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Freecycle - noun: An event in which you bring what you can, take what you want, help the Earth, help yourself and give the rest to fire victims.
Free and benefiting to the environment? It doesn't get much better.
Piles of clothes, boxes of books and binders and an eclectic assortment of trinkets were up for grabs and found new homes through the two freecycle events that have been held this month by Net Impact, a sustainable business group with a chapter on campus.
The group has international chapters on six continents with more than 10,000 members in 200 chapters, said Chandra DesMarais, president of Net Impact.
"We have a really awesome network of like-minded people who want to change the world through business," she said.
Inspired by the Web site freecycle.org and in celebration of Earth Month, the freecycle events have been very successful, DesMarais said.
"We want to avoid the landfill," she said. "This is all stuff people don't want anymore. Instead of throwing it away, let's give it to someone who does want it."
Each event saw tables of donated clothing, books and knickknacks left, swapped and taken.
"What's old to you is new to someone else," DesMarais said.
Students who spent the time to rummage through the piles of clothing and assorted objects were able to find some hidden treasures.
Freshman Rick Melgar found things to give to his three sisters: a shirt, a dress and a snow globe with a dolphin inside.
"It's good to give it away instead of letting it all go to waste," he said. "I found some good stuff, and I'm sure others will find some cool stuff, too."
There were many treasures to be discovered at the freecycle event. In addition to student donations, A.S. Recycling donated boxes of binders and school supplies.
Besides the environmentalism involved in this event, there is a humanitarianism touch as well.
It's about giving to others who don't have as much, said Natalie Streiffer, chief financial officer for Net Impact.
At the end of the month, the remaining items will be donated to Butte County fire victims, she said.
There wasn't much left after the events, and what was leftover will be brought back for the final freecycle, which will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 29.
Many people noticed the event tables located between the Student Service Center and Meriam Library, and casually browsed through the piles of donated items.
Making off with a set of unopened bunny-shaped playing cards, junior Justina Johnson wished she didn't have to run off to class.
"If I had more time I'd go through the clothes a lot more," she said, "It's better to get these than to get some from the sweat shops."
Megan McCourt can be reached at mmccourt@theorion.com
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