A GROWING movement has people finding a new purpose for their no longer needed items, by giving and receiving, sharing, and lending.

But above all else, the ‘Buy Nothing Project’ has neighbours getting to know each other, forming friendships and creating a community.

Evanston Park’s Mel Lamborn introduced the Buy Nothing Project to Gawler just over two years ago when she read about its success interstate.

The concept involves people who live close together connecting through a Facebook group that functions as a localised gift economy.

People offer items as giveaways, can loan an item or simply offer their knowledge or help as needed.

“I like sustainability, I like community, I like free things, I like meeting new people and it just seemed to be a wonderful combination of all the good things that are sort of missing in the world these days,” Mel said.

“I was going to church, volunteering and going to work here, but Buy Nothing made Gawler home for me.

“Once I actually got to know the people and the community within the town better that really made the difference.”

Mel’s Facebook group took off reasonably fast and when it began to have 40 to 60 posts a day, it was split off into three separate groups to cover the Gawler region.

She’s now the SA Development Team Member for the project, as well as assists on a global level.

She said the initiative has helped her numerous times, from being able to borrow a DVD or vacuum cleaner to having help changing a car battery, and even being loaned a car to get to work.

“Stuff is the avenue in which we can connect with each other, is the way I like to see it,” she said.

“I made it a bit of a rule that if we are doing a gift exchange, I’m meeting you at the same time – don’t just leave it on the front door step.”

The Buy Nothing Project group is how she met friends Jayne Gurney and Tracey Trenowden, each of Gawler East and who are now on board as admins.

“The first time I met Mel, I lent her a brand new vacuum cleaner and then panicked all day because it was the first time I met her and I was thinking I might not get it back,” Jayne said.

“…The stuff is great but it’s the relationships you make.”

Tracey first joined when she was renovating and said she loves how there is always someone who needs or wants what’s on offer.

“I don’t think we should undervalue how much is being diverted from landfill and how much consumerism is being prevented by Buy Nothing,” she said.

“If I need or want something my first instinct now is to actually ask on the Buy Nothing page, because you just never know what people have got sitting around.”

People can find the Buy Nothing group for where they live by searching a list or map on the official website (buynothingproject.org).