In today’s post, we are going to discuss a great program and event happening in Gwangju. The group is called Freecycle and they are hosting an event this Saturday, March 15th from 11:00am-5:00pm at the GIC. For more information you can join the Facebook group here.
Today I caught up with Lianne Bronzo, who is a big part of the community and is involved with a lot of organizations. I was curious to find out a bit more about what was going on and hear how and why she started Freecycle.
What is Freecycle?
Freecycle is about ways to enhance the community and personal experiences by promoting interdependence in a gifting community. Some ways we can accomplish this in Gwangju and where ever we live is through Freecycle, Free Hospitality, and Art with CREATE and GIFT.
How did you get the idea to start this group?
Many of my friends have left Korea back in February. Some were a little frantic about how many things they accumulated over their time in Korea. Expats come and go so often here. We arrive with two suitcases and end up with a furnished home a year later. One solution is to sell the things we can’t take with us. Gwangju has an online flea market for members to sell their items such as bikes, toaster ovens, and fans. It’s a great way to reuse items and makes sense financially for both the buyer and seller. However, small ticketed items like forks, chopsticks, and half-used shampoo bottles aren’t quite worth the cents they’ll make from selling, so many people resort to throwing these items out. When new teachers come and replace them, they must buy the same new things – forks, chopsticks, shampoo. I found this to be a waste and only adds to the world’s garbage program.
Back in August, my neighbors were kind enough to open their apartment and give away things for free. I collected some household and cooking items that I needed anyway and relieved them of the extra things they couldn’t bring with them to New Zealand.
It was very helpful for both parties. They profusely thanked me of relieving these things from their hands. I wanted others to participate in exchanges like this well. I decided to make a Facebook group called Gwangju Freecycle. The principles are simple – people post things they want to give a way for free or items that they are looking for and Gwangju members can respond to that request. In just about three months of existence, many things were exchanged for free such as a juicer, baking supplies, cosmetics, and couches. I have found the Gwangju community to be very helpful, generous and supportive of each other, so it is no surprise that Freecycle caught on quickly.
I didn’t come up with this idea alone – Freecycle is actually a worldwide network that began in 2003 in Arizona, USA. Deron Beal started with recycling items between 40 people in the community and it grew to reaching 85 countries. About 3,200 items are gifted each day, which amounts to 500 tons kept out of landfills each day. This amounts to five times the height of Mt. Everest in the past year alone, when stacked in garbage trucks! That’s a lot of trash.
How can others get involved?
Giving things away selflessly and sharing with the community can really benefit the individual, group, and environment. In today’s busy society, it’s convenient to run to the store to buy some products or pay someone to fix your car. There seems to be something impersonal about these transactions though. Your interaction is just to exchange the goods or services for money.
In a gifting community, people share their goods and services with each other. A gifting community isn’t about exchange – it’s just about giving. You don’t get something back immediately as it’s not an exchange, but eventually you will be a recipient of a gift within the community at some point.
It is also a great networking tool. With Freecycle transactions, I was able to meet people from several different countries and make new friends.
I’m not suggesting that we do away with money completely, but re-evaluate your belongings and find what is really necessary in your life. Think about how others might be able to get a better use of something that you rarely use and consider gifting it to someone in need.
Thanks Lianne!
If you have time this Saturday, make sure to come down to the GIC to check out the first clothing swap (You can also swap (books, appliances, electronics, etc). Remember, “Swap, Don’t Shop!” Click here for more information on the event.