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general I green korea
Gwangju Freecycle
Reducing Waste Through Gifting Written and photographed by Lianne Bronzo
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ome 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
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Writer (at the back) before the event began
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
2015-04-24
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