North Reading Freecycle Group Keeps Items Out of Landfills

Two-year North Reading resident Bruce McArdle started a nonprofit Freecycle group to keep useful items out of landfills. The group has about 400 members in North Reading and surrounding towns.

McArdle, formerly an electrical engineer, now stays at home to care for his four-year-old twins, Jake and Jessica. He was previously a member of a freecycle group in Billerica, and once he made the move to North Reading, he decided to start his own group.

According to The Freecycle Network's website, "It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills." 

Most members find out about the group by word of mouth or the press. It is free and easy to join. Create an account on their website and join the North Reading group. You will receive a questionnaire to fill out, which prevents spam and ensures you are local, and then you are in.

"I've given away lots of useful things and received many items too. I was surprised there wasn't a freecycle group in this area so I contacted the regional Group Outreach and Assistance (GOA) and they approved a North Reading group," McArdle said. "The Freecycle movement prevents useful items from ending up in the landfill. It's geographically local so people don't have to drive far which would waste fuel." 

Some items available from the North Reading group right now are a lawnmower, curtains, rugs, bikes, books and more.

"All communications are done by the Freecycle email system. A member either posts an Offer or a Wanted on the website. If someone is interested in replying, that is done directly via email between the 2 parties to schedule a pickup. It's up to the original poster to decide who to give an item to," he said.

The North Reading group was part of a Spring Cleaning on April 22, Earth Day, and they hope to organize several other events throughout the year.

"I joined the North Reading Recycling Committee last year since the Freecycle goals align with the committees goal of keeping items out of the trash," he said. "Overall I think the Freecycle group and its members make this a rewarding endeavor."