Although this adventure focused on food, freeganism applies to anything that’s free. Cat has also dived behind thrift stores and recommends freecycle.org, where she once procured a washing machine.

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Freecycle.org, an international nonprofit Yahoo group with a local network, exists to curb the number of items thrown into landfills. Instead, everything from kids’ clothes to kitchen appliances is offered or posted as “wanted” in a daily e-mail sent to all users.

Among forbidden practices on Freecycle are trading, offering or asking for animals, asking for extravagant items such as cars, requesting an item more than once every two weeks, and asking for food or monetary donations.

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A new Freecycle™ group has formed in the Avilla/LaOtto area.

Its website can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/avillalaottofreecycle/. The AvillaLaOtto Freecycle™ group also serves Swan Township and the rest of Noble County. Nonprofit groups are also welcome.

One main rule: Everything posted must be free. This group is part of The Freecycle Network, a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills. Check out freecycle.org for other cities and information.

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For Jamie Novak, an organizing specialist in Chicago, that redistribution is taking many forms. “I am editing what we own and sharing with others in a variety of ways,” she says. “I’m dropping things off to local charities, liberally using Freecycle.org, and trying out zwaggle.com” (where participants receive points for giving their used items to other families and then use those points to obtain things from other members).

She takes pet goods to animal shelters, dresses and items that can be used as props to community theaters, and makeup and personal items to women’s shelters. Arts and crafts supplies, including yarn, go to assisted-living facilities. Ms. Novak gives stuffed animals to police stations and family-services groups. She donates bags, boxes, and packing material to thrift stores for use in wrapping purchases.

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Swap

If retail therapy isn’t on the cards, get the thrill of the new without the financial strain: swap unwanted clutter with friends. It’ll make for a fun, money-saving get-together since one person’s junk is often another person’s treasure. Alternatively, investigate the online swap shops on www.energysavingcommunity.co.uk , or try the ever-popular Freecycle Network (www.freecycle.org )

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Dear Amy: You had some excellent suggestions for how to recycle gift items.

I thought you might like to let your readers know about “Freecycle,” where people can offer items they no longer want, and others will take them.

Freecycle allows these items to have further life in a very user-friendly way. — Patricia

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“Conserve, conserve, conserve,” said Predinger, a resident of the Beech Tree community near Weston Parkway.

Her unofficial motto stems from a desire to reduce waste and preserve the environment, she said. As part of her efforts to live “green,” Predinger said she is an active member of The Freecycle Network, located at freecycle.org. The nonprofit group provides members a forum through which they can donate or exchange goods for free with other people in their communities.

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All of which leaves myself and the currently non-existent Goodwill PC. If Darien was forced to confront the Inferno, then I guess I’m headed for Paradiso; a journey which will explore just how generous folks are. My first stop was the wonderfully monickered Freecycle, where anybody with free stuff can advertise it to people in their area for collection.

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Try virtual yard sales. It may be a great way to clear clutter in your house all while making a few extra dollars.

For more information on job tips go to www.frederickworks.com or www.freecycle.org.

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You can sometimes find a cheap greenhouse in the small ads or on freecycle although you will normally be expected to remove it yourself.

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