The Idea“Don’t throw it away, give it away”

• The problem:• Average person in the UK sends about 319kg to landfill per

year• The solution

• Free gifts to keep “stuff” out of landfill• Sofas, computers, clothes, Giant African Land-Snails, World War II

air-raid shelters…• Free to join, free to use• Saves money, effort and the planet

Using it

• Local virtual communities• Go to http://ilovefreegle.org• Find a local group on Yahoo, e.g.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EdinburghFreegle

• Reply to WANTED or OFFER mails• Send them yourself• People sort out collection between

themselves

Running It

• What needs doing?– Moderating groups– Spreading the word– Tools and Processes

• Who does it?– Entirely volunteer-run – 200 groups across the UK– Nearly 1 million members– Hundreds of volunteers

• Engaging volunteers– Vital to flourish– Varied skills and temperaments– Decision-making

• Keeping it local– Consistency vs flexibility

• Traps– Trademark & enforcement– Funding vicious circle

The Challenges

Why it works

• Makes it easy – low barrier to entry• Variety of motives– Environment– Community– Finance– Convenience

• Technology creating community

Summary“Don’t throw it away, give it away”

• Simple brilliant idea …underpinned by technology

• Unique virtual movement…with unique challenges

• Throwing stuff away should be like drink-driving…responsible citizens just don’t do it