Yes, I know I’m really late to the party. I’d read all about Freecycle, which reduces waste by encouraging people to post their unwanted items online, and pass them on. But I hadn’t really paid much attention, because (a) Freecycle always popping up in those same rubbish “recessionista” features in the women’s pages. You know: those round-ups that tell us all to go out and stuff fallen fruit into our Lulu Guinness handbags, and take our clothes to “swap parties”. Also, (b) I’d presumed that Freecycle’s domains were eco-trendy places like Islington and Brighton, rather than my creaky Yorkshire backwater.

But lo! I looked Freecycle up, and it turns out that the little place in which I live (pop: 13,000) has its own, thriving Freecycle group. So does the town 10 miles away. So I signed up to both of them.

Since then, my inbox has been JAMMED. Dozens of e-mails a day, from people who want to give away all kinds of things. I thought it would be harcore rubble, and kids’ clothes, and so on. Oh, no no no! Seriously: the stuff that people put on there is really nice. Over the weekend my e-mail boasted, amongst other times, a beige leather armchair, boxed computer speakers, a lady’s bicycle, a tumble dryer and a floor space. All free and available to whoever wanted them. It’s wonderful.

Of course, the downside is that because I am off stuff at the moment, I don’t really want any of these great things that are going up on Freecycle. Or if I do want them (e.g. the tumble dryer) we can’t have them because we don’t have enough room.

However, today a man who lives nearby posted that he had lots of plants to give away. Irises, red hot pokers and more. I’m going to e-mail him now…

UPDATE: This post was selected for the 149th Festival of Frugality, hosted by Living Well on Less. 

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