Do The Green Thing: Buy An Old Thing

Our friends over in the UK at DoTheGreenThing.com have a new “green thing” to do each month.  October was walking.  November was turn the lights out.  December is buy an old thing, not a new thing.  This one isn’t too difficult.  I buy used things all the time.  It used to be a taboo thing - buying something used.  There are people out there who think that because it is used, you’re either getting someone else’s problem or it’s gross because someone else used it.  These are the same people who fly on airlines using the blankets and the same people who sleep in a hotel room on a pillow that a million other people have slept on - yet, they’d never buy something second-hand.  Personally, I think those times of disgust have made a significant leap forward in the past three years or so.

Why do I think this has this changed?  Two predominant reasons: 1) eBay and 2) Craigslist.  Freecycle is gaining more and more momentum, but is still under utilized.  I am happy to boast that I have been an eBay member since December 1998 (and let me tell all of you who use ebay - leave feedback!  My numbers would so much higher if everyone left feedback).  I’ve always been a “junk” person or interested in other peoples belongings they were getting rid of.  I have no idea why - I just am.  When I was five years old I told people that I wanted to be a junk collector when I grew up.  My motives weren’t for the better of the environment.  They were because I like weird things and because I’m cheap.  The aforementioned sites above all feed my passion - my passion for junk - my passion for being frugal - and now I realize that it feeds my passion for the environment.

We all know that eBay and Craigslist are ways to get rid of things you don’t want.  Generally, they are used for you to make money off of your stuff (although Craigslist does have a free section).  Freecycle is something different.  The goal of Freecycle is to keep usable items out of landfills.  Next time you’re out driving on a garbage night, drive around your neighborhood.  I bet you’ll see all kinds of usable goods out in the trash.  Sure sometimes someone picks them up or a junker comes for the scrap, but most times it just goes into the ground.  I’ve found all kinds of giant plastic kids toys and bikes and furniture.  If you live in an apartment or in the city, you know what I’m talking about.  Go near a dumpster at the end of the month.  Tons of useful items just being tossed.  This is where Freecycle comes in.

Freecycle can be great as long as everyone plays nice.  You have something you don’t want, post it.  You have something you’re looking for, ask for it.  At least the item is going to someone who is going to use it and not in the dump.   Freecycle doesn’t post items on a site, though.  It’s all mailinglist-based.  I’m not a 100% fan of that format, but hey - it works.  There are groups all over the country.  4,183 to be exact at the moment.  I’d have to say that the strangest item that I’ve ever “Freecycled” is old carpet.  We changed the carpet in our basement and someone came and got it.  The best item I’ve received is a wooden swingset - complete with slide.  Check it out.  Feel better about yourself.  Don’t throw useful items in the trash. Do the green thing!

Remember - buying used is a form of recycling.  So even if you’re not buying organic materials, etc., at least you’re giving the product a new life.  Ultimately, it’s cradle-to-grave, but that’s not your fault - right?

So what is the last “used” item that you bought or acquired? 

P.S. Don’t forget about thrift stores, of course!

P.P.S. Check out the November video - the content is a tad bit questionable, so view at your own risk - though it’s very funny!