Most of my lovely blogging chums know me for the thrifty gal I am. I would hazard a guess and say all of the folk who enjoy my blog do their best by the planet and the amazing animals we share it with. I try not to over consume and I do my utmost not to waste things. When I buy things I really try to look after them so they don't need replacing and money is not wasted. Just recently my little hand whisk finally gave up the ghost. I purchased it in August 1977 in Bognor. I replaced it with a 'new' one from a local charity shop for 50p.
The reason for this preamble is that I want to highlight local Freecycle and Freegle on line sites that enable people to give things away or to receive them in their local area.
I know some of you will be thinking, what's this a newsflash? But I've become increasingly aware not everyone has heard of these fabulous eco friendly money saving sites.
Free to join, easy to use and feature almost everything under the sun. The idea is to reduce waste and stop good usable items from ending up in landfill. Used locally it also means that costs to collect items are kept to a minimum.
I firmly believe that if the whole world stopped manufacturing 'stuff' we wouldn't run out of most things for years.
I know some people don't like the idea of using preloved/second hand items, but really don't you know Buckingham Palace is full of antiques and valuables that have been handed down for generations. And don't we all eat off pre used plates and use cutlery that has been used over and over again? even were we to dine at The Ritz.
I've recently asked for a bain marie and old wooden candlesticks as I have some home steading projects in mind.
When I see all the 'stuff' available at car boot sales I often think no-one should ever buy anything new ever again!
ReplyDeleteExactly Sue. I also look at a lot of the stuff and think why was it made in the first place, especially plastic and resin items.
DeleteI'm familiar with Freecycle and joined it many years ago but given my limited "local" area, postings are very, very few and far between. Then I had an issues a few months back where I would wake up every morning to near on 100 emails regarding a password reset which I did not request. I attempted to unsubscribe, but it involved entering my password. Obviously, I did not want to do that given that it appeared someone was trying to access my account (day after day after day). Awfully confusing since no financial accts are linked to a "free" site...and awfully annoying. (Oi....sorry for the ramble LOL - but you're so right about our society's "stuff" and the value of sites like these.)
ReplyDeleteSorry you had vexations with your Freecycle. Modern world I'm afraid. Every now and then I get what seem to be genuine emails from a bank about my account. I don't bank with them! I called up and their response? Just ignore the emails. Frustrating and a teeny bit annoying.
DeleteThey are both an excellent idea. Unfortunately our 'local' groups are both in cities at least half an hour away, but if I lived nearer I would definitely be using them.
ReplyDeleteWe have bought several pieces of furniture from auctions and charity shops in recent years. Well-made, real wood stuff, made to last, can be bought for a pittance just because it is 'brown furniture'.
Hi Tracey, I love a bit of brown furniture.
DeleteI never had any success trying to rehome items via Freecycle, but I have given lots away via the non-food section of Olio and offered for free on Facebook Marketplace.
ReplyDeleteI hate that so much unnecessary 'stuff' is being permanently manufactured, and that so much of it ends up in landfill within months of being bought and within days of events like Halloween or Christmas.
I never find anything near me on the Olio app. But as long as we are all trying, one way or another, which we are, we're making a difference.
DeleteI don't think we have Freegle and Freecycle here, but I'm sure there's something similar available here in Belgium.
ReplyDeleteI'm a strictly second hand first girl and find most of what I need in the charity shop, and I'm constantly donating items I no longer use.
Your plates and cutlery remark made me think of an acquaintance, who shuddered at the thought of using second hand crockery and cutlery ... until I pointed out that's what we all do when eating out ;-) xxx
I know, funny how some folk don't equate the two.
DeleteIf we can resell/recycle its got to be a good thing!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Absolutely jan.
DeleteI've used both Freecycle and Freegle myself, over the years. They seem to work well around here. X
ReplyDelete