Freecycle?

Brilliant.

They do have schemes for borrowing toys here:

https://www.dorsetforyou.com/405827
is one example

A very good idea

A young friend of DD2 has appealed for plastic toys to be donated to our local hospital's children's ward - because the toys get pinched!!

Another good idea, is the Ludothèque- (wo)manned by volunteers. Not sure how it would go down with uk mums- but they are checked and washed by the volunteers- that is like a library, but for games and toys.

They do that here, granjura

I have obtained a few really nice toys to keep at our house for the DGC
(I knew which home it had come from too so was quite happy with that)

Where I live, once a year there is a big bazaar to just give stuff away. You get a free table- and can exchange stuff for free- or just give it away- just so it does not get wasted. Love that.

A Spring and Autumn sale is also organised for all sports equipment- be it ice-hockey, skiing, rollerblading, bikes- to save families money and to stop more waste. And also plant and seed exchanges in Spring. Again, fabulous.

When we made our big more 6 years ago (almost) it was very hard to decide what to give away- about 50% of our stuff. We gave books to the Loros (Leics hospice)- and plants to gardening friends- but most of the rest went to Freecycle. Some of the stuff allowed a local woman who had been through a bad time, to start a new gardening business- some garden tools, a good qualita hedge trimmer and a chain-saw and trailor. It was so rewarding to see her so excited re starting her new life. Giving things away took a lot more time and effort than throwing it all in a skip- but it made it so much easier. I hate waste, and hate the total lack of respect some people have for the fact all the waste goes to landfill.

One neighbour said she didn't like to give stuff away, because some of it might be re-sold. I have no problem with this- if someone is prepared to collect ans store, then advertise it for sale- via e-bay or whatever- fine. A zillion times better than ending up in more landfill!

Thanks for clearing that up, nina. It must be hard to track down enough of them.

I must remember to advertise our old lawnmower (non-working). We need the space in the shed for the new one. DBH decided he wanted one with a wider cut so hasn't even bothered to try to fix the old one. I shall see what else we need to get rid of, so that hopefully only one day will be filled with people collecting things.

Going to check if there's a Freecycle scheme here.

When I moved recently I put out enough furniture etc., on my wall to furnish a couple of flats. Everything went and it was great to see the looks of delight on the people's faces walking off with a bargain.

I hope the fish bowls don't have fish in them? Sounds a bit cruel to fish.

Fish bowls are a common table centre for wedding receptions, with floating flowers or coloured beads and T-lights for example.

I am a moderator for a Freecycle site and it is great to hear so many good stories. Also the grumbles are commonplace and I certainly expect a "please" in an email when I offer an item.

Within our small team of Moderators we know some of our members and the problems they cause. In fairness we recognise some names as disabled members, one lady has an autistic son and another member works for several charities and they all have various time of need.

For some sort of decoration, maybe??

Did they not know the correct term for 'caviar'?

Even fish bowls seems a bit strange!

On our local one somebody had posted a "want" for (and I quote) "Fish Bowels" to use at their wedding.

I know that there are some funny practices in North Devon, but this is a new one on me!

Whenever I have put anything on, i have had at least half-a-dozen replies at once, and a trickle more for several days after it has gone.

I don't give anything to anyone who appears to think they are doing me a favour by taking it away. I have had no-shows too. It really annoys me. If they change their mind, they surely could have the decency to phone and say so.

An hour ago I put about 8 old psychology books that one of my dd's used at university in the early 90's on freegle, and have had three replies already.
I hate putting text books on the tip or recycling bin and always try freecycle/freegle first to see if anyone wants them. Not really suitable for charity shops, as such a specialised field.
I love Freecycle - especially when trying to de-clutter!

I put my grandsons wardrobe on Freecycle and the young girl and parents were so polite and friendly she went home with wardrobe matching small drawers and a bookshelf

"Movedalot" there are always some freeloaders and unfortunately some of them make good money on Ebay selling items that Freecyclers were kind enough to give away.

My local group moderators keep a close eye on what is going in and out and one of the rules is that items must be offered before one can start requesting or asking.

One or two have even asked for money until the title Freecycle has been pointed out. The rule is 3 strikes and one is out. It works well.

I have noticed someone on our local freecycle who has a name which reminds me of the word 'freeloader' and she is always asking but never giving!

One of my sisters gave her daughter some things to give on freecycle. Then her daughter furnished her house through freecycle.

I use Freecycle but a bit fed up with people who don't turn up. The latest was someone wanting a treadle sewing machine for an old folks home. I was getting rid of one from my mothers flat and offered it. She appeared to be thrilled and I managed to get it to my home to make collection easier. Never heard another word. I took it to an auction and got £40 for it. Like others though I have met some lovely people but now when offering things I do an advanced search on responders to see if they are takers rather than givers. Amazing how many people want everything without giving anything.

DD got a whole fitted kitchen from freecycle including taps and hob. It was only 2 yrs old.
Brilliant site, except I'm never lucky enough to find what I want when I want it

I've just arranged to give away a mattress. The person asked if I could deliver but I can't. He sounded genuine so I would have helped if I could because I know how difficult it is to have no transport.

We dug up some ornamental grasses and they were quickly taken so I advertised again but this time said they had to come and dig them up themselves and I would supply the garden fork. Most were happy with that but one woman turned up late, wearing high heels and complained they weren't bagged up ready to take away! Another one came, collected his grasses and asked if we would like some raspberry plants which we were happy to accept.

I think the genuine freecyclers are a pretty good bunch, you just get the odd freeloader.

wisewoman - I'll try again! This morning, though, I did actually SELL my exercise bike on Facebay! I put it up for sale on the local site and I had a reply straight away from a person who offered me a bit less than I'd asked for but said they'd pick it up the next day for sure. Had it all ready, but she didn't show up. Put it back on again, and it sold straight away. When the buyer came to pick it up this morning, she tried to give me more than I'd asked for it ! I didn't accept it, but it just goes to show that you lose some/you win some!
...oh, and the reason I had to get rid of my exercise bike was that my great-grandson was finding it hard to get into his toy cupboard....