Freecycle

When you have items of value that you want to sell, there are outlets for that. When you have items of value that you don't want to sell, we have a few great charity thrift stores in town. But, what are you supposed to do with all of the stuff that you purge that is not of perceived value... like that tube of hair gel you never ended up needing?

That is where Freecycle comes in handy.

Freecycle is a non-profit organization that started in 2004. It was founded on the principal that one man's junk is another man's treasure. Their mission is "to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community," and their motto is, "Changing the world one gift at a time."

Freecycle is a network that allows you to give, take and request items for free. This is done through an e-mail list, with each participating city having its own list. Nearby, there are lists for Longmont, Boulder, Loveland and Fort Collins.

When you have something to offer on Freecycle, such as a box of miscellaneous bathroom and beauty supplies, you would post an e-mail with "OFFER: Box of bathroom goodies - Estes Park" as the subject. It's good to let people know in the subject that you're in Estes Park, because for most people, a box of bathroom "junk" is not going to be worth the drive. In the body of the message you can then elaborate on what's in the box. If you're willing to meet someone to pass off the goods next time you're in the valley, you'll want to make note of that in the body of the e-mail.

Next, you will receive e-mails from people interested in your item. You can choose to give it to whoever you want - the first person to contact you, the person with the best story, the person willing to make the drive up, the person appearing most in need, the person with the best grammar - whatever! You then reply and tell them it's theirs. You arrange a pickup time and place. You send an e-mail through the Freecycle network with the subject line of "PROMISED: Box of bathroom goodies". This will keep any future people who might be interested from contacting you.

After the person you promised the box to picks it up, they post a message with the subject, "RECEIVED: Box of bathroom goodies". This tells the list that you were good on your word. Now someone who actually wants and can use your "junk" has it, and it is no longer junk.

The other type of message you can post to the Freecycle Network is "WANTED:" You'd be surprised what people may be willing to give you for free, just because it's taking up space in their house. I often see "WANTED" messages that remind me of something I own, don't use and have forgotten about. Something I need to purge anyway. Clearly this person needs and wants it more than I do!

As an example... no really, not a hint, just an example: A week ago I posted, "WANTED: Scrap lumber for building treehouse." I then put in the body of the message that I have three really great, wonderful little boys who want more than anything to have a treehouse in the backyard. I also mention that if ANYONE has ANY scrap lumber that they want cleaned up out of their yard, to e-mail me at kristenco@yahoo.com and I will come take it off your - I mean their - hands! See how nice that works? Like I said... just an example. Unless, of course, you have lumber I can take off your hands, then this was actually a hint.

Freecycle was set up in the spirit of giving, so before you can post a "WANTED" message, you have to post an "OFFER" message. Also, in the spirit of giving, everything you offer has to be "no strings attached". You can't ask for money, a trade, favors or anything else.

I really think Freecycle is a brilliant program. It encourages people to give, share, and take care of each other in the community. I'm sure it's really helped out a lot of people. Of course, I do have my friend, Amy, who, a year later, is still regretting the Guinea Pigs she compulsively got off Freecycle. But I also know of organizations that have gotten laptops and desks there, too. Also keep in mind that as of November 2008, all of your Freecycle donations are tax-deductible.

I always thought it would be great to have our own Freecycle group for the Estes Valley. If anyone out there has an hour or so per week to dedicate to moderating such a list, you ought to go to www.Freecycle.org to apply for our own Estes Valley Freecycle group. I know many people in town who use Freecycle down in the valley, and I think a lot more people would use it more regularly if there were no commuting involved.

Don't just reserve Freecycle for your bathroom "junk". As you continue on your house purge, always keep Freecycle in mind. If you're purging something and thinking, "Nobody on earth could possibly want this!" Chances are, someone in town probably does. And, if you have something that you know people would want, it's a treat to see those valuable items pop up on Freecycle, too.