Buy Nothing a way to go

OPINION

Rubbish disposal and recycling are pretty straightforward on a station. It can be a bit trickier in suburbia, which is why I was excited to come across a new concept (for me).

The “Buy Nothing” project began in the US in 2013.

The idea is that you give away any surplus items and request what you require. It’s not buying, selling, bartering or trading but a “gift economy”.

Groups operate via Facebook and anyone is able to set up a Buy Nothing project for their suburb.

There are clearly defined rules how the project must operate.

Someone posts an item they no longer want or need, and people can request to be considered for the item. It’s up to the poster to choose who they want to give the item/s to.

My first experience of Buy Nothing was when I’d packed the last of my late mother-in-law’s belongings. These were mainly kitchen, dining and ornamental items. I had planned to take them to an op shop but having seen how many similar items were in just one shop, I needed an alternative.

That’s when I discovered Buy Nothing. Not expecting a great response, I posted that I had several boxes of items to give away, but I wasn’t sure what was in each one.

Basically, it was a lucky dip.

To say I was blown away is putting it mildly. Within 24 hours, all the boxes were gone.

People came and collected them or, if I was out, I left them by our front door. In the next few days I was able to pass on other items I no longer wanted.

The group is not just about exchanging items though. It’s about building neighbourhoods into communities. Our page had a collection to fill hampers for some folk doing it tough this Christmas.

The “Christmas Box” circulates the neighbourhood, with people taking what they need and putting in other items they no longer require.

Some craft items being offered have led to some community members offering courses on how to use them.

Merry Christmas to all my Midwest Times readers and thank you for reading my column over the past 12 months.