Journeys into Sustainable Living

Today, I’ve a guest post from Caroline Smith, about one of her passions – freecycling. Caroline also likes to find creative ways to reuse old furniture and give it a new lease on life. If you’d like to see more of Caroline’s work, visit her website that features a selection of Surefit slipcovers and tips on how fit them on recycled furniture.

The Concept of Freecycling and Why it’s a Great Idea

Why is freecycling such an outstanding, innovative concept? First of all, it allows everyone, on a worldwide basis, to help build and maintain a healthy green environment while decreasing the need for constant production of new products. For, by reusing and sharing the goods we now possess, we lessen excess spending for ourselves and others, thus helping both local and global communities to strengthen budgets and save for the future. By eliminating clutter from our homes and workplaces, we enhance our own lifestyles. And, when we share unused items with other people who need them—especially when we freecycle, offering them for free—we elevate both the morale and self esteem of all concerned throughout our communities.

Freecycling as a Concept Put into Practice

The Freecycle Network in the United States (www.freecycle.org) was first initiated in Arizona in 2003 to recycle and reuse goods free of charge, rather than adding them to landfill trash and refuse. This vital network is comprised, at the time of writing, of 4,857 groups with 7,593,829 current worldwide members. As a major green movement, this nonprofit network of people both give and receive free items in their communities. The group’s concepts and practices are both practical and ecologically beneficial, since they promote the reuse of well-made, lasting products, at the same time lessening the burden of overloads at landfill sites.

Attraction to Network Membership and Freecycling Incentives

Membership in the Freecycle Network is free, and there are Internet posting Web sites for all participating towns, cities and regions throughout the world. Most members, both new and experienced, relate strongly to the double incentive associated with freecycling. First, you know that any items you now have that are still too valuable to discard will bring benefit or happiness to others. And, in addition, by checking freecycling site postings in your area, you can easily locate high quality used items you may want or need. Suddenly, cleaning out drawers, closets, basements, attics, garages and offices becomes much easier—and sometimes even pleasurable.

Popularity and Diversity of Freecycling

Both the concept and practice of freecycling of goods are constantly growing in the U.S. and around the world. In Australia, OzRecycle (www.ozrecycle.com) provides the free exchange of goods for the Australian Recyclers Community. Its members, along with the membership of Freecycle.org, heartily agree that “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.”

Some of the items most often donated and requested through freecycling services and Web sites are: clothing, appliances, books, CDs, DVDs, computers, software, cars, kayaks, sports gear, furniture, home decorating accessories, and all goods for children.

Remember that even items somewhat damaged can be easily and inexpensively renovated for use. Bicycle tires can be replaced, and old laptops can be reprogrammed and updated. An easy chair or loveseat with tattered upholstery can be made over with couch slipcovers. Children’s clothing and toys can be made like new again with some creative sewing techniques or a coat of paint. And, some goods which people freecycle have never been used, so they are truly like new merchandise.

Without doubt, freecycling is an extremely beneficial concept and practice to all citizens of the world and to the global environment. For, by giving and receiving recycled goods free of cost, we contribute to worldwide benefits such as:

* Lessening wastes deposited to community landfill sites, thus alleviating damage to the environment.

* Decreasing costs to local and global governments for refuse collection and elimination.

* Renovating reusable products and decreasing the need for manufacturing of new goods, thus lessening CO2 emissions and other harmful pollutants from production plants and factories.

* Eliminating excess clutter in our homes and offices while we improve our personal spending budgets and those of others.

* Providing a healthy outlet for sharing, thus promoting communal good spirits, dedication and involvement.

Freecycling, is a powerful concept and reality that will continue to bring vital and empowering benefits to local and global ecologies and economies as it promotes the wellbeing of people and the environment around the world.

Many thanks Caroline! If you’d like to guest post here on Treading Lighter, please get in touch via the contact form.