Freecycle

[RedAnarchist]

I don't think this has been mentioned , but its a site where you can give away stuff and get stuff for free. It sounds like a good idea, as it allows people to exchange stuff.

Its mainly available in the UK, USA, Australia, Germany and Canada, although it is active in other nations as well.

[Sir_No_Sir]

Yeah, my local one is pretty big, and we're a suburb of 70,000 or so, so it should be there in most towns.

[Sadena Meti]

Freecycle is great, I use it all the time, though only as a "giver".

Useful way to introduce people the concepts of gift economy, informal economy, possession vs property, utilitarianism, etc.

Also useful for seeing the everyday needs of the people. Some of the "wanted" posts can get you pretty depressed ("Left abusive husband, new apartment but no furnishings or dishes"), and others are excellent for triggering middle-class guilt. You see a want post for something, think to yourself "it's only $30 new, why don't you just go buy it?" then remember not everyone has as much disposable income as you.

[Janus]

It's pretty interesting and allows an entire community to be a part of free communal sharing. Of course, most of the stuff given away is pretty insignificant but the activity and participation continues to grow each day.

[RedAnarchist]

I used it last week to give away some old family history CDs I don't need anymore. Its useful, but the disadvantage is having to choose who out of 9 or 10 people gets the stuff you're giving away.