Ecofreek: the ultimate recycling search engine?

• Mar. 17 by Rachael Giaramita (1)

After Freecycle’s feature in the Birmingham Mail, Ecofreek want to tell Birmingham residents about their ‘ultimate search engine’ for the free, tradable items.

The online tool is created using over 45 sources to search for items making it the most diverse, and accurate search engine about.

So is it just like Freecycle?

Not unlike Frecycle, Ecofreek offer a trade/swap option which hopes to encourage both parties involved to reuse.

It also offers a larger scope for searching items, and cuts down the hassle and time for users.

By offering  this service Ecofreek wants to improve the impact of household waste has on the environment;

‘Our mission is to provide a means for people to find items they need while reducing landfill waste.’

How does Ecofreek compete with Freegle?

There is only one downfall to Ecofreeks, unlike Freegle there is no option for users to search by city, or county meaning you may have to travel some miles to secure your items.

However Ecofreeks are making relevant changes to the website to help make the experience more enjoyable for users.

Ecofreeks is still at the first stages of creation by looking at the American postings it seems to working brilliantly, and hopefully with support will become a welcomed addition to the freegle market.

The recycling trend

Many people are taking of advantage of the initiative at Starbucks to get money off their coffee by bringing their own cup, which is brilliant and can help reduce waste emissions drastically.

This trend of “reuse-not brand new” can be seen on sites like Flikr where you can post up photo’s, or get tips on crafty creations made through reusing old materials.

Ebay is a great tool for buying old items instead of new and a better alternative if you don’t have means to arrange a collection.