Buy Nothing Project - Calgary

[Peanut]

Just hoping to get the word out about some local Buy Nothing Project groups that are up and running in the Calgary area!

The Buy Nothing Project has become a worldwide social movement, with groups in 20 nations. Local groups form gift economies that are complementary and parallel to local cash economies; whether people join because they’d like to quickly get rid of things that are cluttering their lives, or simply to save money by getting things for free, they quickly discover that these groups are not just another free recycling platform. A gift economy’s real wealth is the people involved and the web of connections that forms to support them.

The aim of the Buy Nothing Project is to:

Buy Nothing. Give Freely. Share Creatively. Post anything you’d like to give away, lend, or share among neighbors. Ask for anything you’d like to receive for free or borrow. Keep it legal. Keep it civil. No buying or selling, no trades or bartering, no soliciting for cash. We’re an adult-only hyper-local gift economy.

These are the current Buy Nothing groups running in Calgary, if you're interested in participating and live in one of these communities, please join! And if you're interested in participating but live in a community that doesn't yet have a group established, you could always start one.

Varsity-University-Parkdale (Montgomery, St. Andrew’s Heights, University Heights, Point McKay)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629636297151514/

Brentwood-Triwood-Dalhousie (Charleswood,Collingwood,Foothills Estates)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BuyNothingYYCBDT/

Chapparal (Midnapore, Sundance, Walden, Legacy, and surrounding areas)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/372729026246418/

Dover-ErinWoods
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1098268770216077/

Evanston
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1429191867158153

Lake Bonavista (Deer Run, Deer Run Estates, Deer Ridge Estates, Deer Ridge, Deer River Estates, Parkland, Queensland, Bonavista Downs, Lake Bonaventure and Diamond Cove)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1382388762068546/

Ranchlands-Hawkwood-Silver Springs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/222148474879862/

[marsplasticeraser]

Great idea. Just joined my local group.

We have so much stuff this will be great for spring clean.

[agulati]

It is a really cool concept. I sent a request to join the one for my community about half an hour ago, but now, the group either has been taken offline, been made private or I have been blocked for some reason.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by agulati

It is a really cool concept. I sent a request to join the one for my community about half an hour ago, but now, the group either has been taken offline, been made private or I have been blocked for some reason.

Did they have the group questions thing set up and were you asked for your specific address? They are crazy specific on addresses and if you fall outside of the boundaries they set up for each area, then too bad, so sad and they'll block you right from the get go. That was my experience anyway, as a former admin of one of these groups.

[agulati]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Did they have the group questions thing set up and were you asked for your specific address? They are crazy specific on addresses and if you fall outside of the boundaries they set up for each area, then too bad, so sad and they'll block you right from the get go. That was my experience anyway, as a former admin of one of these groups.

Oh I am definitely in the community. The question asked for which two streets intersect close to where I live, which I provided. It is really weird though. Doesn't give a "community" vibe, if they are blocking people who belong to the exact boundary.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by agulati

Oh I am definitely in the community. The question asked for which two streets intersect close to where I live, which I provided. It is really weird though. Doesn't give a "community" vibe, if they are blocking people who belong to the exact boundary.

They want to keep each area to a certain size, in terms of population, to keep it "neighbourly" - can't remember the #s. If I could remember the name of the Western Canada head admin, I'd message her for you and inquire, since you no longer have access to the group but off the top of my head, I can't. I could go back through my FB messages and see if I can find it - it's been 2 or 3 years though lol, so it would take a while.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by agulati

Oh I am definitely in the community. The question asked for which two streets intersect close to where I live, which I provided. It is really weird though. Doesn't give a "community" vibe, if they are blocking people who belong to the exact boundary.

You can pm me if you want. I’m in contact with the Calgary admins for these groups!