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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Matters
Ingredients
Recipe
Nutritional Information
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Recipes for Action
How to Start a Free Store
long termit's a groupmodest budget

How to Start a Free Store

A photograph of the P.S. 18 free store in Brooklyn, NY.
Image courtesy of the P.S. 18 free store in Brooklyn, NY.

Start a free store to sustainably swap or donate gently-used items with members of your community.

Why this recipe matters

People around the world throw out over 2 billion tons of household waste every year—that’s more than 60 tons of waste every second!

Recipe

1. Decide on a venue.

  • Find a suitable space to host the free store. It could be in a garage, a room at your community center or house of worship, or any accessible space large enough to accommodate items and visitors.
  • Determine operating hours based on when the location can accept visitors, as well as your own schedule; for instance, will the free store be open everyday, or only on certain days between certain hours? During what days or hours will you accept donations?

2. Create promotional materials.

  • Include details about the free store’s location and operating hours on promotional flyers, as well as examples of items people can donate or find at the free store.
  • If you’re based near NYC, add your store to the Free Store map so others can find you online.

3. Collect donations.

  • Determine what types of donations are acceptable for the free store. For example, clothing items should be clean and gently-used and technology should be functional.
  • Reach out to individuals, businesses, and local organizations for in-kind donations.

4. Organize and set up the free store.

  • Sort and organize donations by category—such as clothing and household items—and use shelves, racks, or tables to neatly display items.
  • Establish guidelines for visitors (such as item limits per visit) to ensure fair distribution.

5. Maintain the free store.

  • Continuously maintain the store by restocking, cleaning, and ensuring a welcoming environment for those who come in.
  • Recruit volunteers to help with staffing, organizing, and assisting visitors.

Nutritional Information

How this recipe has nurtured a community

“I’m passionate about reducing waste, providing items to people in need, and opting out of the capitalistic pressures to resist generosity and keep things we don't need out of sunk cost. [Starting a free store] makes giving away things easier because they are going to a good place.”

— Nydia M.

Finishing Touch

If space allows, add a craft table near the front of the store to encourage upcycling. Visitors can decorate glass jars or clothing with donated, non-toxic paints or embroidery materials before taking their items home. Don’t forget to snap a few pics to share everyone’s unique creations with the larger community!