Buy, Swap and Sell Facebook Groups on the rise

BELLARINE and Surf Coast locals have taken to using Buy, Swap and Sell Facebook groups to reduce, reuse and recycle.

The popular Facebook groups enable community members to post used items they want to give away for free, swap for another item or sell second-hand.

Co-founder of one Facebook group, FREECYCLE Bellarine, Gabrielle Waller said the group’s mission is to reduce items going to landfill, and instead encourage re-homing and repurposing, and to encourage sustainability.

“This gifting to others and rehoming items reflects the amazing supportive community we live in here on the Bellarine,” Ms Waller said.

The group has over 600 and allows requests for items, helping the community to save money or avoid buying new items.

“We have also had numerous occasions when someone is setting up home for the first time, puts the call out in the group for items, and is humbled by the generous offers and support given by other members within the group.

“We may have someone asking for empty egg cartons and in return will gift the giver a dozen eggs, or wanting to swap a particular size of children’s clothing with another.

“It is not necessary to give when receiving, but many of our members do like to keep the cycle of giving going and to show their appreciation.”

 

Ms Waller said some items that have found new homes through their group include clothing, shoes, books, toys, household goods and furniture, bikes, camping gear, pots, plants, building materials and packaged food, moving boxes and more.

“There are many local organisations and charities who also utilise the Facebook Group to access resources and items … as well as many other local services seeking donations.” Ms Waller said.

“And we love it when people share up-cycled projects or share sustainability tips, events of interest, and local resources available to further support recycling and sustainable living.”

Another Facebook group on the Surf Coast, Surfcoast Secondhand Page, has been running for over a decade and has more than 8000 members.

Page admin Deborah Ashley said their page is aimed at providing the Surf Coast communities with a place they can swap and sell second-hand items conveniently.

“I think it’s great to have something around the Surf Coast, that you don’t have to travel far to get items,” Ms Ashley said.

“If people want to buy and sell you can get stuff close to home, you feel like you’re part of a community, and you don’t have to travel far to buy something, it’s easy to sell.

“Some people can’t get out and get a certain item they might find on Facebook marketplace if its far, it’s just very convenient to get things close to home.”

Other similar Facebook groups include Surfcoast Free Stuff, with over 7000 members, Surfcoast Buy, Swap and Sell with almost 50,000 members and Surfcoast Secondhand Surfboards with 35,000 members.

To find out more or swap, sell or give an item away head to the Freecycle Bellarine or Surfcoast Secondhand Facebook pages.