Gwangju Freecycle: Reducing Waste Through Gifting
Some expats settle in Gwangju for decades, but most leave after a year or two. It is easy to accumulate things, but as the departure date creeps nearer, what is one to do with a home full of belongings?
One option is to sell using the flea market Facebook group, but many smaller items are not worth the effort of selling. What to do with an item like this—throw it out?
No, Freecycle it!
Gwangju Freecycle was created in January 2014 when many of my departing friends were overwhelmed with how much they had accumulated. They gave me some things that I graciously accepted, and I wanted others to benefit from such exchanges, too. I created the “Gwangju Freecycle” Facebook group and there was an immediate positive reception.
How does Freecycling work? A member posts a photo of something he or she no longer needs, and if someone expresses interest, they arrange to meet up for the exchange. Some noteworthy items exchanged so far include beds, guitars, bikes and even a netbook. Smaller things like books, silverware and shampoos are also gifted.
The aims of Gwangju Freecycle are: 1) to reduce waste through reuse and recycle, and 2) to promote a gifting community through generosity. While saving money is an obvious benefit, it is not the main purpose. The point is to avoid creating waste.
Freecycle is actually an international organization with local chapters. It was first started in 2003 by Deral Beal in Arizona, USA. He was looking to donate a bed, but could not find an organization willing to accept it. He got a group of friends together to share things they no longer needed. Since then, Freecycle.org has reached over 9 million members in 110 countries. On average, 32,000 items are gifted and reused each day—items that are being kept out of landfills.
On top of receiving things for free, Freecyclers can also benefit from new friendships. Transactions are more meaningful when something is gifted without an expectation of something in return. English teacher Jenny Mae generously gave away hiking boots to Tamara Liebenthal. The two met and ended up chatting for an hour, discovering that they both hail from neighboring hometowns in rural Canada. Instead of exchanging money, Tamara brought a homemade cake, which was even more special to Jenny. “I’d have to make her cake every weekend for the rest of my life to truly say thanks for these boots. They were made for me,” Tamara commented. “I feel like I have a sister in Gwangju and finally just found her.”
Twice a year, Gwangju Freecycle and the Gwangju International Center (GIC) host an event called Swap, Don’t Shop! The most recent event took place in March 2015. Before the event, community members donated their gently used belongings while volunteers sorted and organized. On the event day, people took home anything they needed at no cost. Rice cookers, blenders, tents, and other great items were exchanged. In addition, Adam Greenberg maintained his usual CREATEandGIFT.org booth, encouraging those of us who might say, “I can’t paint” to create anyway and generously give their art away or take another’s art home. Mariya Haponenko designed an art gallery displaying works by local artists and the GIC sold souvenirs, books, and refreshments.
People were thankful and giddy over their new finds; some even wanted to thank the previous owners. After the event, Jessica Solomatenko posted on the event page to thank someone for donating toy cars, which her son “took for car rides, baths, and even nap and bed times.” Miaomaio Yang, a student from China, was ecstatic and bewildered that she could have a shoe rack at no cost. She smiled constantly when I kept replying “yes” to her repeated inquiries of “really?” These pre-loved things are now re-loved, and not in landfills.
In the future, Freecycle hopes to host swap events twice a year, in September and March, when many new teachers and international students arrive for the new semester. Some changes are under consideration to ensure that everyone has a fair chance of benefiting. One long-term vision for Gwangju Freecycle is to maintain a “Give and Take” room, where people can continually drop off and pick up items. The community would be responsible for keeping the room organized and neat. For this vision to take shape, an available space must be found.
Freecycle events can only continue if people are willing to take over and organize, as I am likely to leave Korea soon. I am seeking enthusiastic people to continue facilitating community gifting through this incredible event. Please contact me at LBronzo@gmail.com if you are interested in being involved. In the meantime, keep Freecycling wherever you end up in the world, because generosity and gratitude are contagious.