How to use Freecycle™

Freecycle™ currently has over 6,827,000 members across the globe. A non-profit movement / organization of people giving and getting items. People passionate about finding homes for items rather than seeing them end up in the landfill.

Using Freecycle is truly simple. The entire mechanism relies on simple email. When you have something to offer, you send an email to the group. See something you want? Just send an email to that person.

First, find your local group. The Freecycle™ web site, has a form to find the nearest group. Once you join your group, you will be notified of the group’s email address. You use this address to communicate with the group.

The most important rule is that absolutely everything must be free. No strings attached.

Emails should be formatted in the following format.

subject: Prefix, item description, location

The prefix, can be:

• Offer: Something you are offering
• Wanted: Something you are looking for
• Taken: A posting that your offer was taken
• Received: A post saying that someone offered what you were looking for

The location is often your zip code in the United States, but many users use simple city names as well.

Your subject should be something like Offer: One gently used backpack 43075

It is up to you to decide who gets the item you are offering. Maybe, first to request it, gets it. Maybe, someone responds who seems like they really need your item. Totally up to you. Expect several emails requesting your item.

That’s essentially it. So, if you find yourself, wishing the ten lamps in your garage could find a new home, look no further. Take a small step and connect with other people in your city to recycle, and reuse items that you no longer need. You may indeed find someone offering something that you really want.

For more information on the Freecycle™ organization, visit their website.

For more information on The Recycler, our Outlook addin to help you manage your network, visit our product page.

Freecycle and the Freecycle logo are trademarks of The Freecycle Network in the United States and/or other countries.

The Leprechaun Works is not affiliated with the Freecycle network.