Freecycle is a U.S. movement which encourages members to give away unwanted goods.

Sunderland Freecycle started in July 2005 and now has more than 3,000 members offering everything from BMXs to bathmats – all for free.

Hundreds of requests and offers are posted every week at the group's website, which aims to change the world one gift at a time.

The only rules are items must be suitable for all ages, free and in the Sunderland area.

Member Samantha Pickard, from Seaburn Dene, has kitted out her baby with help from Freecycle.

The 23-year-old mum said: "I've got to say I think it's fab and such a good idea. In the past if I couldn't fit something in the house it's had to be thrown on the tip, even if it was in good condition.

"But since being with Freecycle I've been able give away a single divan which was like new, and a sunbed, so they have gone to a good home instead of adding to the rubbish we produce.

"Also, I've been given a moses basket – it looks new – and a bag of baby clothes.

"If it hadn't been for Freecycle I would never have been able to afford outfits like that.

"Why throw things on the dump when they are in good condition?"

Elliot Briggs, 38, also from Sunderland, uses Freecycle to go green.

"Every household is being targeted from many avenues with the need to recycle their waste. To help reduce the level of landfill, some councils actually giving incentives to get the public to recycle," he said.

"The Freecycle site makes me feel that I am in some additional way, helping to decrease the level of landfill by utilising the reuse good items that have been deemed as useless for another individual."

Andrea Siggens joined up to help a Durham animal charity.
She requested spare yarn so her mum, Joyce Middlemiss, can knit blankets for Deerness Kennels in Langley Moor.

Generous Freecyle members came forward with bagfuls of wool to create 180 blankets.

Derek Mackinnon, from St Luke's Road, Pallion, Sunderland, says: "I check out the site on a daily basis and it really makes you take notice.

"One of the great things about the site is that if you have something on the large side to get rid of and have no transport, I guarantee someone will be able to make use of that article.

"I find it a brilliant way to recycle. As they say, your junk is someone's gold."

To join visit www.freecycle.org.