"Terms like 'curb alert' or 'first come first serve' are discouraged. You are not putting your stuff on the street hoping someone claims it..."

"... before the trash truck comes. Instead, you are intentionally 'gifting' your possessions.... [M]embers are not allowed to trade or barter, as each object is seen as a gift independent of anything else.... The giver is encouraged to let an offer 'simmer' for a period of time, selecting a recipient for some reason other than being the fastest one to reply. Members who raise their hands ask to 'be considered,' and may offer a compelling reason for wanting, say, a table lamp. Or maybe they’re asked to tell a joke, or pick a number, and a winner is chosen.... Ms. Lightman... has given.... a fish taco that she ordered but did not eat, and dirty water from her 30-gallon fish tank. Her husband doubted that anyone would want dirty fish water. But he was quickly proved wrong, as the nutrient-rich brew makes for excellent fertilizer."

 
From "Inside the World of Buy Nothing, Where Dryer Lint Is a Hot Commodity/From medical supplies to half-eaten birthday cakes, Buy Nothing is fostering a quirky sense of community that is mostly fun and occasionally irritating" (NYT).