Newest column...

A week or two ago I posed this question on the Chicago Moms Blog: "What's the strangest thing you've ever listed--or seen somebody else list--on Freecycle?

Thinking about it inspired my latest column:

Last week, while I was wringing my hands about buying China-made products, it occurred to me that if I'd really been willing to put my money where my mouth was, I'd have avoided buying any new school supplies whatsoever. Impossible, you say? Then obviously, you haven't been turned on to Freecycle yet.

Yes, I said FREEcycle. It's a Web community based on the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle: instead of using up resources to buy what you want or need new at the store while somebody else throws their unwanted stuff in the landfill, why not see if you need or want the stuff they're looking to unload?

The genius part of Freecycle is that, using the power of the Internet, it allows you to "go shopping" for the stuff you want. For free. It works like this: you join the Freecycle e-mail list for your region, then you can send e-mails to the entire group making an offer of something you no longer want or requesting an item you hope somebody else in the group has. Or you can just watch the listings and see what people are unloading today, and if it interests you, send the offering party an e-mail declaring your interest.

So far, Freecycle's worked out fantastically for us. When we moved, I used it to unload a whole bunch of stuff we couldn't take with us, like a beautiful - but heavy and unwieldy - vintage piano (lucky recipient!), a king-sized mattress that had been bounced on by four kids no fewer than 10,495 times (not so lucky recipient!), and some old, mismatched, falling-apart furniture.

I've gotten some great stuff, too - a cell phone, a bed frame, books, kids' clothes and toys in great condition - all for free.

Of course, not everything listed on Freecycle is what I'd consider a great find. While I do believe that one man's trash is another man's treasure, I am always surprised when items like trash bags full of dryer lint are snapped up (don't people have plenty of their own?). In fact, sometimes, when the kids are torturing each other - and me - and I need a laugh, reading the Freecycle listings can be a source of entertainment.

There are the ones that read like a bad joke, like...

OFFER: Birdcage with missing door. Good for birds who are too old and feeble to fly out of cage. Also gently used cat litter box. Must take both.

Or the stuff you wouldn't want even if they paid you to take it away ...

OFFER: Four frozen string cheese sticks. Cheese sticks are partially unwrapped and past their expiration dates but might still be good.

Or requests that are so optimistic, it's kind of touching:

WANTED: Nintendo Wii in box, like-new condition with controllers and games.

And those who combine their ambitious requests with demands for strange and unusual accommodations:

WANTED: Authentic Samurai swords. Must be within walking distance of my house because I don't drive and I have severe social anxiety so I cannot take the bus. Must leave all doors open because my obsessive-compulsive disorder makes it impossible for me to touch doorknobs. When you see me approaching please place swords on the porch then back slowly away with your hands in the air. Serious responses only!!!

Inspired, I've been thinking about how I might be able to unload a bunch of unwanted stuff and maybe get my house cleaner simultaneously, in one all-inclusive post. It could read like this:

OFFER: Huge lot of Happy Meal toys, most with broken parts. Scatter over the floor to make a great middle-of-the-night booby trap for possible burglars. They'll never go near your house again after getting Princess Fiona's jagged plastic arm embedded in the soles of their feet! Must pick up the toys at my home. Expect to take at least an hour since they are still buried in the toy box and spread throughout the house and car.

And some days, I might be tempted to add: "Includes set of four children who belong to the toys. They are not so good at deterring burglars but can help you scatter the toys."

Any takers?

Comments

[Misti]

I love Freecycle stories! The oddest thing I have seen requested? A three bedroom home.

The oddest thing I have seen offered? A three bedroom home!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Meagan!

[Tina]

I think I might know about the dryer lint. I know someone that makes paper out of it. (just another time consuming "hobby" if you ask me!) The paper looks incredible. She makes cards and stationary.