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Freecycling/freecycle.org Project, originally uploaded by Robapalooza

Most of us know about Spring cleaning, but you can always just clean out your home and garage once a year. Especially if you end up collecting stuff like I do. A good summer’s worth of projects can leave a stack of excess parts, tools, and other paraphernalia shoveled into just about every corner, nook, and cranny of your garage you can fit it into.

You could always cart this stuff off to the dump, but if you are wanting to be a green consumer, might I introduce you to what is known as, Freescycling. Freecycling is an easy online means of getting rid of your stuff, and all you need to know how to do is type a few words describing the item, setting it out on your doorstep, then sweep up any of its remains once it is gone. Sound easy? Well it is…

The Freecycle Program
To begin, visit the Freecycle website, type in your location, and you will find a variety of groups within your area participating in the free program. And yes, I said free. This is not an eBay service where you auction off goods or trade, this is simply a service for people to get rid of stuff they don’t have the time to mess with selling.

It also works the same way if you are looking for something in particular. For instance, if you are looking for a couple of jack stands, you just make a request on the site, and if somebody has a pair they don’t want anymore, they will get in touch with you, letting you know when you can pick the item up.

History of the Program
The program started in Tuscon, Arizona in 2003, by a Mr. Daron Beal, and has trekked its way across the many different parts of the world ever since. It is currently featured in Australia, Belgium, Poland, Uganda, Canada, Pakistan, and the list goes on and on.

It was started as a green movement of sorts, to reduce the amount of usable goods going into the landfill. After all, one persons junk, is another persons treasure, or so they say. It has since become quite a popular electronic community on Yahoo (yes, you will need a Yahoo account to participate).

Rules (Everything Has Rules)
There are a few rules of the program to keep in mind however, such as:

*Everything must be 100% free with no strings attached.
*No trading or bartering. (“freecycling”, means free).
*No personal attacks, “I can’t believe you’re giving this away!” (Can’t we all just… get along!)
*No free-for-all’s, “It’s on the porch, whoever gets here first can have it.” (one person at a time, please)
*Let member know once an item is gone (Saves a lot of broken hearts)