Freecycle- great source for free coop building and other materials

[Gargoyle]

I posted about this in another thread, but I want more people to be aware of this great resource....

Check out to see if there is a local Freecycle group in your area. http://www.freecycle.org/

Freecycle is great- it networks people in local areas, so instead of dumping things you don't want in the garbage/landfill, or keeping them around cluttering your place, you post them and others who can use them reply. We've gotten all sorts of things- an 8' high trellis with seating, 20' and 35' rolls of welded wire fencing, 50 s.f. of good sod (the chickens went through that in a few days!), lumber, work boots, four cartons filled with (mostly new unopened) cockatiel bird feed and treats; we just gave away a good sofa bed that we can't use, and a spare computer monitor. We need to clean the shed and give away lots of stuff this summer.

I see listings of people giving away garden tools, lots of kitchen cabinets and file cabinets, childrens clothing, egg cartons, fabric samples, old tools, kitchen appliances, and enough wood, windows, screening, brick and block to build a coop.

It's all volunteer, all free, and keeps stuff out of the landfills.There are over 5,000 local freecycle groups around the world.Imagine Craigslist with no money involved- take out the money and you take out the sleeze and scams. Note that, at least in my area, you have to respond quickly- good stuff goes very fast. When we posted the sofa bed we got five replies in the first 2 hours. I've missed out on wood fencing, clean fill dirt, several gallons of red barn paint, a large shelving unit, and a number of other good things because I wasn't fast enough replying.

Here are a photos of couple of examples we've gotten for free.

 

[Fishbone]

I'll agree it's a great source of FREE stuff!

Not only to get stuff, it's a good way to give away STUFF.

I had an old frig I kept in my garage, kept frozen bait, two part epoxy paint, (keep it there until needed again) cold drinks etc.
UGLY to the max!! Once it went onto the garage, I NEVER cleaned it!!!

When I bought a new frig, I thought about junking the old one in the garage, replace it with the one I took out of the kitchen.
Posted on FreeCycle,described it as works good, old, dirty, good for bait...got 3 emails right away from people looking for a frig for just that reason!

From FreeCycle, I got an almost new Red Ryder wagon, even had the red cushion for kids to ride in! A wheel barrel, need to fix the flat tire, border plants, (I had to dig them up) enough vinyl siding to do the front of my garage!

Another place for FREE stuff is the dump...or Re=Cycle Center!
In our state they have dumpsters for trash, glass, cardboard etc, they also have a shed with -re-usable STUFF...I've gotten (another) RUNNING push lawn mower! hardware cloth in the packaging, Cloths, planter pots, plastic lawn chairs ...the most 'unusual' thing I got there was turquoise and amber necklace!
Now if I can only find a woman worthy to give this classy necklace!