The Redditch Standard
Recycling group numbers grow
27 July 2006

Exchanging items - Mike Harvey and Lee Bradley, both members of Freecycle, trade their goods rather than throwing them away. Picture by Kirsten Blatcher 30.06.041.KBR

MEMBERSHIP numbers for a Redditch recycling group hit the 500 mark this week, just six months after it was formed.
Organisers of Redditch Freecycle, aimed at keeping usable waste items out of landfills, have been celebrating their growing popularity and success.
The group, set up back in January, matches people who have items they want to get rid of, such as garden furniture, toys, or electrical equipment which would normally be taken to the tip and placed in landfills, with people who need them.
Andy Griffin of Redditch Freecycle said the process was similar to the internet auction site ebay but without the exchange of money.
“By making good use of what we already have on the earth, we lessen the impact on the planet,” he said.
“Another benefit is it encourages us to get rid of clutter we no longer need and promotes community involvement in the process.”
The organisation is part of the worldwide Freecycle Network, which began in Tuscon, Arizona, in May 2003, and is made up of 3,000 groups across the globe and has over 2.5 million members.
Mr Griffin added one person’s trash could be someone else’s treasure.
“Hundreds of items have already been successfully re-homed since the group was formed,” he said.
“People are often too busy to hold a car boot sale or sell their unwanted items in the small ads, so a lot of good stuff ends up sent to landfill. But it just takes a few seconds to post a message on Freecycle and someone will soon collect the item from your door - it’s that easy.”
Anyone wishing to sign up should visit www.freecycle.org.