Freecycling, an international trend of giving away used or unwanted goods via the Net, has taken hold in SA.
Freecycling offers members the chance to give away goods they no longer have a use for via localised online forums. Unlike online auction sites, goods advertised on freecycling sites are not sold or bought, but given away.
As the sites cater to a localised community, arrangements are made between givers and receivers via e-mail for pick-up or drop-off of goods, so shipping costs do not apply.
Six local sites that cover major South African cities are online. The largest and oldest (started in 2004), is Cape Town (796 members), says David Ploos, moderator of the Johannesburg site (116 members).
Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Pretoria and Ladysmith have also established sites over the past six months.
All givers must abide by three rules before items are posted online: items must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages.
Started in Arizona in the US in 2003 as a way to reduce waste that winds up in landfills, the network aims to connect people who are throwing away unwanted items with others who might want those items.
Posted items may be specified for the benefit of a non-profit organisation.
The global organisation is made up of 3 456 communities with more than two million members.
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