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Community Corner

Fenton Resident Wants to Spread Word about Freecycle

More than 11,000 items saved from landfills so far.

To date, more than 11,000 items have been kept from landfills through the local Freecycle group.

Fenton resident Stephanie Pytlowanyj heard about the online group in 2007. Members give each other yard-sale quality items they can no longer use, benefitting those in the community and saving items from being thrown in the trash.

There wasn't a Fenton Freecycle group in 2007, so Pytlowanyj joined the Holly one. Several months later, she decided to begin a Freecycle group in Fenton. Now Linden is part of it, but Pytlowanyj still sees way too many usable items out by the curb on trash day, she said.

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She asked for Fenton City Council's help in getting the word out, on the city website and Facebook page.

"As one person, you can only do so much," Pytlowanyj said.

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Everything Freecycle members offer each other has to be free, legal and age-appropriate (no pornography or guns, for example). Pytlowanyj moderates the online group to ensure this. To give an item away, Freecycle members can tell others to pick it up off their porch, or meet the recipient somewhere. She usually selects the porch pickup option, Pytlowanyj said. "We get to know each other." Freecycle is a really kind, loving community of people, she said.

Mayor Sue Osborn asked City Manager Lynn Markland if information on Fenton-Linden Freecycle can be placed on the city of Fenton's website. He said he couldn't think why not.

Osborn specified that no one can be making money from it, and Pytlowanyj said the group is free for people to join and members ask for and receive items free of charge. For example, she had an extra pool filter, and someone in Freecycle needed one. No money was exchanged. "It has to be free. No money is ever exchanged. It's never permitted."

Items are kept local, and ideas for Freecycle usage include spring cleaning, yard sale leftovers, moving and downsizing. Items include toys, plants, clothes, bicycles, appliances, gardening tools, construction materials, furniture and tools.

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