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Freecycle users collect items for no charge

Published Thursday, April 16, 2009 12:21 PM

By Jenny Peterson
Summerville Journal Scene ®

There’s an online group in Summerville where members give away and pick up household items everyday.

From beds, mattresses and desks to clothing, electronics and baby strollers, items change hands in the community, all free of charge.

The group is called Freecycle, an online community aiming to reduce waste and also bring together members of the community.

Using the Internet, the group has allowed people to get rid of unwanted items and allowed others to receive needed items that they otherwise couldn’t afford.

The way it works is that people list items they want to give away, such as a fax machine, TV stand or rug, and post it to the online community. Those interested in the item email the person directly to ask if they can pick it up.

The person who listed the item then chooses whom they give the item to, whether they get one response or 20 responses.

“Everyone has their own system; in no way, shape or form is it ‘first come first serve,’” said Tina Holmes-Roberts, who started the Summerville Freecycle chapter in 2004.

Others can post a “wanted” item, such as a microwave, dog food or even a bird cage and hope for a response from someone on the community wanting to dispose of the particular item.

Whoever is chosen to receive the item will come pick it up, either at the person’s house or another location. The Heritage Square Shopping Center parking lot on Berlin G. Myers Parkway is a popular place to pick up Freecycle items in Summerville, according Holmes-Roberts.

There are 2,500 active members in Summerville, and household goods are exchanged online daily — all for free. Holmes-Roberts said she gets about 100 emails each day with items and donates her time to act as moderator the group.

She says she founded the Summerville chapter by accident.

She saw the Charleston, Mt. Pleasant and Goose Creek Freecycle chapters online and noticed there wasn’t one in Summerville.

“As fast as Summerville is growing and expanding, I started one,” Holmes-Roberts said.

She said she liked the idea of giving the items away, rather than putting them out in the trash, headed for landfills. She also liked the idea of people in the community giving items directly to other people in need.

The first Freecycle item she received was a working washer and dryer.

When she upgraded to a better model several years later, she listed it on Freecycle and gave it to someone else.

Items of all sorts have been offered on the Summerville site: An air conditioning unit, baby clothes, lamps, car hubcaps, even a car once— a very old, handyman special — but, a car nonetheless.

Holmes-Roberts personally got a wedding dress through Freecycle for her own nuptials.

“Money was tight; we were planning a wedding, (so) I put on there, ‘does anyone have one?’ I actually got one that was new,” she said.

A wedding dress is a rare find; mostly, common, less expensive items are listed.

Freecycle groups are active all over the state, from Abbeville to Walterbroro. All users need to do to join is create an online user name through www.freecycle.org. Worldwide, there are more than 4,600 Freecycle groups with more than 6 million members.

Holmes-Roberts said there are social benefits to being a member of the site. She said many people have made friends during the process of giving away or receiving items.

One of the friends she made through the group recently designed the flower arrangement for her wedding. (After her wedding, Holmes-Roberts put her wedding decorations on Freecycle, naturally, for someone else to use).

She said the overall message of Freecycle has been positive in Summerville, and she believes it’s making a difference in the community.

“Pay it forward,” Holmes-Roberts said. “In light of everything, when you get something you (can’t) afford because someone was nice enough to hand it on to you, and that person is glad you can use it, it gives you a good feeling.”

To become a member of the Summerville Freecycle chapter, visit www.freecycle.org and click on “browse groups.”

Rules for Freecycle users:

-No postings allowed for alcohol, weapons, guns, prescription medication, cigarette or pornography. No postings for pets.

-No money is exchanged. Bartering is not allowed and users should not offer to exchange items for other items. No postings for jobs.

-Users are asked to post items in their Freecycle chapter first before posting it to other area Freecycle chapters.

-Do not give out personal information. If a user is uncomfortable having someone pick up items from their home they can arrange a meeting at a public place, such as a parking lot.

Contact Jenny Peterson at 873-9424 ext. 216 or JPeterson@journalscene.com.

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