Revision as of 18:58, 19 March 2009

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

What is Freecycle?

Freecycle UK aims to keep items out of landfill by providing an internet listings service to help people give unwanted items to someone else for free. Keeping stuff out of landfill helps build a sustainable future, is good for the environment and builds local and world communities.

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.

How did it start?

Freecycle was started by Deron Beal in the USA in May 2003 and the first UK group was set up in October of that year. The worldwide membership is now over 5 million in more than 85 countries.

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?

Freecycle UK is run by volunteers and day-to-day decision making is made by grassroots local groups, encouraging local members to use their group sensibly and safely. Each group is run by a team of Moderators who check messages and help members. These are volunteers who give up time to help run groups - they're not paid.

Group moderators consult with other groups at a regional and national level with other support structures available nationally and internationally. Freecycle rules and guidelines are agreed to globally via national moderator groups.

If you want to find out more, click Organisation.

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.

As a charitable organization Freecycle UK welcomes funding in the form of grants, underwriting and donations from the general public. 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.

Freecycle UK is also fortunate to receive some funding for group-specific and regionally specific projects. Grants awarded are used exclusively for the criteria specified in the individual applications.

Local Freecycle groups do not have formal committees or bank accounts. They are though part of the overall Freecycle Network, represented in the UK by Freecycle UK.

What's Freecycle UK's Legal Status?

See Legal Status.

Are all groups the same?

There are some basic rules and guidelines which are agreed to by all local groups. The main rule is that everything must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages with an emphasis on being nice, keeping safe and building a sustainable local and world community.

In addition to the basic required guidelines for all groups, each local Freecycle UK group may have some additional local guidelines, for example as regards the posting of pets or services rather than items. Group moderators will typically consult or poll members about proposed rule changes.

Ok, how do I sign up?

See How To Sign Up.

Now how do I use it?

See How To Use Freecycle