Have you ever heard of the Buy Nothing Project? It is a simple community-based concept in waste reduction and reuse—when you are finished with an item that still has some life left in it, you can pass it along to someone else who can use it.

This is sometimes also called Freecycling or TIOLI, which stands for Take It Or Leave It. Whether it’s family members sharing children’s clothing or neighbors exchanging household items through a community group, the concept is the same.  There are even some communities that have a shed where people can TIOLI. No matter how it is done, the results are the same: community building, less waste and people saving money.

Interested in getting started?  One of the easiest ways is to join your local ‘Buy Nothing’ group on Facebook. Almost every town has an active group with guidelines to keep exchanges safe, respectful, and welcoming. Simply search Facebook by typing in your town name and the term “Buy Nothing.” Make sure to read through the community guidelines and review recent posts to get an idea of how it all works. “Freecycle” is another term you can search on Facebook to find similar groups.

If you don’t use Facebook, there are other ways to participate. You can check in with your friends, family or coworkers before throwing items away. You can also download the Buy Nothing Project app and connect with people that way. Some towns in and near Putnam County also have TIOLI sheds run by volunteers. A quick internet search will help find one that you can use. By choosing to reuse, and share, we can work together to reduce waste, save money, and help build a more connected community—one item at a time.

You can find more information about the Buy Nothing Project by visiting buynothingproject.org