Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Apply for Membership

Categories

Powered by Vanilla
The MOL "Free to a Good Home" (Freecycle) Thread
  • memmem
    To make it easier for MOLers to keep materials out of landfills, would it be useful to have a category where people could post about materials that they prefer to give rather than throw away? We all know that one person's trash is another person's treasure.

    The MOL Classified section currently accomodates this, but classified sections traditionally carry items for sale, where people go when they have a specific need. How about having a "Free" category right here in the posting section - think how easy it would be to find something that maybe you didn't even realize you needed while arguing furiously here? : )

    Most importantly, it would serve as another vehicle to keep materials out of landfills. I think it would be a great community service and add even more value to the posting section. MOL goes green!

    What say?
  • TigerLillyTigerLilly
    I would LOVE that.
  • silkcity
    I think it's a great idea. Now that there are new regs about toys and stuff like that, many thrift shops won't take them. It bothers me to think of perfectly-good Legos being thrown away, both for the environment and the sheer waste factor. That's just one example, but I think it's a good idea. I have a ton of toys that are too young, but still good, and I don't know what to do with them.
  • memmem
    It would be an ongoing online garage sale (but free) that everyone can participate in right here in MSO...
    Post edited by mem at 2010-01-25 09:36:19
  • eyetryeyetry
    that sounds awesome! I love the idea ;)

    Corey
  • memmem
    Especially with people out of work or suffering from pay cuts. And anything left over should certainly go to charity. Silkcity - have you tried charities in the area? I don't think they have regs like that.
  • deborahgdeborahg
    Great idea!
  • flfflf
    love the idea!
  • marylagomarylago
    Oooh, I like that idea too.
  • jab
    That is a fantastic idea. I have some things that I've been thinking about posting on Freecycle, but I'm hesitant to have strangers come to my house for a "porch pick-up". I think I might feel a little more comfortable if it were somebody from MOL, though I have noticed when I've posted things in Classifieds that people call from more towns than I would have expected.
  • memmem
    I am the (current) proud owner of a changing table that is making its way around Golf Island via word of mouth. When I am done, I would rather make it available to all of MSO instead of waiting for someone here in Golf Island to need it.
  • silkcity
    Mem, Yeah, it's actually charities that no longer take this stuff. It's state law and fairly new that you can't resell toys and some other kid stuff. Places like Goodwill no longer accept it. I think it's a lead concern?? Anyway, it means lots of stuff thrown away, I'm afraid.
  • kmkkmk
    I had great success with a "virtual" swap-meet in our neighborhood last year.
    I already have at least a dozen items I'd post to the MOL group and give to anyone who'd like them.

    It would be best if this were up-and-running before the spring time, weather's getting warm, and I need to clean out the garage/basement or I'll go crazy time of year!

    Perhaps there would be a group wide charitable pick-up every 3 months or so.
  • wedjetwedjet
    In about a month I have a ton of free stuff that I will be putting out on the curb. I will post about it at that time. I think a free category would be great.
  • memmem
    Silkcity, I work with several shelters and organizations that accept toys, I have worked with many of these:

    http://www.hud.gov/local/nj/homeless/shelters/essex.cfm

    Kmk: I regularly accumulate donations from friends, neighbors, etc. in the area, in addition to occasionally housing hotel discards that end up here instead of directly at the shelters I work with, and then the organizations send a van here when it is large enough. I wouldn't mind serving as a "Freecycle Leftovers" drop off.
    Post edited by mem at 2010-01-25 10:42:38
  • jamiejamie
    There's a free items category in the classifieds:
    http://maplewoodonline.com/classifieds/category.php?qs1=46

    It doesn't cost anything to post to it.
    Post edited by jamie at 2010-01-25 10:43:54
  • memmem
    Jamie - I didn't know that was there! Can you make that easier to find from the posting section here?
  • jamiejamie
    I'll try to get around and make it a separate classified page and highlight it better from the MOL/SOV homepages.
  • kmkkmk
    It should have a "banner ad" of it's own! I NEVER go to the classifieds but I definitely glance at all the free stuff offered on the message board.
  • jamiejamie
    you SHOULD go to the classifieds - it's an amazing resource:
    http://www.maplewoodonline.com/classifieds
  • memmem
    Jamie - Thanks! I always forget about the Classified section, and I also have the impression that it's hard to find from the homepage for some reason.
  • critterlover
    mem, you think of the best ideas! I would definitely participate in a swap or free recycling section.
    And thank you, too jamie.
  • The Soulful Mr TThe Soulful Mr T
    I have an upright piano - not in the best of shape but eminently tunable - that's available for free. You just gotta get it outta here.
  • PeggyCPeggyC
    I do visit the Classifieds from time to time, just by way of window shopping. Also scan the free section, because that's where a lot of animals turn up. In fact, that's how I ended up adopting my cat Mischa.

