About Maine Nugs
A free, community-powered swap shop for Maine — every listing is a nugget of good for your community and the planet.
Our Story
For over fifty years, Mainers had a simple, beloved way to buy, sell, and trade with their neighbors — a weekly classifieds publication where anyone could post a 30-word ad, free of charge. When that tradition ended in 2024, it left a hole in how Maine communities connect.
Maine Nugs was born to fill that gap — and then some. We honor the simplicity and neighborliness of the old ways while adding something new: every listing is a "nug" — a nugget of good connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, tracking the real impact of keeping goods in circulation instead of sending them to landfills.
We believe that when a table saw in Skowhegan finds a new home in Farmington, or when free firewood in Franklin County goes to a family that needs it, that's not just a transaction — it's community in action.
What We Stand For
Circular Economy
Every item reused is one fewer item manufactured, shipped, and landfilled. We track real impact through UN SDG alignment.
Community First
No algorithms deciding what you see. No fees. No middlemen. Just neighbors helping neighbors, like it's always been in Maine.
Hyper-Local
Built for Maine's 16 counties and 400+ towns. From Kittery to Fort Kent, Eastport to Fryeburg.
Accessibility
Volunteer drivers help elderly, disabled, and veteran community members with pickups and deliveries. Nobody gets left out.
Glocal Impact
Think globally, act locally. Every local trade contributes to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Free, Always
Posting a listing is free. Browsing is free. There are no premium tiers, no promoted listings, no catch.
Who Built This?
Chris Edwards
Solo Founder & Builder
Maine Nugs was built from scratch by one person — a climate-focused product manager, Climatebase Cohort 8 Fellow, and new dad based in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. No venture funding, no team of twelve, no AI hype deck. Just a laptop, a mission to do good, and a lot of late nights while expecting a baby.
The goal is simple: build tools that help Maine communities keep stuff out of landfills, support the circular economy, and connect neighbors the way it used to work — honestly, locally, and for free. Every feature on this site — from banned item detection to recyclable redirect prompts to volunteer driver coordination — was designed, coded, and shipped solo.
“If one person can build something that helps a whole community, imagine what a whole community can do.”
.eco Verified
sustainable207.eco is a verified member of the .eco community — a global network committed to positive environmental change.
Our .eco Profile
View our verified sustainability commitments, SDG engagement, and environmental pledge on the .eco registry.
View .eco ProfileOur .eco Pledge
“I pledge to support positive change for the planet and to be honest when sharing information on environmental actions.”
Environmental Commitments
- Supporting climate resilience planning for Maine communities
- Tracking real impact through UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Promoting responsible consumption and circular economy practices
- Keeping goods in circulation — out of landfills, into neighbors' hands
- Volunteer transport network for accessible, low-carbon delivery
Ready to join?
Your neighbors are already here. Post a listing, browse what's available, or sign up to volunteer.