Freecycling activity trends

June 30, 2009

We examined the activity levels on a sample of FullCircles and Freecycle groups across Canada and one of the older, larger American groups to see if we could identify any trends.

The first location we looked at was Ottawa, Canada...

Activity levels are declining in Ottawa since the peak year, 2006

Ottawa, Canada - 2004 to 2009

Combined Ottawa FullCircles AND Ottawa Freecycle Activity. In 2009, even combined, the two groups have only generated 74% of the traffic of the peak levels of 2006.

Same trend in Edmonton.  Activity levels are declining despite growing membership.  

Combined membership of Edmonton Earthcycle and Edmonton Freecycle is 19,930 as at June 30, 2009.

Edmonton Earthcycle and Edmonton Freecycle

Edmonton Earthcycle and Edmonton Freecycle (created in 2007). In 2009, combined, they generate only 64% of the peak levels of 2005.

London Ontario FullCircles & Freecycle

London FullCircles and London Freecycle. Combined, they generate 79% of the levels of 2006, the peak year so far.

We also looked at one large group in the USA, the Portland, Oregon group.

At 36,000+ members, it is one of the largest groups in the world.  

Here are the results.

Portland, Oregon Freecycle

Portland Freecycle--despite growing to 36,000+ members--has declining activity levels. 2009 is at just 58% of the peak levels of 2004, even more dramatic than the Canadian groups.

Like these graphics?

They are simple to create using Google Docs and the publicly available data on the front page of every Yahoo! Group.

If you'd like to learn how to create one for your group, just call me, or drop me a note at:  

EGS@FullCircles.org(613) 688-1570

Eric SnyderOttawa, CanadaJune 30, 2009