By: De’Jah Seabrooks, Follow South Jersey Intern
SOUTH JERSEY – In society where things like thrift shopping and going to flea markets have gone from trashy to trendy to the public eye, it’s no shock that a movement is on the rise.
Buy Nothing is a nonprofit organization that connects people with others who are looking to get rid of one of their possessions at no cost to the “buyer.” No currency or trading is needed when it comes to these interactions. Similarly to the concept of Facebook Marketplace, whether on the app or the various Facebook groups, users are often responsible for messaging the owner of the item and picking it up themselves.
The Buy Nothing project is taking off throughout the nation. This project was started by friends Rebbeca Rockefeller and Liesl Clark in 2013 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The purpose was to start a local gifting community as a means to combat some of the wastefulness that comes with capitalism. With currently having 7.5 million members on its app, according to Buy Nothing. It’s a group that is spreading all over America.
These items vary from workout equipment, planting tools, or even a 21 ft pool. All at the cost of nothing. Users on the “Buy Nothing Egg Harbor Township” Facebook group are all about community, using the group as a way to connect and help out others within their town with its members sharing things from baby items to household decor and even clothes.
Participating in a Buy Nothing group can offer a multitude of benefits, both personal and environmental. Here are some of the key advantages:
* Save money: Acquiring items for free can save a significant amount of money compared to buying them new.
* Reduce waste: Giving unwanted items a second life can help reduce landfill waste and promote sustainability.
* Build community: Buy Nothing groups foster a sense of connection and community among neighbors.
* Declutter homes: Giving away unwanted items can declutter living spaces and simplify life.
* Think more mindfully about consumption: Buy Nothing encourages people to reevaluate their consumption habits and consider secondhand options before buying new.
The Buy Nothing movement offers people the opportunity to give to their community and connect with others who have similar interests or life stages to their own. It also helps to keep perfectly good items from being thrown out and ending up in a landfill. Instead it can end up positively impacting others.
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