Buy Nothing in AUCA on February 20th. 7 questions about the event

February 7, 2023

#CCE

On February 20, from 12:00 to 14:00, the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) will host the 3rd Buy Nothing: a socio-ecological event, a free gift fair, and exchange of clothes and books within the framework of the initiative "Buy nothing Bishkek!". This time the Buy Nothing is held jointly with the AUCA Innovation College. The organizer of the event is the Center for Civic Engagement.

Everyone can bring things for exchange in advance to AUCA or immediately to the event. Bring any items you don't need to the fair (but in a good condition!) with the possibility to exchange them for the things you like from other participants.

How does the event go?

You can exchange items with other participants of the fair directly. You can get help from our volunteers who will keep a record of the items you brought and help with the exchange/purchase of the items.

What can I bring to the fair?

Anything. The main thing is that items should be clean, and in good condition (without stains, not torn). If it is an appliance or a gadget, then it should be in working condition.

The items include clothes, shoes, hats, various accessories and jewelry, books, household items (paintings, vases, kitchen utensils, dishes, etc.), toys, board games, etc.

How many items can I take from this fair?

For example, if you brought 5 items with you to the gift market, you can take 5 items from another participant.  Our volunteers from the AUCA Green Club will help you coordinate.

What if I didn't bring my items to the Buy Nothing? Will I be able to take part in it?

Of course, in any case, come to the Buy Nothing! Even if you have not brought anything for exchange, you can always buy the thing you like at a very pleasant price - at a reduced cost (from 50 to 500 soms, maximum - 1000 soms).

Darmarka is not a commercial event, but a socio-ecological one.

Its main goal is to prolong the life of things with new owners, to promote a more conscious attitude to shopping, to interior and household items, and to your wardrobe. The thing that you no longer need may be valuable to another person. By exchanging things, we help to reduce people’s need for constant purchases.

Where can I bring things in advance?

Students, teachers, and staff of AUCA can leave items, starting from February 7 to February 20 at the Forum, in a special box marked “Buy Nothing” / “дармарка”. Or bring things to the event itself on February 20 by 12:00.

When dropping off your things, please bring them in a bag and put a piece of paper with your contact details in it: full name, faculty/department, position (student/teacher/employee), and phone number. (This is necessary for keeping the record, as well as so that you can then get the things you liked from other participants)

Where will the funds collected during the Buy Nothing go?

Buy Nothing is a charity event. The funds collected from selling things will go to charity (The Bishkek city boarding house for the elderly).

What will happen to the remaining things that were not taken?

The things and items that remained unselected at the end of the event will be donated to the ones in need (to a nursing home, an orphanage, a shelter, etc.).

Read more about the initiative "Buy nothing!"

“Buy nothing" is a unique international project aimed at popularizing and spreading the practice

of upcycling, redistributive justice, and minimizing the anthropogenic impact on the environment.

This project in Bishkek was initiated by the local community to share resources. The initiative group invites the residents of Bishkek to gift items and things that they no longer need, receiving the items that they want as a gift. Let things get a new life with new owners! The project was initiated by Olga Tarabashkina, a lecturer at the AUCA Department of Sociology.

Donating items is one of the types of sustainable (environmentally friendly) behavior. People get the things they like and need for free, as a gift. Remember: things that you no longer need may be valuable to others.

This helps to reduce the level of consumption and accumulation of garbage in the environment, giving us the opportunity to enjoy clean and beautiful nature. Thus, the participants of the initiative make their contribution to the protection of the environment.

The initiative "Buy Nothing Bishkek" has a Facebook page where you can post information about items in your household that you are ready to give to those who need these items. And vice versa, you can submit a request to receive those items that other participants have posted information about.

<< go to news list