"Tis The Season...

...To Recycle With Freecycle

(h/t Wingnuterer)

This international recycling organization has got to be tried to be believed! No matter what you're trying to get rid of, there's bound to be someone that wants it, and is willing to come get it!

One of the first things I posted to give away was a ratty old chair that my cat had shredded. The frame was solid, but the fabric was literally hanging off it in sheets. And it was vomitting stuffing all over the house. I was going to take it to the dump after I finally got a new chair for myself and a scratching post for my cat.

One of my in-laws gave me the Freecycle link and told me to offer it. Couldn't hurt, she said. If no one takes it, you can always truck it to the dump, right?

Somebody came and got it the same day I offered it. And there were three other people who also wanted it if the first one changed his mind. The guy that got it was learning how to re-cover furniture, and my old chair made a perfect project for him. He did the re-covering with stuffing and fabric he'd also found on Freecycle. Then he gave the refurbished chair to a place that helps people get back on their feet after a fire/flood/name-your-disaster.

I can't figure the exact amount of money that was saved in this entire process, but it comes down to this:

I didn't have to pay someone to take the chair to the dump, and then pay the landfill fees on top of that.

Several other people also didn't have to pay to have stuff taken to the dump.

The guy who took it didn't have to pay for a frame, stuffing, and fabric.

Someone who got burned out didn't have to buy a new chair right away.

And none of us contributed to an already over-crowded landfill.

And this is the time of year when we get new stuff to take the place of old stuff. Even if it's broken, someone is very likely to be able to use your old stuff. Clothes, appliances, furniture, games, books, computers, hot tubs (not kidding, there!)...

Give Freecycle a look. Then give it a try.