There’s No Oversight and Some Items Being Given Seem Like Trash

Overview

In a hyper-local gift economy, the range of items offered can be wide and sometimes unexpected. Buy Nothing communities intentionally allow for broad participation in what can be given and received.

Buy Nothing’s Approach to Item Oversight

There is no quality-control or value-based oversight on most items offered within Buy Nothing communities. This is a foundational principle of the Buy Nothing Project.

Why There Is No Quality Filtering

One Person’s Treasure

Items that may appear unwanted or low-value to one person can be genuinely useful—or even essential—to another. For example, food items (including leftovers) may provide immediate support to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

No Value Judgments

Buy Nothing does not assign monetary or material value to gifts. The purpose of the gift economy is to reduce waste and meet real wants and needs. Allowing a wide variety of items supports this goal and reflects the diversity of community circumstances.

Reducing Waste

Every item shared—rather than discarded—contributes to keeping materials out of landfills. Participation is centered on reuse and connection rather than curation.

Restricted Items and Safety Guidelines

While most items are allowed, there is a clear list of items that cannot be gifted for legal or safety reasons (such as alcohol and firearms).

Community members are encouraged to review:

• Community Guidelines (including expectations around safe and appropriate gifting)
• Terms of Use (including prohibited items)

These policies exist to protect participants while preserving openness and inclusivity.

Community Responsibility

Buy Nothing relies on community trust. Participants are expected to offer items that are safe and appropriate and to engage respectfully with differing perspectives on usefulness and need.

Summary

Buy Nothing does not impose quality or value judgments on most gifted items. This approach supports waste reduction, meets diverse needs, and reflects an abundance mindset. While certain items are restricted for safety and legal reasons, the variety of gifts is a core feature of the gift economy.