005 10:02:32 AM
Thanks to Albert for making the Freecycle Network so huge in Portland. We are keeping 50 tons a day out of landfills as a result and allowing people to receive the gift of joy when they give stuff away. The humblest of us all is a philanthropist in a free cycle of giving. And as Albert says, we are changing the world one gift at a time. Side note: locally in Tucson about 70 nonprofits are also members receiving gifts and we encourage local members to give preference to starving local nonprofits. The Goodwills of the world are doing fine, it's the small guys you can now help too...
Have fun with it. Three cheers for Mother Earth and three cheers for a little more room for compassion in society!
Deron
Founder guy.
The Freecycle Network
Posted by: paul gronke | Apr 11, 2005 10:16:42 AM
Albert,
Thanks for the work and for the link. I knew about Craiglist but not freecycle.
I agree with izzi about Goodwill. I'd much rather donate to the Portland Rescue Mission.
Just a grain of salt about extending freecycle to our whole economy. Those shoes you got from the bin -- where do you think they were made? Where was the leather tanned (or nylon or cotton woven)? How about the rubber for the sole? Etc.
A gifting economy wouldn't work at all in our modern industrialized age. It's a nice idea for small scale exchanges, but we are all dependent more than we'd like to admit on the globalized capitalist economy, including Walmart, Wall Street, and the like.
Posted by: Bill Dysinger | Apr 11, 2005 11:38:02 AM
Thanks to Albert for such a great idea and for making it happen! Since I have become a member, I have given and received many items. The most memorable was a top-of-the-line gas cook stove which couldn't be used in the previous owners house because they did not have gas. I know get lots of stuff baked for me to perfection and am one happy camper!
Posted by: Albert Kaufman | Apr 11, 2005 11:45:18 AM
A gifting economy wouldn't work at all in our modern industrialized age. It's a nice idea for small scale exchanges, but we are all dependent more than we'd like to admit on the globalized capitalist economy, including Walmart, Wall Street, and the like.
I wonder. Much of the world does without Walmart (and so far I'm doing just fine without one in Beaverton. Which economy would be better for the planet? Right now we're headed towards a future in which all of the resources are used up and all other species are driven to extinction. We're not even doing that well feeding and clothing billions of people let alone providing them with clean air and water. So, I wouldn't say that a dependency on a globalized capitalist economy makes a lot of sense.
I think moving towards alternatives is the way to go. And perhaps it will start small, but if a million people are already using Freecycle, there's no reason why everyone can't partake at least for some of their needs. It's been fascinating to me this morning as I watch the comments on this blog and the items offered and wanted on FreecyclePortland. I say On with the experiment and let's see how far we can take it!
Posted by: Yoram | Apr 11, 2005 11:50:01 AM
Many mixed feelings about Goodwill. For those who aren't aware, the local Goodwill Exec. made $785,000 in 2003.
Posted by: cc | Apr 11, 2005 1:48:44 PM
I too have mixed feelings about Goodwill. The desk I'm sitting at right now, I bought for $10 and then pulled some Christopher Lowell shabby-chic magic on it and it looks pretty damned good, if I do say so myself. BUT, I bought it before I read the feature exposing the pay structure of Goodwill Industries and how incredibly unfair it appears to be. It's one of those things people justify by saying that doing some good is better than no good - when it's obvious that there's some room to do more good for people. But that guy that does the commercials who travels a lot seems so darned happy.
And don't get me started on Walmart. I haven't stepped foot in one in close to a decade and just the sight of one makes me queasy. Sam Walton was an evil genius. But I digress...
Freecycle is not something that I've used personally but my ex-husband did to get rid of some of the things we had lying around. I didn't realize that it was something that was started right here and how big it's become. Congratulations on such a positive and successful brainchild. And thanks for the reminder... I know I have a ton of stuff I could easily freecycle. :-) I'd just have to get organized and do it, but one step at a time.... lol.
Posted by: Steve Bucknum | Apr 11, 2005 3:28:51 PM
You know, if this thing went National, it would make truck drivers "King of the World".
I can see it now, the truck driver shows up at the wheat farm, has food, dairy, a washing machine, and an old blue dress up for church suit in size 40. Happens the farmer is a size 40 (the truck driver knew this of course, its on the Internet). The farmer trades 200 lbs. of wheat for the suit, 5 lbs of cheese, a case of canned pears, and 3 packages of chocolate cookies. The farmer then waits for the next truck to pull up.
Hmmmm. Well, maybe you can keep it in Portland.
Posted by: Albert Kaufman | Apr 11, 2005 3:34:59 PM
I can see it now, the truck driver shows up at the wheat farm...
This has actually spawned a whole bunch of similar groups around the country:
Gleancycle - have extra pears, post it and see who'd like a box of pears
Fleacycle - for those who want to involve some $ in the transaction
and many varieties in between - Free Stuff on Craig's List, and hundreds of others who'd like to catch the gifting wave :)
Posted by: Albert Kaufman | Apr 29, 2005 1:21:00 PM
I'll be on KPOJ 620am on Monday, May 2, 2005 at 7:50am. Come listen in!
Posted by: Ellen Massaro | Jun 6, 2005 1:06:36 PM
I found out about freecycling from KPOJ. Thank you for being on! I've since gotten some dirt and some kittens. You just can't beat free. I think it's great for urbandweller, especially who may not have trucks to get rid of big items. I do have a concern, though, that "pro" garage salers who like big items as a draw in ads and out front will prowl the site and profiteer. Has this been a problem, or maybe they are just subtle? Maybe a small fee or some other registration "thing" to deter them?
