How thousands of people around the globe are using social media to get to know their neighbors and pool their resources. Innovator Rebecca Rockefeller is the co-founder of the Buy Nothing Project.
Buy Nothing is a network of people, who gift others with things/stuff they no longer wish to have. The project is based on 3 rules: Gift, Ask, & Gratitude. Co-Founder Rebecca Rockefeller was interviewed in 2014 shortly after the launch of the project. By summer 2022, there were thousands of groups in more than 60 countries, with about 6 million members. Buy Nothing was built on Facebook groups, which still exist. Recently, the co-founders have built an independent platform buynothingproject.org
FOOD FOR THOUGHT & CONVERSATION
- If you have participated in a Buy Nothing group, please share your experiences. If not, what stuff would you donate? What stuff would you be interested in receiving? Would happenings like the Book and Brew evenings increase the people connections in your community?
- Rebecca believes that “we want to be connected and….we don’t get that through stuff.” Agree? Disagree? Why?
- Buy Nothing uses the Facebook platform to help assure that the people who are participating really live in that neighborhood or community. What are your thoughts about that?
ACTIONS
- Find a Buy Nothing group near you.
- If no group exists in your community, invite friends, colleagues or community members to view this video with you and take steps to start your own.
ABOUT REBECCA
Rebecca Rockefeller is the co-founder of the Buy Nothing Project. She is a writer, farmer, citizen scientist & educator and has owned several businesses over the years. After studying at Seattle Academy of Arts & Science, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Economy & Social Change at Evergreen State College.