Give, exchange, share: the “Buy Nothing” groups that unite the neighborhood

An initiative that helps us avoid wasting what we no longer need and allows us to be of service to others, fostering neighborly relationships and new friendships.

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Screenshot 2025 12 05 at 15.45.20

I “Buy Nothing” groups They are born from the idea that true wealth is not accumulating objects, but sharing what we already have and building bonds with those who live nearby. They are not flea markets nor spaces for bartering: everything is donated, without conditions. Objects, time, skills, or small daily help, such as lending a tool, offering a ride, or helping out in the garden, become opportunities for create communityThe project took shape in the United States in 2013, on Bainbridge Island, thanks to Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller. The idea came after an experience in Nepal, where Clark observed communities where sharing is a natural part of daily life. Once back in the United States, she and Rockefeller envisioned bringing that spirit to modern cities, using Facebook to create local groups with specific boundaries, like a neighborhood or residential area.

The strength of Buy Nothing lies not only in the waste reduction, but also in the social value which is born from the gift. Participating means rediscovering the neighbors and transform simple gestures into opportunities for connection. Even what seems useless can find new life and become a means of building trust. A stroller moving house, a gifted plant, or a borrowed tool can become the first step toward feeling part of a community. This simplicity restores meaning to objects, but also to the relationships and space we live in. In a society where everything is bought and consumed quickly, Buy Nothing proposes a different direction—slower, more humane, more shared.

From the first experiment to global diffusion

Within a few months, the idea grew into a network of thousands of local communities. Each group covers a small geographic area to facilitate meetings between neighbors and make exchanges accessible. Over time, a dedicated app was also developed, designed to avoid the competitive logic typical of traditional social networks.

The movement arrives in Italy

In Italy, the phenomenon emerged later and initially went almost unnoticed. The turning point came in 2021 with Veronica Saetti, a citizen of Modena who, after discovering the project internationally, noticed the lack of active groups in her country. Convinced that the gift economy could bring concrete benefits to neighborhood life, she founded the first Italian group: Buy Nothing ModenaThe goal is not just to reduce waste, but to rebuild trust and reciprocity, offering a real alternative to consumerism.

The group quickly grew. Families, students, retirees, and sustainability-minded individuals began to participate, donating not just items, but also time and expertise. What initially seemed like a way to get rid of unwanted items quickly transformed into a space for exchange and social support.

The Buy Nothing groups in Italy

The network continues to grow, and more and more cities are experimenting with this form of community giving. Many groups operate through Facebook and require application to join, thus maintaining a local and recognizable community.

Here are the groups currently present in Italy:

In some cities, groups are active by neighborhood, while in others they exist as a single regional group. Often, where no group exists, individual citizens form new ones.

Why Buy Nothing Can Transform a Neighborhood

The value of Buy Nothing lies in its ability to give new life to objects, reduce waste, and provide people with what they need without resorting to purchase. In a time of rising living costs, this approach represents concrete support. The heart of the project, however, is social: participating means breaking out of isolation and building bonds of trust. What is no longer needed by one person may be essential to another. For many, Buy Nothing isn't just a way to save money, but an experience that transforms their relationship with objects and the community. It's not an instant change: it grows through small, everyday gestures that, over time, can transform a neighborhood into a more aware and supportive network.

Cover image source: Life in Abruzzo Buy Nothing Group/Facebook

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