We’re nearing the very end of clearing stuff out of my parents’ house in Kahala. Well, it’s actually my parents’ former house. I’ve managed to go through all the papers and painfully sort out the “save” from the rest, learning an awful lot about my folks and their 70 year marriage in the process.
Now I’m dealing with the stack where the choice is “give away” or “throw away.” There have been many runs to the Kaimuki Goodwill thrift store to drop off boxes of miscellaneous stuff, and other stuff heading for the landfill, but this week I’ve been trying out another vehicle for clearing the decks–Freecycle Honolulu.
Freecycle Honolulu is a public group with over 3,000 members. It’s set up using Yahoo Groups, and provides just what the name implies. It’s a place where almost anything can be offered up free for the taking, and where you can browse free offerings for “finds” of lots of useful items. You can also posted “wanted” notices describing things you are specifically looking for.
So far, I’ve offered up two old electric typewriters, a box of fabric scraps, and a potted ficus of some kind. People who responded to my offers have been very nice, and the items were picked up promptly without a fuss. And since its all free, no one fusses about what they receive.
Recent listings included things like “old gas lawnmower, balky start,” someone wanting clothes pins in Makiki, and an offer of 3 Toyota hubcaps for a 1996 Corolla station wagon.
Freecycle Honolulu is part of a global network, Freecycle.org.
Welcome to Freecycle Honolulu! Changing the world one gift at a time!
We are an innovative project that harnesses the power of e-mail to connect people with things they want to throw away with others who would like to have those things. Any member of the community can post a note about an item they’d like to give away, or an item they are seeking. The only rule: Every item posted must be free.
The Worldwide Freecycle Network is open to all individuals who want to “recycle” that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself! One rule: everything posted must be free.
“Think globally, recycle locally.”
I’ve also heard from friends who say the “free” section of Craigslist offers a similar free marketplace. If you’ve found or recycled things there, let us know your experience.
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The bonus is if you regret giving something to these groups you can go to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and buy it back.
I’ve done both freecycle & ‘free’ craigslist. Had not much luck w/freecycle as I was looking for something, but much better luck with free craigslist. I’ve given/received a couple of things on that one. Barter/trade on CL worked for me, too.
There is even a ‘free’ store in someone’s yard on Keolu Drive (or used to be, anyway). Great concept, but a little messy after a big rain.
The Keolu FreeStore used to be Gaye Chan – http://www.nomoola.com/ – don’t know if it is still there.
We’ve had good luck with Freecycle. We found curtains that were just what we needed for our bedroom. More impressive, we asked if anyone had a Wii Fit to give away. I’d used one in PT and wanted to continue the balance exercises. In just a couple of days, I had my Wii Fit! Also found a wireless phone for a friend. we’ve given away miscellaneous stuff too – garden equipment, etc.
Living in a condo makes it easy to recycle good stuff. My building has 72 apartments, half of which are renters including quite a few military families who move in or out every couple of years. There’s a shelf under the bulletin board near the elevator where people put things to give away. After a day or two the manager disposes of unwanted items. Lots of good things have been given and taken over the years, such as canned or boxed or bottled food, framed artwork, kids’ toys, exercise equipment, books, magazines, etc. Something easy and cost-free is to reassemble my daily newspaper after reading it and put it on the shelf every early afternoon when I go out or to the mailbox.
I’ve had excellent experience both as a giver and receiver using craigslist Free listings. It is always interesting to hear how people plan to use the stuff we give away. And it is always interesting to see what folks are parting with. The old saw about one man’s junk is so true.
Freecycle – one of the many treasures on the internet. I had asked the city several years ago if they could put stickers on the garbage trucks advertising Freecycle or at least put the website link on opala.org. No go. Perhaps it’s a good time to request that again.
What a good idea to spread advertising for this form of recycling!
My husband and I have used Freecycle here in Illinois for years. It’s wonderful. There is the very occasional “no show” who doesn’t pick up an item, but there has always been someone else “in line” for every item we’ve ever posted. We also find the postings of what folks want to give away to be interesting and, sometimes, amusing.
In Hilo the library has a cart where people can leave or take books, magazines, etc.