The Freecycle Network is a grassroots Internet movement that connects people who want to give away unwanted items to other people who need those items. Committed to the notion that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, freecycle has built a worldwide gifting community that reduces waste and conserves precious resources. Members of the free web site, www.freecycle.org give and receive items for free. Freecycle members post offers for stuff they don’t want anymore to a listserv in their local group. If a member replies, the poster arranges for the pickup. The freecycle movement began on May 1st, 2003 when Deron Beal sent out the first e-mail announcing The Freecycle Network™ to about 40 friends and a handful of nonprofits in Tucson, Arizona. The Freecycle concept has since spread around the world with more than 650 million members in 85 countries. The group estimates that by redistributing items that would otherwise be thrown away, they keep over 500 tons of waste a day from going into landfills. The freecycle community is a non-profit volunteer-driven organization. Groups have a local administrator and members place classified ad-style postings that are sent to the entire group. There are basic rules for using the list, all items must be completely free with no strings attached and no illegal or adult-themed materials are permitted. Also prohibited, no alcohol, tobacco, firearms or other weapons. No item is too big or too small to post at freecycle. Members can find all kinds of clothing, comforters and household items and its not unusual see sofas, file cabinets, computer equipment, satellite dishes, working appliances and jogging strollers. Clearing clutter is cathartic, and there is a good chance that there is someone out there who wants your old printer or that empty aquarium collecting dust in the garage. This “free cycle” of giving keeps perfectly usable goods out of landfills and helps members develop stronger community ties. Susan Dobscha, a Girl Scout Troop Leader in Marblehead, Massachusetts found an advertisement on the Freecycle Network looking for used books to replenish a local school library. Dobscha presented the idea of a book drive to her troop, who donated hundreds of books through freecycle. Joining freecycle is simple, straightforward and easy. Simply go to the website to find a local group, sign up and set the frequency of your email announcements. The rules are simple, no politics, rudeness, money, spam, or trading. That’s right, no trading; freecycle is not barter. You sign up to ‘just give it away, now.’