What Is a Buy Nothing Group?
The Buy Nothing movement began as a way to help people resist consumer culture and embrace gift economies. At its core, a Buy Nothing group encourages individuals to pay nothing and instead give and receive items freely within their communities.
Launched by Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller in 2013 on Bainbridge Island, the Buy Nothing Project quickly grew from a small idea into a global phenomenon. The concept was simple: create groups on Facebook where neighbors could connect to give away unwanted items instead of throwing them in the landfill.
Today, there are thousands of groups across the globe. Whether you’re looking to receive free items or if you want to give things away to someone who may need them and avoid the landfill, a Buy Nothing Group is just want you need. You’re very likely to come across an active group in your area —either on Facebook or via the Buy Nothing app.
Why You Should Join a Local Buy Nothing Group
The Benefits of Gifting and Giving Away
Joining a Buy Nothing group is a great way to declutter your home, help others, and receive items for free—all without the expectation of trading or bartering. Gifts on Buy Nothing groups can vary greatly, from household goods to toys, clothing, books, and even food. You never know what gifts you may find for yourself or for someone you know, or what you may have that will be a treasure to your neighbor.
Before buying something new, you can often find things for free from your local community. Asking within the group can help someone who needs to get rid of something they no longer need, pass it along to you (or someone else) who is in need of it currently. This approach saves money, reduces waste, and fosters a spirit of generosity. When you’re giving instead of tossing, you’re building a stronger, more sustainable community.
Strengthening Your Local Community
Buy Nothing communities thrive on the idea of sharing among neighbors. Because each group is hyper-local, they encourage community building in a way traditional freebie groups or resale platforms don’t. When you join your local Buy Nothing group, you’re not only reducing waste—you’re getting to know the members within the group, fostering real-life connections and trust.
How to Find and Join a Buy Nothing Group Near You
How to Use Buy Nothing Groups Effectively
Finding and joining a group is easy:
- Visit the Buy Nothing website to use the Buy Nothing Project Find a Group tool.
- Search for a group on Facebook by typing your neighborhood or surrounding area, along with “Buy Nothing”.
- Use the Buy Nothing app, available on most mobile platforms.
While some groups still operate as local Facebook groups, others have moved away from Facebook to use the app, which was created to make it easier to transfer gifts and communicate outside of the Facebook platform.
In both formats, once you join, you can post items you no longer need and browse items that other’s no longer need. Group admins help ensure that everything runs smoothly and that members follow the simple Buy Nothing rules.
Steps to Join a Buy Nothing Group
- Find a Buy Nothing group using the website, app, or by searching for a Buy Nothing group on Facebook.
- Answer any required membership questions (most of the Facebook groups have short screening questions to ensure that you are in the correct group).
- Review the group rules, especially around gifting, posting, and respectful communication.
- Begin posting—whether you’re giving away an item or asking for an item you need.
Note: You can only belong to one group in your area at a time. This maintains the hyper-local nature of the community. If you move, you’ll need to move Buy Nothing groups accordingly.
The Rules of Buy Nothing: What You Need to Know
Common Guidelines and Etiquette for Gifting Things on Buy Nothing
All Buy Nothing groups follow a similar set of guiding principles. These Buy Nothing Project rules help keep the spaces safe, fair, and generous:
- Give freely, without expecting payment or trade.
- Request freely—ask for anything you need.
- Be kind and patient; responses are voluntary.
- Use respectful communication (often through Facebook Messenger or the app).
- Leave the item in an agreed-upon place, if needed.
- Pick up in a timely manner. If you are not able to pick up when you initially stated, let the gifter know.
These group rules may vary slightly, especially between Facebook and the Buy Nothing app, but the intent is always to foster generosity, reduce consumerism, and build community.
What You Can (and Can’t) Give Away
Buy Nothing groups allow nearly anything legal to be gifted, as long as it aligns with local laws, group guidelines, and if applicable, Facebook’s rules. Items that are able to be gifted usually include:
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Kitchen items and household goods
- Toys, baby items, books, and games
- Unused toiletries or pantry items
- Furniture, rugs and decor
- Plants and gardening tools
- Bicyles and accessories
- Tools and yard equipment
However, some things—such as weapons, expired food, prescriptions or recalled items—are prohibited. Always check your specific group rules or consult the group admin if you’re unsure.
Final Thoughts on Why Buy Nothing Groups Work
Embracing a Culture of Giving
The Buy Nothing movement is about more than just free items—it’s about changing how we think about generosity and waste. Whether you’re using the Buy Nothing Facebook group, the Buy Nothing site, or the app, each interaction supports gift economies and creates stronger, more resilient communities.
The Buy Nothing project works because they focus on kindness, sustainability, and local connection. If you’re ready to join a wonderful new group, build your community and make friends and reduce waste, there’s probably one in your area just waiting for you to participate.
Ready to get started? Visit the website to find a Buy Nothing group near you, or download the app and join the Buy Nothing movement today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buy Nothing Groups
What is a Buy Nothing group?
A Buy Nothing group is a neighborhood gift economy where members of the group offer and request free items — no money, no barter, no strings attached. The idea is rooted in the Buy Nothing Project, which encourages communities to buy less, reduce waste, and connect with neighbors through generosity.
Is the app required to join a Buy Nothing group?
Not always. With the launch of the app, many groups tend to operate there, others still use Facebook to manage their communities. The platform used depends on your local group. Be sure to check the Buy Nothing website for the correct platform in your area.
Can I join multiple groups at once?
No. The Buy Nothing Project encourages people to join only one super local group. The purpose of this rule is to keep the experience community-focused. So even if you’re located around multiple groups, you should only be active in the Buy Nothing neighborhood that corresponds to your home address.
How are Buy Nothing groups managed?
Each group may have one or more volunteer admins who ensure the group runs smoothly. These Buy Nothing adminsapprove new members, moderate posts, and uphold the group’s guidelines to ensure a safe, respectful environment.
What kinds of things can I give or receive?
You can give or request nearly anything legal, safe, and appropriate. This includes household goods, clothes, books, food, and more. Items through Buy Nothing groups range widely, but the key is that everything offered must be completely free. You’re not allowed to charge, trade, or sell.
Can I still participate if I don’t use Facebook?
Yes! While many groups began on Facebook, the Buy Nothing Project now offers a dedicated app to make access more inclusive. If you’re new to the movement, look for a group using the app or the website.
How do I know if there’s a group in my area?
You can search for a Buy Nothing group near you by visiting the website or downloading the app. If there isn’t one yet, you may even be able to help start a new Buy Nothing group for your area.
What if my group doesn’t follow the usual rules?
If your group doesn’t seem to align with the Buy Nothing Project guidelines, it may be operating independently. Use the phrases “buy nothing group” or “buy nothing project” carefully when promoting (or searching for) a group. Always check for official affiliation through the Buy Nothing website or app.
What are the benefits of participating in a Buy Nothing group?
Being part of a Buy Nothing neighborhood helps you buy less, build community, and give unwanted items a second life. Many people enjoy receiving items for free that they would otherwise consider buying new, and on the flip side, gifting stuff for free they no longer need. It’s a powerful way to connect with the people in the group and reduce environmental impact at the same time.
Why do groups focus on being “hyper-local”?
The hyper-local gift model is what makes this project unique. By limiting Buy Nothing membership to small geographical areas, it ensures that members of the group live close enough to make pickups easy and personal connections possible. This also helps reduce transportation-related emissions and makes community sharing more efficient.
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