Attitudes towards recycling?

Question

I have been using the Freecycle website for a while now (where people offer stuff that they no longer need/want for free collection to those who can use them) - I think it's an excellent idea because it keeps usable items like furniture and electrical equipment out of landfill.

However - someone I know told me the other day she would never take second hand furniture etc from a site like that because a) she would never feel it was "her own" unless she bought it from a shop and b) people who use these sites are just freeloaders who can't be bothered to work to buy their own stuff!

I'm disgusted by this - not only is she suggesting that its better to clog up landfill sites with things that could still be used, she's suggesting that everyone should be able to afford new stuff!

What do other people think?

dels - ultimately donating stuff to benefit charity would be good, but charity shops don't always take items like washing machines etc.

http://uk.freecycle.org/

Answer 1

I just started in this community and I never knew about Freecycle. I am really happy that I found this. I think it is an excellent idea.
People who judges people for not being able to purchase new stuff . How sad!! It is really a great feeling to be able to share . I have been blessed and I also have been on the receiving end of sharing.
I am a belly dancer and we frequently have meet ups and trade and exchange things with others who have a need or want to trade.
In the past I have loaded things up and given things to Salvation Army or Goodwill. I also have purchased things here.
It is disgusting that people would rather fill up a landfill than help others. Yes I do agree that some people are just around for handouts. But be thankful that you have been given other
choices and if we always bought new we would never have antiques or vintage.
We should be grateful for what we have and that we have the opportunity to share and make a difference in other people lives.
It is not easy to recycle. It takes work. But I really want this world to be safe happy and clean. It starts with one person.

Answer 2

Freecycle is alive and kicking where I live and it is a good way to pass on items that charity shops are unable to take. More than that my friends and I often pass things around our own group or to one another's families. We are all reasonably well off and do this because we cannot bear to throw away things that are serviceable but for which we no longer have a use ourselves. We certainly don't consider ourselves freeloaders and any money we save can be spent on things we really need or want.

Answer 3

Boris: I know it may not seem as if we are getting anywhere, but every great change in the world starts out small. It's not about how many people there are. It's about how we are utilizing the energy we use and the items we use everyday to make them renewable and recyclable. If people would start caring a little more and helping out just in their own neighborhoods, I'm sure that more people would be willing to clean up trash and learn how to properly get rid of hazardous waste. Maybe someday we will eliminate toxic products all together.

Answer 4

I have never heard of the website, but it sounds like a good idea. When I have items I no longer want, or clothes that my children have grown out of etc, I always give them to one of the charity shops in the town where I live.

I wouldn't dream of throwing it away when other people could get use of it, and also raise money for the charity at the same time.

Not everyone can afford to buy new stuff!

Answer 5

I'm on freecycle too and I guess I could be called a freeloader if someone were to call me that. But I don't take more than I give, and I think that is the main point. I don't really mind what people think, obviously the other members of freecycle can't mind that much!

Answer 6

Recycling is a good idea.It saves a lot of resources.Many things we discard are useful.China is an example for recycling.There are markets for used and second hand goods.Modern industries now a days discourage recycling and produce 'use and throw goods" as recycling reduces demand for new goods and services.Considering the position of unemployment in countries like UK,recycling results in less production and less employment.It is rather an economic or political choice.

Answer 7

I think there's certain items I'd prefer to have new, but there a lot of things that are worth taking second hand if only for the money saved as well as helping the environment.

Answer 8

Your friend is just stuck in a consumeristic mentality. We're expected to buy, it's a status symbol. You don't do it, you're not doing your part.

It's like a cell phone, if you don't have one, you're an outcast.

Buying new stuff is a status symbol, some of us can move beyond that, others cannot because it's what's expected of us.

I say way to go, break that cycle, save some cash. You can laugh all the way to the bank, she can cry all the way to debt.

Answer 9

I can understand point a because i'm never keen to buy 2nd hand. I like the idea that something is 'new and mine' and untouched by another's hand. I work hard for my cash and i want spanking new things not cast-offs.

Recycling is a good idea, but I object to being railroaded into it by the authorities. I don't see why i should spend time sorting through my rubbish. They can take the stuff away and sort it themselves if they're that keen! Better still give it to prisoners to wade through - give them something to do.

Answer 10

Perhaps donating it to a charity shop who will sell it cheaply would be the best answer.