Posted by: gary chevront | Aug 26, 2005 12:22:48 AM
to who ever may help. i am in search of a 55gal. aquarium as i have an oscar that outgrew his 10 then 20 gal. and i cannot afford a bigger one, yet i can not get rid of him as we have a bond and my heart would seriously break as i am fighting addictions as well as major depression and panic attacks. i had no idea he would get so big, now i need help
Posted by: helen | Feb 4, 2006 4:23:31 PM
Mother with dementia, moving soon to help . Need moving boxes ASAP
Thanks. Helen
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Posted by: freeforwards | Nov 28, 2006 6:36:38 PM
Other great OREGON websites for giving and receiving free items
http://www.oregonrecycle.org
http://www.clearcycle.org/oregon.html
http://www.freesharing.org/oregon.php
http://www.sharingisgiving.com
And lets not forget the ever growing www.Craigslist.org !
Thank you, I appreciate your time and consideration.
Free Share: Everything under the Sun, nothing under the soil!
www.FreeShare.SaveThisPlanet.com
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Posted by: Sue | Dec 3, 2007 2:21:04 PM
I spent all day yesterday (sunday) trying to post a wanted ad for a fixable or usable pool table or air hockey table. It repeatedly was not approved and I was told that I couldnt post it because I had only given away one thing on the portland freecycle and that was kittens 2 years ago. So I went to another comunity and they posted my ad instead. I have given away many things on this freecycle but in another community. So where does it say that you cant post wanted ads without giving? I was so embarrased and treated so bad there responces were childish and harrasement in my opinion. So then I posted a offer of baby clothes and they didn't approve that either. Now what I was wanting was not uncommon because in my search there had been 4 pool tables and 5 hockey tables given away in the last 2 years (both in wanted or offers)I thought the whole purpose of freecycle was to keep things out of the landfills and that is all I was asking for is a fixable item that someone may not want anymore but couldnt sell it. I think you need new moderators in your portland group as I never have had such experiences with other surrounding communities in Freecycle. Their whole denial of my wanted post was and still is unreal, I am still shaking my head. What was the problem? I still don't know. I wonder how many others have had issues with them, email me if you have. susie_dykes@yahoo.com
Posted by: pearlinpdx | Apr 2, 2008 10:36:18 AM
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this ,but here goes... I want to go back to school for summer term, but need a couple thing that I really can't afford so I hope this is the place. I'm in need of a laptop computer and a camera that would work for photography class. If anyone can help me out please email me at: pearlboswell1@peoplepc.com It would be so appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by: staceyseal | Oct 2, 2008 12:10:55 AM
I agree with susie_dykes@yahoo.com . I have posted wanted and offers for years on Freecycle. The suddenly a few months ago they refused to post my wanted offer because I had not posted enough offer ads! Where is the rule you have to offer more than you want? I see others are allowed to post wanted ads are they aware of the limit? Whats going on? I don't even want to be involved with this group anymore I am very dissatisfied and disappointed that I have broken a rule that i didn't even know existed.
Posted by: Jennifer | Mar 16, 2009 9:26:24 PM
I'm having the same problem with Freecycle Portland. They won't approve my posts saying I should offer something. I don't think this should be the rule. Here's a message I sent to the moderator. Jennifer
Dear Beverly, I have not used Freecycle much- perhaps 3 times in my whole life. In the past, I posted and got some straw and dirt. I also gave away something (but I can't remember what it was). However, I've never been asked to post "offers" in equal number to my "wanted" posts. If the purpose of Freecycle is to keep things out of landfills, then by taking something someone no longer needs, I would be keeping it out of a landfill. Recently, I have made about 3 posts looking for things to use in my new chicken coop. I don't think my posts have been excessive, especially if it helps someone get rid of something they don't need. I beleive in Karma and just because I'm not currently posting offers doesn't mean that I am not a giving person. Also, with over 34,000 members, how can you possibly keep track of just MY messages. Wow. Please allow me to make my very few posts. Thank you, Jennifer
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "beverlyhansetburch"
To: "Jennifer Rueda"
Subject: Message not approved: Wanted: straw for chicken coop / SE Portland
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:59:44 -0000
Greetings.
We are asking that you make some 'offer' posts before posting any more 'wanted' posts. You have made many wanted posts and we want offers to wants to be more balanced.
Thanks for understanding.
Beverly
List Owner
> Hello Freecyclers, I'm building a chicken coop and wanted to know if anyone had any straw they could part with. I live in SE Portland near Powell and 82nd. Jennifer
Posted by: Donna | Jun 9, 2009 6:56:31 PM
Friends of mine -- Good Will and other such organizations -- well -- I have friends employed by Good Will and was told -- the employees of these organizations "cherry pick" the really good stuff that comes in and take it for themselves -- the not so good stuff is put in the stores for the disadvantaged -- the employees are not disadvantaged.
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Posted by: Jonathan | Apr 11, 2005 8:51:21 AM
I've never used Freecycle, because I hadn't heard of it until now. But even now, I am still inclined to give things to Goodwill, or other organizations that try to help out disadvantaged people. If there is a market for goods in a way that helps out people who can't afford to buy new stuff, then hasn't the goal of reusing been accomplished while helping someone? Or would you simply give to both, depending on the item?