    But it's a great idea to make it more visible and draw attention to the free area.
  • jersey_boyjersey_boy

    This seems to have been working pretty well:

    http://tinyurl.com/yztpmjf

  • kidsbooks
    I work in Orange, in the schools, as a social worker and would love to tap into the MOL community to help families in often dire need ( lack of furniture, beds, etc). I could be a middle person for people who want to give items away, but don't want to open their home to strangers. I live in S.O. , and have been on this line previously as I collect gently used children's books that are given away free through the Children's Book Pantry of Orange at the Y (395 Main St, Orange).
    (Donate your "outgrown" children's books! Give those books a second life inspiring another child. This facilitates literacy. Literacy changes lives!)

    In fact, I have a family who was terrified at my making a home visit as there was no furniture in the house. Five kids. Looking for beds, living rm furniture, and table, chairs.
    AND a volunteer mover/ person with truck or van that could help move these donations. I've got the families in need! Orange has a large immigrant population and some kids live in pretty dire circumstances. I'll always collect books (baby and children's only), but I'd be happy to expand this to other items that could enhance the life of children/families living so close and in such need. I've been hoping for a site like this! Carol Lukoff
  • crazy_quiltercrazy_quilter
    I also work in Orange with adult psychiatric clients. I've gotten some really nice donations for their thrift shop from MOL community (and MEM, thank you!!). The clients "work" in the thrift shop for work experience (it's just open to other clients), and they earn vouchers to "buy" things. the prices are also very low (like .10 or a quarter) for them to buy items.

    the clients live in boarding homes and many have been homeless at times.

    I use the Free section of the Classifieds frequently for getting rid of things and for finding items my clients could use.

    the problem for thrift stores is there is a new law that if they sell any item that has been RECALLED, they will be fined. The first time it is something like $1,000 and the next time $10,000. I haven't heard of it actually happening to someone yet, but people are scared. In theory, you could be fined if you sold something at a yard sale, but people suspect that the ones who will get prosecuted first are "professionals", such as thrift stores, or people who run estate sales.

    I know one person who's ebay account was shut down permanently because he was selling some lawn darts that have been recalled!
  • jersey_boyjersey_boy
    Posted By: crazy_quilterI know one person who's ebay account was shut down permanently because he was selling some lawn darts that have been recalled!


    NO!!
  • TigerLillyTigerLilly
    Wow...I'm surprised since lawn darts are usually so safe!
  • jersey_boyjersey_boy
    Ebay was the last place to find stuff that has been recalled. The world will never be the same.
  • TigerLillyTigerLilly
    Posted By: jersey_boyEbay was the last place to find stuff that has been recalled. The world will never be the same.


    Is this how you do your Holiday shopping for little J_B? Search E-bay for recalled toys? :wink:
  • annieBBannieBB
    great idea!
  • Trip2121
    There are currently 11 items listed in the free classifieds, 8 of which have no picture. And these include the 15 year old washer and dryer that had to be picked up by LAST Saturday and the "rapidly drying out" Christmas tree that needs to be planted a.s.a.p. So funny.
    I wonder why nobody checks the free classifieds?
  • boomieboomie
    Posted By: jersey_boy
    Posted By: crazy_quilterI know one person who's ebay account was shut down permanently because he was selling some lawn darts that have been recalled!


    NO!!


    :rolling::rolling::rolling:
  • boomieboomie
    Posted By: TigerLillyWow...I'm surprised since lawn darts are usually so safe!



    :rolling::rolling::rolling:
  • crazy_quiltercrazy_quilter
    Posted By: Trip2121There are currently 11 items listed in the free classifieds, 8 of which have no picture. And these include the 15 year old washer and dryer that had to be picked up by LAST Saturday and the "rapidly drying out" Christmas tree that needs to be planted a.s.a.p. So funny.
    I wonder why nobody checks the free classifieds?


    that's cuz you if you snooze, you lose! the good stuff gets taken and then the ad is REMOVED. duh!
    Post edited by crazy_quilter at 2010-01-25 22:22:41
  • jersey_boyjersey_boy
    "Free-to-good-home" posts on the Message Board: Pets, Garden, Please Help, and Virtual Cafe, have never failed to connect people with stuff.

    I think the current system is pretty efficient.

    Posts for "Things Needed" seem to work out pretty fast also.

