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PrintSpecial Report: 'Free'-cycling
There's now a new twist to the term "taking out the trash."
Instead of recycling, you can now try your hand at free-cycling.
Freecycle.org works on one simple principle - post anything you want to get or get rid of -- the catch? It all has to be free. The Freecycle network launched last spring to help promote waste reduction in Tucson, Arizona and now users from across the globe are trading through the grassroots web site.
Suzanne del Rossi, uses Freecycle.org
"How about that exercise thing? Yes, OK, I'm going to put that one on."
Suzanne del Rossi and Lisa Gilbode held what they call freecycle days - similar to yard sales - as they downsized homes in Lexington.
They gave away things like a fax machine - tables and even some ski equipment for an area youth group.
Suzanne del Rossi, uses Freecycle.org
"Without investing personally, they can now help other kids, but also have fun and be comfortable in doing that."
For these sisters Freecycle proved a good way to help others without those selling hassles.
Lisa Gilbode, uses Freecycle.org
"We've been given a lot and why not return it to people that can use it, and it is a lot of work to sell the things, to post ads and keep track and what if they're not gone by the time you move."
Emily Pateman's living room is almost all freecycle-furnished. And for Emily, Freecycle has one major selling point.
Emily Pateman, uses Freecycle.org
"It's all free. Everything is free. The offer, the things you're giving away are free and the things you receive - everything is free."
But for Lisa and Suzanne - Freecycle does have a downside.
Lisa Gilbode, uses Freecycle.org
"In practice, initially I think it was a great, great site. I think it is getting to be a wish list of items that people want. People are learning how to use it and how to abuse it, but I think the people that are learning to use it the way it was intended will be the ones that are still Freecycling down the road."
In Massachusetts alone there are 32 different groups - with more than 12,000 members.
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