Throwplace: Your Trash Really Can Be Another's Treasure

What do you do with items that are in good condition but are not needed any more? You could have a yard sale, throw them away, or try to recycle them, but Throwplace.com offers another alternative that both benefits the environment and people in need.

In 1999, Throwplace.com was developed by Lomangino as an internet site of exchange. The process is easy, fast, and simple. Charities, businesses, and individual people can all contribute. Anyone can list online possessions they are willing to give away. Then, interested people can take what they like for free.

This ingenious creation not only keeps many items out of our already overflowing landfills, but also keeps things out of recycling facilities. Recycling of course is good, but it is even better to reuse than the recycle. Remember, the order of preference is reduce, reuse, and recycle, in terms of the energy required for each process.

There are four sections to Throwplace: U.S. Charity, International Charity, Business/Individual, and Up-For-Grabs. Where you place your items depends on who you want the receiver to be, an official charity or anyone at all.

Some items that have turned up on the site include computers, furniture, and appliances. Other items I have noticed upon browsing include a shower caddy, women's attire, and a fax machine. Also, viewers are able to make requests for potential items, so donors have an idea of what is needed. Email addresses are exchanged so that the two parties can make shipping arrangements directly.

Throwplace has created a wonderful site that connects givers with receivers through the world wide web, where items are exchanged rather than tossed away. Visit their website, www.throwplace.com, to register for free.