Related Articles
As the old adage goes, one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure – and I’ve discovered how true that is. There’s been a surge in ‘before the tip’ pages on Facebook, aimed at helping individuals discard unwanted items and find what they need or want.
The process is straightforward: if you have something to give away, you post a picture and brief description on your local group and wait for takers. Generally, the first person to comment who can collect within a reasonable time frame and has made a polite request gets the item.
What I love about these pages is the chance to come across a post offering something you need (for free) while casually scrolling. Everything is given away on these pages, saving people the inconvenience of a trip to the tip and allowing others to breathe new life into unwanted items.
READ MORE: Coventry’s secret star turn in classic Michael Caine film The Italian Job
After a garage clear-out that would impress Stacey Solomon and the rest of the BBC Sort Your Life Out team, I decided to give it a go. I posted a variety of items on my local site, including stair gates, a stroller, and numerous toys and jigsaws.
Within moments of my posts getting the green light, I’d exchanged messages with interested parties and arranged for pick-up. Most items were handed over within a few hours, with only one person failing to show up, reports Birmingham Live.
Despite the fact the items were free, some people inevitably messed you about when it came to collection, either by not showing up at the agreed time and not messaging to say they’ll be late, or by not turning up at all. Thankfully, most of my experiences have been positive, and I’ve also managed to secure some freebies for myself, including a Minions Play-Doh set, a mini Spider-Man air hockey game, and a bag full of assorted toys, which were a big hit with my toddler.
There are several sites serving most areas, each boasting hundreds of members and dozens of daily posts. Clothes hangers, glasses, mugs, dinner plates, soft toys, and books are just some of the items commonly gifted.
Larger items occasionally available include sofas, washing machines, and TV stands. Some of the more unusual items that have apparently been snapped up include The Encyclopaedia of Fishing, John Wayne DVDs, empty coffee jars, and a stethoscope.
These sites have something for everyone; they’re definitely worth a look. Also, if you’re having a clear out, it’s an option worth considering – especially if you don’t have the time or means to get to a charity shop or the tip – after all, it’s nice to help each other out.
