Doing My Part to Save the Earth

It may not seem like much at first, but picking up FREE items from craigslist.com can really make a difference. Do you know how many sofas are given away for FREE on a daily basis? 214 were listed for FREE in the San Francisco area Craigslist when I searched on 11/25/2007. 214!! Absolutely free! And that was just sofas and couches. There were also 99 tables, 76 desks, and 95 beds - ALL FREE! I found similar results in New York, Sacramento, Philadelphia, Denver, Orange County, Portland - the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, many of these ads said that if no one picked up their items they would end up at the landfill that weekend.

I know what you're thinking: "Yeah, who wouldn't give away some old, broken, ugly computer desk." But guess what - I was so surprised by how many of these items were in like-new condition. There are quite a few circumstances when people need to get rid of their nice, new things in a hurry: moving out of state, moving to a smaller space, getting a divorce, going off to college, getting married, bought new things and need room, had a baby and need more room, etc, etc, etc.

So, what's my point? Recycle! Reuse! Refurbish! Whatever your stand is on global warming (and I'm pretty skeptical) there's no excuse to be wasteful. Armed with a little bit of crafty imagination, some paint and elbow grease you can beautify your home and garden...and the Earth. :) Plus, perhaps you can turn around and sell your newly refurbished items on Craigslist or Ebay and make a profit, too! That's what I like to call being an Eco-Capitalist: making money by doing the right thing. A real win-win. Now get out there and see what you can find!