I was recently told of an interesting program taking place in the United States, Canada & maybe elsewhere. After all the internet does get around. This idea that has taken root is called "Freecycle" and is available on "Yahoo groups" and probably in an area near you. What is it and why should you be interested. Its people attempting to "recycle" used (and occasionally new) items that they no longer have use for. They do this by listing their "offerings" on a yahoo group website. Other people list their "wants" on the same site and then the matchups begin. This is a novel & fantastic idea, that helps both people with a need and our environment by keeping working, usable items out of our less than infinite landfills. I won't go into all the hazards created by our landfills over the decades, I'll save that for another blog (maybe). Suffice to say, this is a win win for everyone. Sure its a little inconvenient listing items on a website and then waiting to hear if someone wants an item or two, but its well worth it when you think that instead of just discarding what you don't want, you can now make someone else happy. That in itself is worth the effort. And in a way its almost our duty. Not necessarily to make others happy, though that is an admirable undertaking, but to keep our country as clean and safe as we possibly can for future generations.
Remember these items in most cases are perfectly usable with little or no repair required. I hear tell of certain areas in Manhattan, N.Y. where people routinely discard perfectly good items, for no other reason than to make room for the newest versions of the same things! Yes its true and I further hear its so lucrative that the average "recycler" can't get near these places, their locations are a closely guarded secret, and thee people who do know protect them extraordinarily.
So take yourself to this site -
FREECYCLE.ORGenter you zip code or a few locations, and they will find groups near you. Then you can sign up with the group and begin you mission of helping your world and the people in it. My first look on my local site included a running 1988 automobile, and one of those 4ft inflatable Santa's (supposedly never used) that have been all the rage the last couple years. Happy hunting.
