I’m all about buying pre-owned, but what’s better than free? My local Buy Nothing group has been an amazing resource for giving and receiving items no longer needed by others!
Buy Nothing is a concept popularized by the Buy Nothing Project, a social experiment started in 2013 (though people have been practicing similar philosophies for years). The Buy Nothing Project is comprised of a global network of community groups that encourage forsaking conventional commerce in favor of giving or recycling consumer goods and services. The Buy Nothing Project’s mission is “set[ting] the scarcity model of our cash economy aside in favor of creatively and collaboratively sharing the abundance around us.”
Freecycling is a similar concept. On freecycle.org, registered users (membership is free) can post items they are giving away or are in search of (ISO) on a Craigstlist-like platform. Trash Nothing is another freecycling platform offered in Chicago. However, I have found less transparency on Freecycle – users are not as responsive and it’s more difficult to determine whether an item has been taken.
I am often hesitant to donate many items because I don’t trust that they will just be pitched. With these groups, I’ve been able to find new homes for niche items – particularly craft and personal care items – knowing that they are actually wanted. Plus, it’s fun to see what other people are offering up – you never know what might strike your fancy! But act fast – popular items get claimed quickly.
Also, don’t worry — you don’t actually have to [gasp] interact with people. Most pick-ups and drop-offs are contactless porch pickups.
Here is a list of neighborhood Buy Nothing Facebook groups (please let me know if I’m missing any):
Sustain(able) Chicago 