Freecycle may sound like Boris’ latest hair-brained scheme to get us on our bikes, but, in reality, it is an online network that matches people who have stuff they no longer want with those who could use it. In the case of Daniel Cook, this has meant being able to furnish his empty studio apartment in Stoke Newington for “next to nothing”.

Taking me back to the beginning at the start of July, Dan, who works for Hackney Council, explains that what began as a pub chat with flatmate Tim Giles about their lack of funds and furniture soon developed into a bona fide “mission” to complete the project without parting with their hard-earned cash. The pair subsequently signed up to the relevant Freecycle London groups (there are 4,786 groups arranged by location and 7,166,533 members across the globe) and waited for the email notifications to roll in.

“We have become quite obsessed on not spending any money on anything,” Dan divulges. “We will be driving out in the van to collect Freecycle items and staring into skips looking for wood. It is taking over a little bit, we work most evenings and weekends. To date, to get the apartment how we have it now, we have spent £80 each, which is about 95 per cent free, and it’s fully kitted out.”

It’s an impressive turn-around. Two large sofas surround an expensive-looking dark wood coffee table, cabinets and shelves line the walls. What looks like a brand new fridge/freezer stands adjacent to the DIY sink, a stainless steel kitchen unit adds a modern edge to the shabby chic look. And is that a six-hob free-range Smeg oven I see in the corner?

“It was bought new for £1,400,” the 26-year-old proudly reveals. “We got lucky with that one, the owners were moving out and they didn’t have room for it in their new place, so we got it totally free.”

Of course, there is still the odd essential the boys are missing.

“It’s kind of like waiting for your lottery numbers to come up,” Dan says of the Freecycle game. “At the moment we are looking for a washing machine, so we just sit there all day by our laptops waiting for the email to come in. It operates on a first come, first serve basis, so you have to be quick to reply. But at some point we are going to have to bite the bullet and fork out for a washing machine. I don’t think my girlfriend is going to wash my socks forever!”

But, before you dive head first into your first Freecycle project take heed of these warnings. Firstly, you need a van and petrol money; secondly, it’s time consuming; and thirdly, it will only work with a bit of give and take.

“You can see the popularity increasing day by day,” Dan observes. “I guess the danger is that less people are giving and more taking. It’s like supply and demand, too few goods and too many people. We try and put things on ourselves, and once we upgrade and buy new things for the apartment we will put things on there, so somebody else can benefit. It’s a big merry-go-round of second-hand furniture.”

Ultimately, Freecycle is a grassroots, non-profit movement, that rejects waste and consumerism and survives on the altruistic notion that if you don’t want something, you can help your neighbours by giving it away for free. So, next time you give your living room a make-over or update your TV, rather than taking it to the dump, why not Freecycle!

For more information visit: www.uk.freecycle.org