Free stuff capitals of the USA

Every day, thousands of people use Trash Nothing to give away their unwanted items. Helping others, saving money, and cutting waste instead of throwing things away.

We analysed tens of thousands of listings over the last year to discover which places are most generous when it comes to giving and the circular economy.

The most given category nationally is furniture, representing around 20% of all give-aways. Electronics is America’s second most-shared category, led by tech-savvy Californians, followed by books and clothing.

Photo by Alex Bamford

Places with the most free stuff in the USA

The San Francisco Bay Area is the most generous area in the US, with its Trash Nothing community giving away 4,300 items over the past year.

The neighbourhoods of Sunnyvale, Cupertino, San Rafael, Belmont and Rancho Rinconada were some of the best places to find free stuff in the country.

As well a lots of furniture, clothes, bedding, household electrics, beauty products, kitchen equipment, toys, and computer equipment, people gave away a piano, air conditioner, rocking horse, Leonardo Da Vinci costume, hydroponic grower, pumpkin spiced latte, Guatemalan nativity scene, rollerblades and a surfboard. That’s California!

“There are lots of freecycling options these days between Trash Nothing, Buy Nothing, Facebook, Next Door, Craigslist, etc. Trash Nothing is probably the easiest freecycling system to use (and moderate).

People are giving all sorts of stuff away all the time -- sofas, tables, chairs, and more. In the SF Bay area people just have too much stuff so they are constantly looking to pass it on to others who need it so it does not become trash. It's often easier to freecycle something via Trash Nothing instead of throwing it out (and possibly getting charged for the disposal).” –Tim Oey, moderator of the Sunnyvale and Cupertino groups

New York City took second place, giving away approximately 2700 items over the same time period. Brooklyn is the biggest gifting borough and looks like a great place to find free clothing.

Los Angeles came in third, helping make California the most generous US state. The most active communities in LA are found in the suburbs rather than central districts.

Portland stands out in the Pacific Northwest, and is the best place to find free garden tools.

In the East, the Baltimore–Washington corridor is the most active region outside of New York.

Midwestern cities Chicago and Minneapolis are solidly in the 10, while major southern metros such as Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta (where Trash Nothing was founded!) don’t make the cut.

It does seem like folk in bigger cities have more stuff to give away but we know that our fellow citizens elsewhere are generous in other ways. According to research by wallethub, the most charitable states for people donating their time and money are Wyoming, Utah, Maryland, Minnesota and Virginia.

Will your area make our top 10 next year? That’s up to you! Sign up to Trash Nothing, join your local community and get busy decluttering.