Freecycle Fun
WRITTEN BY LIZ FARIAS
COVER PHOTO BY WYCK HOME FARM VIA WYCK.ORG
PUBLISHED BY SUSTAINABLE SWAPS
Admittedly, no matter how many educational videos I watch about how currency used to be backed by gold and how we currently use a fiat system, I’ll never understand why we can’t just print more money. Kidding… mostly. But really, what makes more sense to me is how Kyle MacDonald traded a paperclip for a house, or my favorite board game, Catan, which just so happens to be about bartering and strategic resource management.
I know I’m at a point in my life where I need to open a high-yield savings account and figure out what a 401(k) is. But remember when value was as simple as trading four basic Silly Bandz for one rare, multi-colored dragon? Or swapping Pokémon cards at recess, convinced you’d just pulled off the deal of the century?
Upon getting my first birthday hundred-dollar bill, first job, and first checking account, the reality of paying for things with money cemented itself in my brain. That became the thing that made sense and measured value. Not to be dramatic, but life’s magic was kind of lost — until 2020, when I discovered my town’s Facebook Freecycle group. The concept that people would give things away for free broke my brain. Five thousand strangers, all swapping treasures and passing them along just because they could.
Small-scale economies are not dead!!! But of course, you already know that — you’re here, reading the Sustainable Swaps blog. So let’s talk about a few other ways people are still practicing gift economies today:
Clothing Swaps
Clothing swaps are the perfect blend of sustainability and joy as you get the dopamine rush of “shopping” without spending a dime. They’re especially great for necessities we often cycle through quickly, like lightly used baby clothes, seasonal wardrobes, or work attire. Whether you’re trading pieces directly or simply giving items away, swaps ensure your clothes find a new life before disappearing into donation bins where they might never be used. The best part? Anyone can host one. From casual living room gatherings to community-wide events, clothing swaps can be as small or as big as you make them. In fact, Sustainable Swaps itself started on a few blankets spread out in Boston Common. It’s proof that all it takes is people coming together with clothes to share.
Libraries
Your local library is way cooler than you think. Sure, they’ve got books and free Wi-Fi, but many are mini innovation hubs, complete with 3D printers, laser cutters, and sewing machines. Libraries host all sorts of workshops and events ranging from entertainment to skill development. They connect people, ideas, and resources and often act as social safety nets, helping seniors, immigrants, students, and job-seekers navigate tricky systems. Funded through taxes and supplemented by donations or community groups, libraries thrive when people get involved. Volunteering, even a little, gives you a voice in shaping how your library serves its community, whether it’s by running events or helping with funding. Engaging with them helps ensure they remain free, accessible, and vital to everyone in your community.
PHOTOS: LITTLEFREELIBRARY.ORG
Little Free Libraries
Little Free Libraries are the travel-size version of a library, popping up in front yards, community spaces, and even schools. They’re low-stakes, safe havens for anyone who might not live near a library or who feels nervous about overdue fees. Started in 2009 by Todd Bol as a tribute to his mother, these “take a book, leave a book” boxes quickly grew into a global movement, with over 150,000 installed in more than 120 countries today. While the selection isn’t always perfect, you can add your own favorite reads and share them with your neighbors, helping spread the joy of reading and building community one book at a time. My town even has its own Little Free Art Gallery where people can create, leave, and take miniature art pieces. It’s whimsical and fun!
Honor System Farmstands
The first time I went to a farmer’s market in Los Angeles, a farmer gave me a dozen eggs for free, even though they usually cost $10! I was hesitant to purchase, so he just slipped them into my bag, saying he trusted that once I tried them, I’d be back for more. Sure enough, the line of women behind me confirmed that he really did have the best eggs. I was thrilled! I’ve personally never gardened and grew up mostly shopping at big chain grocery stores, so experiences like this are why the psychology of honor system farmstands and community gardens fascinates me. These systems are based on trust: the farmer isn’t there to watch you pay, and in turn, you trust their food. Some farms operate on pay-what-you-can subscriptions, offering tiers—say $5 for low-income households, $20 for middle-income, and $45 for higher-income—for a week of fresh produce. Community gardens sometimes let you exchange time volunteering for food instead of money. It’s a collective effort, and the beauty is that every place can be personalized. You can support people you know, learn how to grow food yourself, or simply participate in a system built on trust and mutual care.
Facebook Marketplace
I always have the most fun on Facebook Marketplace. Unlike curated apps for clothes or furniture, Facebook lets you explore groups and local communities, which makes it feel like a mix between treasure hunting and an estate sale. There’s always something surprising. I’ve scored gems like a record player from my local Buy Nothing/Freecycle group, among several other finds. I love knowing that my clutter could be exactly what someone else needs. Taking a photo, posting it, and then setting the item on my curb, knowing it will be claimed, is probably the closest I’ll get to having magical powers for making things disappear!
PHOTOS: FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
Skill Shares
Schools are not the only place to gain knowledge. While money is the classic way to pay for new skills and certificates, there are plenty of other ways to learn. You can find a mentor, join an apprenticeship, or simply spend time with someone who is willing to show you how they do what they do. Skill shares are fun, flexible, and exist in a variety: language exchanges between two friends, guitar lessons for chess strategies, or any combination of talents you admire in each other. Sharing skills naturally fits into quality time, which is a core pillar of friendship. Maybe you teach your friend how to change a tire, and they show you how to cook a favorite recipe. These swaps are personal, and they invest value directly back into your relationships, which is truly priceless.
Lending Your Neighbor a Cup of Sugar
Here’s an interesting takeaway from the Pew Research Center: “Overall, how similar people feel to their neighbors is related to how much they trust their neighbors and whether they have expectations that they and their neighbors will do things for one another” (Silver & Hatfield, 2025). Maybe one way to bridge the gap between ourselves and others is to simply do for our neighbors what we would hope someone would do for us if we were in their shoes, regardless of perceived differences. Small acts like bringing in the mail, watering plants, or sharing a meal with someone who is sick can build trust and strengthen a sense of community. Sometimes, the simplest gesture, like lending a cup of sugar, can be the first step toward a neighborhood that actually looks out for each other.
These are just a few ways to join in on the freecycle fun. Whether you’re swapping clothes, lending a book, sharing a skill, or helping a neighbor, these small acts remind us that value isn’t just about money. Communities flourish when we trust each other and give what we can. These systems will look different wherever you live, but if something here sparks your interest and doesn’t exist nearby, start it yourself. Every exchange builds connection and nurtures generosity, bringing a little everyday magic back into our relationships.
SOURCES:
Little Free Library. (n.d.). The History of Little Free Library. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://littlefreelibrary.org/about/history/
Silver, L., Keeter, S., Kramer, S., Lippert, J., Ramones, S. H., Cooperman, A., Baronavski, C., Webster, B., Nadeem, R., & Chavda, J. (2025, May 8). How connected do Americans feel to their neighbors? Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/05/08/how-connected-do-americans-feel-to-their-neighbors/
The Freecycle Network. (2025). Home page. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://www.freecycle.org/
