Terry Gross recently interviewed author Adam Minter, who asserts: “The best thing you can do [for the planet] is not buy more stuff.” I agree – I’ve spent much of my life deflecting gifts and hand-me-downs, and still have a house full of stuff I don’t need.
But what if you really need stuff? Boston Curb Alert comes to the rescue. Billing itself as the “patron saint of Christmas in Allston,” this website tracks items that Boston residents have put out on the curb. In addition, the site brings together several other resources to help people re-home their second-hand goods. The Boston Curb Alert Twitter feed features listings of free second-hand goods, and humorous snapshots of goods left curbside. Think Craig’s List on steroids.
And if you don’t live in Boston but you’re excited about the concept, you can “add your city” to Curb Alert.
If your Yankee Swap ends up looking a little bit “re-homed,” the planet thanks you.