Free Box

On my way to work this morning, I scored a bottle of chewable papaya enzyme tablets , organic nipple cream, and Gripe Water- an herbal tonic to relieve baby colic. I picked these things out of a cardboard box placed near the curb and a child carseat. They were clearly there for the taking along with a few other new baby items that didnt appeal to me. The first item is unopened, the other two are barely used and new looking.

Berkeley has a traditional of recycling. Municipal curbside recycling began in Berkeley in the 70's. Today however, a more informal version of curbside recycling has entered local culture. I would guess it originates from the Free Box concept. The Free Box was a wooden platform in People's Park in Berkeley that goes back to the park's establishment in the late 60's. Anyone could bring stuff that they no longer wanted to the box and leave it there for someone else to pick through and pick up. I haven't looked to see whether the People's Park Free Box still stands. The community freebox requires someone cleans up the truly unwanted cast-offs. Today's People Park is home to many homeless and the Free Box can get pretty skanky.

Well somehow this idea has been translated in the personal free box. A resident puts out a bunch of items that he or she no longer wants and lets passersby come and take what they will.
I love this.
More than the good stuff I've scored over the years, I love the assumptions that make this system work. First, that people in the neighborhood walk. Many will walk by and someone will find something they will take home. And second, that products, say 2/3 a bottle of hair conditioner can have a second life.

So today I am a little more ready for my baby with a couple organic creams and chewable relief to heartburn. Thanks neighbor.