Many of us find our homes become cluttered with things we no longer use or want - but some are giving these items a new lease on life through social media, gifting things they no longer use to strangers in their local communities.

The Buy Nothing Project started in the United States in 2013 and has spread around the globe, with more than 300,000 participants joining up through Facebook groups.

It encourages people to donate unwanted books, clothes, toys, plants, furniture - anything that is not being used - by giving them away for free to local people through social media.

Jem Plaisted made the decision to join her local group because she wanted to reduce waste and build ties with her community after recently downsizing the family home.

"When we moved, I passed on a lot of homewares and furniture, it was a good way to pass on things we weren't using anymore," she said.

"I hate chucking things away so it's all about 'who needs what I don't need?'

"We were fairly new the area and I thought it was a great way to be a part of something and the community.

"Community ... is becoming more and more important as we build these tall fences and we get scared and stay at home - we're in this world wide web land but we are insular."

Mental health benefits

Ms Plaisted said becoming an invested part of a community, even a largely virtual one, had improved her mental health.

"I've struggled with depression and anxiety for 10 years and I really think that whole act, belong, commit thing is scientifically proven that it helps mental health - be active, belong to something and commit to something you believe in," she said.

Ali Oddy donated 650 bread rolls to a homeless charity through the Buy Nothing Project. ( Supplied: Ali Oddy )

"Being part of a community for me is part of my mental health plan."

Mick Weir is an environmental scientist and wanted to reduce wastage and connect with his neighbours.

"I'm an environmental scientist by education and career so I've always had that reuse/recycle mindset," he said.

Mr Weir learned about the project through a friend and set up a Facebook group for his local community which he said was bringing local people together.

"We often don't even know everyone living within 50 metres of us. Gifting is a means of facilitating this connection," he said.

The Buy Nothing Project has two rules: post anything you would like to give away, lend, or share with your neighbours and ask for anything you would like to receive for free or borrow.

The project has also been used by people wanting to donate to charities and other organisations which support vulnerable communities.

'I get to meet my neighbours'

Ali Oddy has been a member of the Buy Nothing Project for three months and has given away more than 40 items.

She recently gave more than 500 hotdog buns left over from a Bunnings sausage sizzle to the homeless charity Manna Inc.

"It was a unanimous decision after our fundraiser to donate the remaining food to a charity that helps the homeless and vulnerable," she said.

Ms Oddy has been volunteering since she was 12 and was drawn to the idea of meeting people locally.

"I get to meet my neighbours and build links with my local community. There have been a few times now that I recognise a friendly face, rather than just walking past a stranger at a bus stop," she said.

Mr Weir said while people were looking to save money or reduce waste, the project was also about building a connection with people on the other side of the fence.

"It's not really about the items - it's more about the connection with neighbours that is lacking in modern living," he said.

Ms Plaisted said it helped people understanding the true value of "stuff".

"We are so used to thinking that everything has a price - it doesn't always have a price - sometimes it is just out of love," she said.