Iowa Freecycle

The worldwide Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator. Membership is free.

The Freecycle Network is a project of RISE, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission includes reducing waste, generating employment training, and fostering cooperation between other nonprofit organizations and the public.

RISE started the Freecycle Network in May, 2003, to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. Freecycle provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to “recycle” unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!

How does Freecycling work?

One rule: everything posted must be free. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, a piano, or an old door to be given away, it can be posted on the network. Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself? Respond to the posting directly and you just might get it. After that, it is up to the giver to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.

Non-profit organizations also benefit from the Freecycle Network. Post the item or items you want to give away and a local organization can help you get it to someone in need.

Sign Up!

To sign up for a Freecycle Yahoo Group near you, go here to the US Central region page and scroll down to find Iowa.  Right now, Freecycle has 9 registered groups in Iowa!  Gotta love those grassroots!

I've just added Iowa Freecycle to a new component on the right sidebar of Blog for Iowa called Iowa Sites.