Selfsufficientish.com

I don't know if anyone had already mentioned this site but go to
www.freecycle.co.uk and register with your area-you can give stuff away or get it for free instead of it going to landfill.

Just another point:
We have log burners so whenever I see a skip I go and ask if I can raid it for wood. They are usually more than happy for me to take it as it means it gives them more room for more of their rubbish ( which is obviously a shame as it will end up in landfill but at least I know I've done my bit! )
Regards
Jayne

If an item on Freecycle was small,or you posted a wanted ad,coulod you ask for it to be posted,obviously paying for postage? Im registered with Swansea Freecycle but I dont drive. Amazing isnt it how much timber gets thrown into skips? We are also skip divers and manage to keep the home fires burning (along with the trees that get blown down or felled!)

I sent a padded envelope with stamps on for my last freecycle - and would happily post things out to people taking up my freecycling stuff... apart from the cockerels that I've advertised

Nobody has taken me up on those though, so if anyone is in Aberdeenshire and wants a light sussex cockerel give me a shout.

Ask the person doing the offer whether they are happy for you to send an envelope - I'm guessing that they would as it's often the more environmentally friendly way.

Stamped envelopes are readily accepted in Leicestershire.
We got rid of our unwanted 1979 caravan within less than two hours of it being advertised. We knew we wouldn't get any money for it even though it was still in full working order, because of it's age. Couldn't find an envelope big enough so the guy had to come and collect it!
jayne

I have just picked up a shredder for cutting up the hedge clippings from a very nice man via freecycle! It looks as good as new.
If it wasnt raining,I'd be out there now playing with it.
Freecycle, I think I love you

Has anyone tried www.freecyclers.org.uk ??? I have heard its alot better organised than freecycler

It's a nicer site but doesn't have any groups near me. There's also another one called iRecyle, which has some nice concepts but nowhere near enough participants yet - my link to that one seems broken this morning so I'll hold off posting in case it has folded entirely!

Wulf

I do find that the corporatate style of Freecycle a bit of a puzzle, even offputting. Reading the Wikipedia article about The Freecycle Network, it could appear to be one man's worldwide attempt to dominate how we give our own things away.

" * At times, mass deletions of up to 500 groups at one time have been alleged. Starting in North America , these purges extended later in 2005 to Europe where a group TFN alleged to be "rogue" was closed down in Leicestershire...

As of February 2006, threatening emails from TFN have been issued to non-Freecycle groups, such as those associated with Freesharing.

* Dismissing dissenters. The Freecycle Network have dismissed members who disagreed with or queried its practices and direction, deleting their messages from Freecycle administration forums, and have extended this to closing entire community groups moderated by dissenters."

Personally I find such efforts at control to be a bit of a worry, so it is good to see some alternatives appearing.

we have a fairly active group in the MErsyside region. I've got rid of a lot of stuff butit's damn near impossibe to get in there quick enough if your interested.

It's also very tricky without a car.

We have a great freecycle around the Bath area. I have just picked up a beautiful 8x6 greenhouse and I am so happy with it!

I use freecycle a lot for getting shot of stuff I no longer need, but could be useful to someone else. Our group is quite big but well organised.

I have been able to rehome quite a bit of unwanted stuff but haven't got anythign from there yet as everyone seems to be too far from me It's an excellent idea

How does the Bath one work? The London one uses Yahoo! Groups, which makes it hard to stay on top of... but that could just be the sheer volume of postings!

Wulf

The Bath group runs through Yahoo and I do get lots of emails telling me whats available. To be honest you have to be quick around these parts and if I am looking for something in particular it's better to go to the actual group on Yahoo as the email alerts are delayed a little and most of the things go straight away.

I get about half a dozen request emails for things I am giving away within minutes of me posting it!

I was part of the Leics Freecycle group when it was closed down. When the moderator worked out what had happened she emailed us all & we set up our own giving network. This kept us going until Freecycle realised it had erred & reinstated us, with heaps of apologies. We've reverted back to Freecycle now as national publicity benefits all local groups.

There are over 2,000 people registered on the Leics group & I've both found homes for things useless to me & received items very useful to me. I'm trying to convince more consumerist friends in other regions to join their local group, it's a fantastic system for keeping things out of landfill whilst also benefitting other people.

When I tell some of my friends and people I know about Freecycle they look at me as if I was mad. Why would you want to give it away when you could sell it? .......Oh for goodness sake!!! Some folks eh?