60 likes | 79 Views
Join Freegle to give away and receive free items, reducing landfill waste. Engage in local virtual communities and play a role in sustainability. Join now at http://ilovefreegle.org.
E N D
The Idea “Don’t throw it away, give it away” • The problem: • Average person in the UK sends about 319kg to landfill per year • The solution • Free gifts to keep “stuff” out of landfill • Sofas, computers, clothes, Giant African Land-Snails, World War II air-raid shelters… • Free to join, free to use • Saves money, effort and the planet
Using it • Local virtual communities • Go to http://ilovefreegle.org • Find a local group on Yahoo, e.g. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EdinburghFreegle • Reply to WANTED or OFFER mails • Send them yourself • People sort out collection between themselves
Running It • What needs doing? • Moderating groups • Spreading the word • Tools and Processes • Who does it? • Entirely volunteer-run • 200 groups across the UK • Nearly 1 million members • Hundreds of volunteers
The Challenges • Engaging volunteers • Vital to flourish • Varied skills and temperaments • Decision-making • Keeping it local • Consistency vs flexibility • Traps • Trademark & enforcement • Funding vicious circle
Why it works • Makes it easy – low barrier to entry • Variety of motives • Environment • Community • Finance • Convenience • Technology creating community
Summary “Don’t throw it away, give it away” • Simple brilliant idea …underpinned by technology • Unique virtual movement …with unique challenges • Throwing stuff away should be like drink-driving …responsible citizens just don’t do it