Great Green Concept: Find FREE stuff for any project (using Freecycle)

 by Squirrelfriend
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Got an idea for a project? Don't have the cash to get all the supplies. Here is a great resource I have found to be useful for getting just about any project material you need for free. This resorce is called Freecycle.

What is Freecycle?

The Freecycle Network" is made up of 4,610 groups with 5,839,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free.

 
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Step 1: Put away your wallet

wallet.bmp
You won't need this any more.

Here is a list of what you will need:
  • An idea
  • A Computer
  • Just a little patience
mikolynn says: Feb 13, 2013. 1:40 AM
Hey! I'm member of freecycle here, in Barcelona, Spain, and it works great! At the begginings, years ago, there is nothing at all, but now, it's amazing! Near to ten offerings at day! Wow!
myinstructables83 says: Jan 21, 2013. 10:15 PM
hi; thats cool !
be free to joing us in our free website : www.torontobestgreenoffers.com
to get more free samples and free stuff as an offer ..
thank you for visiting
SIRJAMES09 says: Jun 26, 2011. 7:32 PM
Freecycle is the creme de la creme of the recycling world!!
I have furnished 3 apartments thru free cycle & working on furnishing my present apartment!! 8=D

I have gotten clothes, shoes, paintings, furniture, you name it! I love freecycle!!
midsummermuse says: Jun 12, 2011. 12:41 PM
I love freecycle! I have been a fan and used the local yahoo groups freecycle in three different states. It's a great way to get rid of stuff you don't need anymore, and by regularly skimming the offers (I just get the daily digest of all the message, but then I miss out when people immediately read and reply on the site) you can find some great stuff. Some days there are way too many "wanted" versus "offers", but in the group I am in now the moderators are very active, and there is a certain amount of fairness expects in offering as well as taking.

Most recently I posted a wanted for an old graphing calculator for a math course, and unfortunately I didn't get a response before we had to go out and buy one because the class was starting, but a day later I got a response and now I have a 2nd back-up graphing calculator if anything happens to the first one at least. So my advice is think ahead, and post early. Be polite and try not to be too picky, if you want a shelf, ask for ANY type of shelf--not a while corner style one of solid wood. You savvy?

After I moved into my apartment, a couple months later I passed on a huge amount of moving boxes to some other happy mover and I felt great about it! I've given away star wars memorabilia after a relative died since we didn't want it, toys, clothes, etc. It's nice to think of other people and offer it up on freecycle before it gets donated or trashed (the horror!). I have received a varitety of items from an old glass ceiling lighting fixture to replace the one that got broken as we moved, fabric, beads, craft items...

I didn't intend this comment to read like a book, but I am very enthusiatic about reuse and recycling, and I highly recommend freecycle! Make sure you are safe, and I like to go with my husband when I pick up items for safety reasons, that being said--I have never had a problem with people whether I was giving an item away or picking it up from someone else. Be smart, be safe, but most of all--try to reduce your impact on the world with less new stuff. <3
BtheBike says: Jun 12, 2011. 11:48 AM
My local yahoo freecycle has a terrible interface in my opinion .
Its really clunky and worse than a post-it board because you can
only post a Picture. Theres no way to enter item info. No way to contact
item givers or want-ers . It might even be better to use a forum or blog
for Freecycle . Folks who want an item leave a message ,and the the
item is posted again ..for weeks . Forgive my long complaint but its only
cause there Nowhere to contact a Moderator either on there !
Free shouldn't mean buggy
Shippygirl says: Jun 12, 2011. 10:02 AM
I've had many good experiences with Freecycle. Mostly I received things like clothes, household items, and toys. One time I received a car full of garage sale leftovers that a housemate set aside for moving out on her own. I did notice items offered that could be used for projects.

Another site I like: For gardeners, Gardenweb's forums has an exchanges and trades section. There are U.S., Europe, and Australia forums too.
http://www.gardenweb.com/
funnyfoo0 says: Apr 11, 2009. 4:55 AM
I am now a member of freecycle and It is very useful I nearly got a working digital camera and quite often you can get somthing really good I highly recommend doing this ; ]
Squirrelfriend (author) says: Sep 28, 2008. 3:32 PM
Well, here is my first Instructable. I have created many projects, but always wait too long in order to create an Instructable. I hope this Instructable is useful to those in need of supplies for their projects.
bestbballrebounder1 in reply to SquirrelfriendOct 17, 2008. 10:12 AM
buy me a toy
Hoopajoo says: Sep 29, 2008. 4:45 AM
Freecycle (my local one at least) has gotten pretty bad lately. For every one offer, there are 30 requests (which are being worded more and more like demands). I remember getting a weed-eater for free from someone because they got a new one. I still use it every other week. Lately, the only offers are for baby clothes and empty jars. I think the harshly worded requests/demands have turned alot of people off. Shame, really.
bestbballrebounder1 in reply to HoopajooOct 17, 2008. 10:11 AM
you made him look bad
Squirrelfriend (author) in reply to HoopajooOct 1, 2008. 7:00 AM
Thanks Hoopajoo for the comment. I hear ya, some people like to make all kinds of requests, and never offer. Before I place a request, I always put out an offer so at least I'm a full participant in the idea. Plus, if some people would just read through all the offers, they might just find what they are looking for. I hate it when you see multiple offers for things such as a kitchen stove and yet someone puts in a request for one, can't they take the time to read through the offers? Thanks again, also would you please help me out and rate my Instructable, it would be much appreciated.
Hoopajoo in reply to SquirrelfriendOct 1, 2008. 10:11 AM
Done, 5 *'s for you! What gets me is ones like this one I copypasta-ed: Wanted: Nintendo Wii with controllers and games. New in box only! Must have Guitar Hero and DDR! Justin 703-297-####. Things like that is turning people off of Freecycle / Freeshare here.
bestbballrebounder1 says: Oct 15, 2008. 1:36 PM
can i order it in arizona
Squirrelfriend (author) in reply to bestbballrebounder1Oct 15, 2008. 11:00 PM
Go to this link and type Arizona in the search bar. Find the group that works best for you.
http://www.freecycle.org/

Hope this helps...
bestbballrebounder1 in reply to SquirrelfriendOct 16, 2008. 9:47 AM
(removed by author or community request)
Squirrelfriend (author) in reply to bestbballrebounder1Oct 16, 2008. 9:26 PM
If you don't want help don't ask for it. No need to be judgemental about other people. Plus read the comment policy before posting that kind of content.
Squirrelfriend (author) says: Oct 14, 2008. 10:31 PM
If anyone has a good experience with Freecycle, feel free to share your great finds here by leaving a comment.
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