Revision as of 14:57, 2 October 2008

Here's the basic information you need to know about Freecycle.

What is Freecycle?

Freecycle (officially known as The Freecycle Network) is made up of thousands of groups with millions of members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free. Freecycle groups operate in specific own towns or areas - so it's local as well as global.

For more about the history of Freecycle, see here.

What does it do?

It's simple: it keeps physical items out of landfill via no-strings-attached gifts.

Who runs it?

Each local group is run by one or more moderators. These are volunteers who give up time to help run groups - they're not paid.

There's also an organisation in the background, made up almost exclusively of volunteers, but that's not discussed in detail here. If you want to find out more, click here.

Where are the groups?

All Freecycle groups use Yahoo! Groups.

There's also a new website under development which some groups use alongside Yahoo.

What kind of things are on it?

Almost everything that’s legal, e.g. washing machines, computers, baby clothes, jam-jars, carpet, plants, building supplies…

Is it just about giving things away?

No, you can ask for things too. To work, Freecycle needs both OFFERs and WANTEDs.

Is there anything which isn't suitable?

A few things.

Drugs and weapons are specifically excluded. And items on Freecycle need to be no-strings-attached gifts of physical objects which would go in landfill. So:

• You can't use Freecycle to offer or ask for services or information - for example, asking for a recommendation for a good plumber, or advertising your business.
• You can't ask for a loan. This avoids problems when items get damaged, or people don't return them.
• You can't sell or buy things.
• Most groups don't allow discount vouchers - because you have to pay to use them, so they're not free.

Are there any risks?

There's a disclaimer:

FREECYCLE™ MEMBERS USE FREECYCLE GROUPS AT THEIR OWN RISK. Please take reasonable measures to protect your safety and privacy when posting to group lists or when completing a direct gifting with another member. By joining a Freecycle list, you agree to hold neither list owners and moderators, nor anyone affiliated with The Freecycle Network responsible or liable for any circumstance resulting from a Freecycle-related gifting or communication.

Basically: use common sense, since you won't know the people you're dealing with personally. But most people using Freecycle find it works amazingly well.

Does it cost anything?

No, it's absolutely free. It's free to join, it's free to post messages, and everything offered on Freecycle must be free too.

So how is it funded?

For most day to day activity, Freecycle doesn't have funding - Yahoo provide their service for free, and the groups are run by volunteers, who give their time freely and aren't paid. Yahoo fund their groups by advertising - they make money when you click on their advertisements. That money doesn't reach Freecycle - it stays with Yahoo.

There is some funding of Freecycle work by grants. This can be for central efforts like the new website, or for local activities. The new website, My Freecycle, also has advertisements (using Google Ads). Money from this does reach Freecycle, and helps cover the costs of hosting and developing that site.

Ok, how do I sign up?

See How To Sign Up.

Now how do I use it?

See How To Use Freecycle