One person’s junk, another’s treasure
Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2008
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — The saying goes that “ the best things in life are free. ” For members of groups such as Freecycle and the ReUseIt Network, sometimes what is free is also exactly what a person needs at that moment — whether something large, such as a bed, or something small, such as a book.
Freecycle and ReUseIt are two of the most popular recycling groups in the country, with local groups established throughout the county. Members are able to post messages about items they want to give away, items they are seeking or items they have received. The groups usually operate using an online forum in which members can either log in to check postings or send messages to members’ e-mail accounts.
The idea of such groups is really twofold — to provide a resource for people who need certain items and to help reduce waste by allowing people to give away unwanted items instead of putting them in the trash.
Douglas Warren, of Bentonville, has been a member of various forms of recycling groups for about three years.
“ I decided to join because I didn’t want to see useful things go to waste, ” he said. “ You know the old saying, ‘ One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. ’”
Warren first heard about such groups from a local weekly news publication when he lived in a different state, he said. In the last three years, he’s been both on the giving and receiving end of the groups.
“ I have received a twin bed and bed frame for my daughter. I have also received packing boxes and paper the last two times I’ve moved, ” Warren said. “ I’ve given away old computer equipment, outgrown clothes from my children, an outdated sleeper sofa, even some flower bulbs that the recipient even came to my house and dug up on his own. ”
Karen Kelley, of Rogers, has been a member of recycling groups for a year. She decided to join when she needed to find a dog for her daughter. Kelley learned about the groups from a friend, she said. Although Kelley has not yet given away anything, she’s been able to find a dog, a coat and a trailer.
“ I will keep using it as long as it’s here, ” she said of the network of groups.
For Denise Wright of Lowell, being a member of such groups is a way to find items that she can’t afford.
“ I am disabled and on a fixed income. There’s a lot of things that I would love to have but can’t afford to buy, ” she said. “ In these groups, it’s all free — you just have to pick the stuff up. (Recycling groups also ) help people get stuff they want or need but can’t afford. ”
A member for five years, Wright first heard about such groups from her daughter, who lives in Missouri.
“ The first items I got were an entertainment center, a large area rug, towels, washer and dryer combo, cookstove (and a ) car stereo, ” she said. “ Some of the things I’ve given away were children’s clothes, a treadmill and a lot of other things.
“ I will always use these programs in the future, ” Wright continued. “ It’s an everymorning thing for me to check my e-mail just to see what’s good and free. ”
Bentonville resident Donna Simley has been a member of various recycling groups for about six years. She first heard about such groups when living in Georgia. On the receiving side, Simley and her family have been able to find books for her and her children. She said she feels blessed to have been able to be more active on the “ giving” side of the groups. She’s given things such as books, household items, a grill and a fish tank.
“ With frequent moves, we always find items we no longer could use or need, ” she said. “ Our family has been fortunate that we are generally more on the ‘ offering’ end of this program, and that feels great.
“ I recall one time I left a box of books out to be picked up, ” Simley continued. “ The family came to pick them up, and the daughter came to the door, rang the doorbell and thanked me for the books. It felt great to be able to give back what I received. ”
Because the messages are posted publicly online, members are asked not to share private information in their messages. Just how the transactions take place is up to the individuals involved. Because members are often dealing with strangers, they are encouraged to use wisdom and discretion when planning item exchanges.
“ Just be sure that the people are really there for what they say, ” Kelley said. “ And don’t give out any more personal information than you need to. ”
Others have more advice.
“ I have not had a problem with safety because I generally leave the items at the end of the driveway or on the front porch for people to pick up, ” Simley said.
Warren said he has conducted transactions in several different ways.
“ I have done exchanges a few different ways where the person I was exchanging with came to my home or I have gone to theirs, ” he said. “ Also, if the person wasn’t comfortable with a stranger coming to their home, we met in a public place, or if there was a distance issue or their house was hard to find, we would meet somewhere halfway. ”
The popularity of the recycling groups has grown, and users agree that it’s probably because of increased awareness as much as the economy.
“ I believe it is a combination of the two. It has become a lot harder to make ends meet, and most families are looking for more ways to save money, ” Warren said. “ Also, people have bec ome more aware of recycle programs, and this is one way to help in eliminating waste. ”
Simley agreed.
“ I think more awareness plays a role in the growing popularity, but with the current economy, there is definitely more need for items than I have seen before, ” she said.
For more information, visit www. reuseitnetwork. org or www. freecycle. org. There is currently a Freecycle group listed for the Bentonville area and a ReUseIt group listed for Benton County.
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