HAVE you ever wanted to get rid of something, but thought it was just a bit too good to take to the tip? Or needed something which you were reluctant to pay for?

I think the answer for most people would be ‘yes’ on both counts.

And it is for this reason the website Freecycle was set up in 2003.

Since then, nearly 10 million people across the world have signed up.

Worcester has its own thriving “freecycling” community with just under 10,000 members.

The website aims to keep rubbish out of landfill by creating local networks of people who want to get rid off stuff and those who are looking to pick things up for free.

It has been described as being similar to eBay, but without the money.

After hearing a lot about Freecycle, I decided to give it a go.

I wouldn’t class myself as some sort of eco-warrior but I try my best to recycle as much as I can and don’t like unnecessarily sending items to landfill.

About two years ago we had a new kitchen fitted but ended up with two sets of cupboard doors and drawers.

For some reason, despite being unused and still in their boxes, the company we bought them from wouldn’t take them back.

I tried selling them on eBay with no success so they sat under our bed gathering dust.

They were a bit too big, heavy and bulky to take to a charity shop.

I thought they might come in handy if any friends or family were having a new kitchen. They didn’t.

Signing up to Freecycle is very straight-forward – username, password, e-mail address, done.

There are two types of posts – either you offer something or say you want something.

I wasn’t expecting much interest at all, but within 10 minutes of posting the details, I received a flood of e-mails, including: “Really interested in your kitchen doors, can pick up tomorrow?” and “Are your kitchen doors still available?”

I was shocked by the immediate response.

Following a couple messages with the first person to enquire, we arranged a collection of the items for the following day at 10am.

I had to then quickly update my post on the website to let others know the items had been taken.

Still slightly apprehensive about the whole process, I put the doors and cupboards by the back door in the morning and bang on time a young man arrived to collect.

He explained how he and his wife had recently moved house and wanted a new kitchen but just couldn’t afford one.

He was absolutely delighted with his acquisition and thanked me profusely for the kind offer.

It was a nice feeling, I felt as though I had helped someone out and made a small contribution to helping the environment.

And I was relieved to finally get rid of the damn things.

I know people who have had positive experiences using Freecycle to pick up pieces of furniture, gardening tools and other random goods.

But if you see something you want, don’t hang around.

I had to disappoint quite a few people who were interested, but were too late.

The only down side for me was that after signing up to the website, I got bombarded with e-mails about all the latest posts in the Worcester area, and believe me there are a lot.

Fortunately, it was no hassle to close my account and I can always reopen one if I need to.

I think Freecycle is an excellent way of sending unwanted items to a good home.

There are lots of people in Worcester who are on the lookout for freebies, which makes the process fairly quick and painless.

Anyone who wants to get involved, can visit the website at freecycle.org.

WHAT'S ON THE WEBSITE

The rules of Freecycle are quite simple you can sell anything apart from people and drugs. Here are some items posted in Worcester.

􀁥 I have some bubble wrap off a delivery package. Quite a bit. Seems a shame to skip it and I already have a roll of the stuff in the shed.
􀁥 I’m holding a Halloween party for the children locally and need some suitable decorations if anyone has anything going spare?
􀁥 I have an iron if it’s of use to anyone, Paul.
􀁥 Approx 1,500 cocktail sticks (unused). We bought the sticks because we wanted the containers which they came in.
􀁥 Nine-month-old black male cat needs to be rehomed due to travelling and a new baby.
􀁥 I require a stethoscope for my university course, if you have one you no longer need please contact me. Thanks.
􀁥 Large fancy corkscrew, boxed.
􀁥 WANTED – Anything have just moved in to my place and in need of everything.