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Photos via @stoopinginqueens
Here’s how it works: individuals search for
their local Buy Nothing group on Facebook
and check that they live within the boundaries
of that particular group’s coverage area.
Once they are approved as a member, they
may start giving items, asking for things they
need or expressing gratitude.
“I have seen people share their extra herbs
or offer to install furniture. These gestures of
kindness just really light you up. I love the
feeling of interconnectedness, especially
during the pandemic when the feeling of
separation is heightened. Acts of giving and
care for our community members and our
planet remind me that even during this time,
we are all interconnected,” Gellene said.
Currently, there are four Buy Nothing pages
in Astoria organized by region: Ditmars-
Steinway, Astoria East/Woodside North, Astoria
Northwest and Long Island City North/
Astoria South. A Buy Nothing member can
be part of just one group and will only be accepted
if they live within the boundaries.
Admins run and manage the groups, ensuring
that the page sticks to the overall message
of the Buy Nothing Project and that all
members live locally. All Buy Nothing admins
go through a two-week training before the
generous undertaking.
“We all know the three ‘R’s’ right? Reduce,
reuse and recycle. But there is a fourth ‘R’:
Refuse. You don't actually need a lot of the
things that we are told we need, and stepping
outside that is freeing. You can decide
what you want and need, while not listening
to a company that tells you what you want or
need,” said Chrissy Rose, the LIC North/Astoria
South Buy Nothing admin.
Rose has lived in Astoria since 2015 and
started the LIC North/Astoria South in October
of 2019. The admin officially began a zero
waste lifestyle in 2019 after working up to
it bit by bit. She started the Buy Nothing page
because it combined several of her passions,
such as environmentalism, equality and helping
people find access to things they need.
/BOROMAG.COM
