Do You Have a One-Group Rule?
Overview
Buy Nothing does not have a universal one-group rule. Participation across multiple Buy Nothing groups is allowed under the current standard rules.
Official Policy on Multiple Groups
According to the most up-to-date Buy Nothing guidelines, members may participate in more than one Buy Nothing group.
Guiding Principles
Abundance Mindset
Buy Nothing supports the existence of many gift economies and many options for sharing. No single group is expected to serve as the sole gifting space for an entire region. Groups are intended to be complementary rather than competitive.
Local Variation
If a local Buy Nothing admin chooses to implement a “one-group rule,” this is considered a local variation, not a global standard. In these cases:
- The rule must be clearly stated as a local variation
- The admin must take ownership of the rule by adding their name
- Questions or concerns about the rule should be addressed locally
This transparency helps participants understand which rules are universal and which are locally defined.
Buy Nothing’s Recommendation to Admins
The Buy Nothing Project strongly encourages admins to:
- Trust participants when they say they belong to a community
- Avoid boundary policing or gatekeeping practices
- Minimize exclusionary impacts that can result from restrictive rules
Restrictive participation rules can unintentionally exclude people and limit access to sharing opportunities. Greater access generally leads to more giving, less waste, and stronger neighborhood connections.
A Boundary-Free Option: The Buy Nothing App
For those seeking an experience without group or boundary restrictions, the Buy Nothing web and mobile platform provides an alternative.
How the App Works
No Group Limits
Anyone can join and participate without being restricted to a single group.
Flexible Locations
Participants can change their sharing location as they travel or move, allowing connection with multiple communities over time.
Complementary Use
The app can be used alongside Facebook groups or independently.
Join the platform:
Summary
Buy Nothing does not enforce a one-group rule. While local admins may introduce local variations, participation in multiple groups is permitted under standard guidelines, and the Buy Nothing app offers a fully boundary-free option for sharing.