    I've given and gotten many things through the Message Board, but most of you already know that.
  • just the auntjust the aunt
    Posted By: memthink how easy it would be to find something that maybe you didn't even realize you needed while arguing furiously here? : )
    :rolling: sorry i had to laugh at your 'arguing furiously...' i think it would be a great idea! do you think jamie / dave will go for it?
    Post edited by just the aunt at 2010-01-25 22:57:20
  • just the auntjust the aunt
    Posted By: silkcityIt bothers me to think of perfectly-good Legos being thrown away, both for the environment and the sheer waste factor.
    i bet jersery_boy and his son would love your legos!

    Posted By: memI am the (current) proud owner of a changing table that is making its way around Golf Island via word of mouth. When I am done, I would rather make it available to all of MSO instead of waiting for someone here in Golf Island to need it.
    if's available in july i bet harley would put it to good use.

    Posted By: Trip2121I wonder why nobody checks the free classifieds?
    fear maybe? of a stranger coming to your house? i think there is more of a safety factor on mol message boards.
  • jab
    If each person who has posted on this thread endeavors to put something in the free classifieds in the next few days, then it will be much less sparse and perhaps will pick up more momentum. As a start, I'd like to offer two baby gates that I got from my brother and didn't need. They're pretty basic, but we don't have instructions, and I'm not sure if the plastic bag with hardware that he gave us is for one or both babygates. Does that sound like a reasonable thing to offer? What about an unused messenger-type bag imprinted with the logo of a conference that my husband went to recently?
  • spontaneousspontaneous
    Posted By: just the auntfear maybe? of a stranger coming to your house? i think there is more of a safety factor on mol message boards.
    When a MOLer needed a used cell phone and I had one I was more than willing to part with, we met at a busy parking lot in South Orange. I always advise picking well lit and busy places to met when doing transactions from the web.

    I did get some wooden-type window blinds from someone's home that were put here on MOL, but it was the homeowners choice to have me go to her house. Personally, I would feel uncomfortable with people coming to my house, unless it was something obvious that couldn't be easily transported for a swap, like a sofa or a refrigerator, or a framistan.
  • kibbegirlkibbegirl
    I'm looking for spare Scrabble tiles. We have the swivel, drop in tile board and some of the tiles are missing -- GASP! Anyone have an old Scrabble game they aren't using and could spare the tiles?
  • libraryladylibrarylady
    Posted By: spontaneousor a framistan.


    Darn, did I miss a framistan again?

    Seriously, I love love love the idea of one place where we could post and/or peruse the offerings. Just keeping this thread going would do it, I guess.

    Kibbegirl, let me know via whisper what letters you need. I have a collection of "extras" that I can dig into.

    N
  • boomieboomie
    I am offering a free, right of first refusal, on all my future used toilet seats...:wink:
  • just the auntjust the aunt
    Posted By: jabAs a start, I'd like to offer two baby gates that I got from my brother and didn't need
    i brt las or one of the kitty rescue people could put them to good use!

    Posted By: spontaneousWhen a MOLer needed a used cell phone and I had one I was more than willing to part with, we met at a busy parking lot in South Orange.
    i've borrowed a cellphone from someone on mol. i went to their house to get it. people have come to my house and i've gone to theirs to pick up and drop things off. i've also given at least two people who post on mol rides when i never met them before.

    i searched their user name to see their post history first. i would do this with someone from the classifieds though.

    Posted By: spontaneousI always advise picking well lit and busy places to met when doing transactions from the web.
    unlike the woman from craig's list who met the men at the intersection or center and walwick! (i'm thinking there is more to that story)
  • just the auntjust the aunt
    i have a sister to give away if anyone wants her. i'l even throw in the brother in law. heck i'll PAY someone to take them!!!
  • shortstack
    Has anyone tried the Freecycle for Essex County?
    http://www.freecycle.org/group/United%20States/New%20Jersey/Essex
  • jab
    JTA-How can I get in touch with las to see if she can use the baby gates?

    I wonder if anybody wants the headboard, footboard, and side rails for a twin bed (natural wood color). It might have started as the bottom part of the bunk bed. No mattress. We don't have the screws for it and we're not sure whether it needs slats to support a mattress or maybe a box spring/platform.
  • jab
    Also, now that my husband and I have been sharing a household for 10.5 years, we've determined that we may as well give away one of the irons from our single days. It actually is in decent condition and certainly safe. This came up in conversation the other day when we realized that we still have two irons (not that either one gets much use).
  • BabFab
    We've had great luck w/the MOL Classifieds. Purchased a lovely oak sideboard a few years ago and I bought a chest to use as part of a kitchen island I'm building. We also bought a new bed frame.
  • just the auntjust the aunt
    Posted By: jabJTA-How can I get in touch with las to see if she can use the baby gates?
    am pretty sure it was las looking for baby gates. i post in the pets topic because i know it was one of the cat people looking.
Add a Comment