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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Matters
Ingredients
Recipe
Nutritional Information
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Share how you’ve made a difference in your community to inspire others.
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Recipes for Action
How to Join a Buy Nothing Group
SHORT TERM
IT'S A GROUP
ONLY FREE RECIPES

How to Join a Buy Nothing Group

People explore a Buy Nothing options outside.
Image Credit: Michael Clevenger, Courier Journal

Join a Buy Nothing group to swap gently-used items with neighbors.

Why this recipe matters

Did you know that household goods and services are responsible for up to 72% of greenhouse gas emissions? The more goods you consume, the more energy you use, which can have a negative impact on our efforts to reduce climate change.

Ingredients

Recipe

1. Find your community.

  • Visit the Buy Nothing Project’s website or download the app to find a local group. If you can’t find a community near you, Buy Nothing has great resources to help you start your own group.

2. Search for items you’re considering purchasing.

  • The next time you’re considering purchasing a new product, think about whether you can easily find a free, used one in your Buy Nothing group instead.

3. Think twice before you throw away items.

  • Consider whether items you no longer use can be given away for free instead of thrown away. Just make sure they’re in good condition or easily repairable before posting them in your group.

4. Spread the word.

  • After you’ve spent some time in your group, invite friends and neighbors to join. The more people who are part of your community the better!

Nutritional Information

How this recipe has nurtured a community

“We have plenty right here within each of our local communities to sustain us. If we can reuse and refurbish and fix and repair and just keep recycling these items, nothing needs to be discarded.”

— Liesl B. Clark, one of the founders of the Buy Nothing Project

Finishing Touch

If you enjoyed giving away and finding used homegoods with your community, consider what else you can share with others. Can you cook and share a meal with someone? Do you have a helpful skill set—such as the ability to knit sweaters or do your taxes—that you can share with neighbors?