My Buy Nothing Group Admin Is Inactive — What Are My Options?
Overview
Occasionally, a Buy Nothing Facebook group may become inactive due to absent or unresponsive admins. While this can be frustrating for an engaged community, Buy Nothing Facebook groups are independently managed, and there is no formal process to transfer control of an existing group.
Why Buy Nothing Can’t Transfer Group Ownership
Local Buy Nothing Facebook groups are administered independently by volunteers. The Buy Nothing Project does not have administrative access to individual Facebook groups and cannot intervene to remove or replace inactive admins.
Options for Continuing to Build Community
Option 1: Use the Buy Nothing App (Recommended)
The Buy Nothing app was designed to remove reliance on a single administrator and allow communities to form organically.
Benefits include:
- No waiting for an admin: Anyone can join and begin Giving and Asking immediately
- Participant-controlled radius: Each person chooses how local or broad their sharing area is
- Immediate participation: Communities can grow as people join and engage
Start sharing now:
Private Communities (App Feature)
Buy Nothing is launching Private Communities within the app, allowing participants to intentionally build hyperlocal spaces in a purpose-built platform.
Option 2: Start a New Facebook Group
If Facebook is the preferred platform, a new Buy Nothing group can be created for the community.
This option allows new admins to build an active group using current Buy Nothing materials and guidelines.
Summary
Inactive Buy Nothing Facebook groups cannot be taken over administratively. However, participation can continue by using the Buy Nothing app—where no admin is required—or by starting a new Facebook group for the community. Both options support ongoing gifting and community connection.