Freegans live a lifestyle with minimal environmental and economic impact, scavenging usable goods from dumpsters and occupying empty buildings. They reject capitalism and strive to reduce their ecological footprint while contributing to their community. Many are vegan, but not all.
A freegan is someone who has chosen to live a lifestyle that has minimal environmental and economic impact. The word is a portmanteau of “free” and “vegan,” as much of the philosophy behind freeganism is similar to that of veganism, although a freegan tends to be more extreme than a vegan. While the term integrates the word “vegan,” not all freegans are vegans, although many choose to be vegan because they were originally vegans and are not interested in consuming animal products. According to the freegan ethic, every human being has a responsibility to live a life that reduces the exploitation of animals, natural resources and other people. While many vegans agree with this, freegans argue that veganism doesn’t go far enough and that a purely vegan diet can still be harmful. Most freegans reject capitalist systems as part of this ethic, because they believe capitalism is inherently exploitative.
A number of practices are incorporated into a freegan lifestyle. The cornerstone of life for most freegans is waste clearing or urban foraging. Especially in capitalist societies that are driven to purchase consumer goods, large quantities of goods are discarded every day. Freegans scavenge dumpsters to salvage usable goods including food, electronics, clothing, furniture, books, personal care items, and other useful things. Freegans who choose to eat animal products scavenge them from dumpsters, arguing that food should be eaten, rather than wasted. Some freegan collectives also form relationships with supermarkets and other stores and collect products that are about to be discarded before they even end up in the dumpster.
Most freegans live in collectives or groups so they can share resources and skills. The Freegan community in general is very supportive, and Freegans will help each other in times of need with shelter, supplies, food, or just plain companionship. As a collective, freegans can also be more efficient and can work together to create community gardens, organize free exchange meetings, and participate in other collective tasks. In many urban areas, freegan swap meets can provide fertile ground for usable goods and are a great way to complement waste remediation practices.
In addition to trying to get most of their goods for free to avoid supporting capitalist economic systems, freegans also try to minimize their ecological footprint on the world in other ways. Many freegans occupy empty buildings, rather than contribute to the housing market, and large collectives often make substantial improvements to abandoned structures. Freegans also prefer cycling, walking and using public transport in their own vehicles. Due to the collective and supportive nature of the freegan community, many areas with large freegan populations also have large numbers of freegan-supported community services such as health clinics and educational collectives. Many freegans also choose not to have a job, because they believe that working within a capitalist framework also contributes to their longevity.
The main goal for most members of the freegan community is to live a lifestyle without any negative impact while also contributing to the community at large. Many Freegans start out small, or integrate only a few Freegan values into their lives rather than convert entirely. In the eyes of the freegan community, even small actions can have a big impact, and most people who are just starting to explore freeganism are welcome.
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