The Oxford Guide

Items we throw away such as bed, television, clothes, furniture, printer, toys, sofa and computer can pass to someone in your community.

Recycling is an effective way to cut down on the use of these limited resources as well as promoting community involvement in the process.

If you haven't heard yet, there is wonderful organization called Oxford Free Give Group ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oxfordfreegive ). Oxford Free Give Group connects people who are giving and getting unwanted items for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills and, at the same time, helping someone in your community by gifting them the item you no longer need. Another benefit of using Freegive is that it encourages poeple to get rid of junk that we no longer need and promote community involvement in the process. By using Freegive, not only are you able to get rid of your item with the minimum of fuss; you will also be doing your part in stopping another reusable item ending up in a landfill. It's completely free to join.

Visit Oxford Free Give Group home page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oxfordfreegive OR http://www.freegive.co.uk

Visit Oxfordshire Free Give Group home page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oxfordshirefreegive OR http://www.freegive.co.uk

If you are outside of this area, please click on this link ( http://www.freegive.co.uk/groups.htm ) to find a group near you. Freegive group is active in all London Boroughs United Kingdom and other countries across the world.

How freegive group works:

1. You have a television or clothes or furniture or printer or toys you were going to throw out.
2. You join your local Freegive group.
3. You post an offer on your local Freegive group.
4. People respond to you if they are interested.
5. You pick a recipient and arrange for them to collect the item.
6. They take the item away.
7. You let your local freegive group know that the item is no longer available by posting an item TAKEN message to the group.

Note: If you need an item you can request one on your local freegive group in the same way by posting an item WANTED message to the group and if someone has what you're looking for they will contact you to offer it. If you still have stuff you are trying to get rid of, have you tried freegive group.

Tips on how to post an item on your local freegive group:

• Is your item OFFER, TAKEN, WANTED, or RECEIVED?

1. When making an offer, write "offer" in the subject line first.
2. Don't put your phone number in it or it will ring off the hook.
3. Ask individuals to email.
4. It's a first-come, serve type of thing.
5. Once your item is gone, make another posting that says it's gone.
6. Always state what area you live in. People need to know whether they have the means to get to your place to pick up the item. Please do not put your full address.

If you still have stuff you are trying to get rid of or to recycling your unwanted items, have you tried freegive. Visit Freegive home page at http://www.freegive.co.uk