I was watching a program on TV regarding a recycling group called Freecycle and found it quite noteworthy. The concept is fairly simple instead of throwing useable items away why not give them to someone else who might find them of use. There are many freecycle groups across Europe that has found this kind recycling invaluable because it benefits everyone involved. The person giving the item gets rid of something they don’t want or need and the person receiving the item can put it to good use.
Here is a bit more info from the Freecycle website on how it works:
“The Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It’s a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them’s good people).”
“How does it work? – When you want to find a new home for something — whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door — you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of your Freecycle group.
Or, maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member’s offer, and you just might get it. After that, it’s up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.â€?
To date I haven’t found any Irish groups doing this however it seems like an idea that has been replicated in many countries. Thanks to for pointing out the The .
More Information on Freecycle.
There is at least one Irish freecycle group.
Thanks for the link Simon, I wasn’t able to find any irish groups linked directly on the freecycle hompage.
There are plenty of groups, some are still getting up and running. LeinsterFreecycle is the best one (the one Simon pointed out), cause it’s the largest right now. As more start up, we’re hoping to cover the country. And there are LOTS of people on it! Thanks for the mention!
Hi Elana, Do you have any links for these other groups? If you wanted to get involved with them how would you do so?
EnnisFreecycleIreland
northernireland-pass-it-along – Okay, not technically a freecycle, but it might as well be!
– Co Kerry
The idea is to get involved in your local one, or if you don’t have a local one, to create one. You can go through the steps at on starting a group. I don’t know exactly where you’re located, but there’s always getting the word out.
Thanks for the links Elana.
“The Freecycle Rag”
“The Freecycle Rag” a great song which explains what Freecycling is
all about. This is poor mans copy and is free to distribute but not
change. It is a registered and copyrighted song by BMI. Singer
Songwriter Bob Neace, aka ‘Pizza Bob’, who is a local singer in
Brevard County, Florida and an aspiring Country Western performer,
wrote and also performs the song.