Climate change awareness in 2021
2021 was a year where the conversation around climate change significantly increased. The record-breaking floods, wildfires and even the sea on fire this year has put climate change at the forefront of many people’s conversations. Nations across the world are starting to take action and with COP26 this year regularly making headline news, the general public awareness of the subject matter has continued to grow.
Oxford English Dictionary adding words such as ‘climate catastrophe’, ‘net zero’ and ‘eco anxiety’ demonstrates how climate change really was a big topic of 2021. Not only this, but the World Meteorological Organisation stated in June that “2021 is a make-or-break year for climate action”. So with that in mind, we’re going to breakdown what the sharing economy is and how it can help, while recommending a few companies that are championing the sharing mindset!
What does sharing economy mean?
The Oxford English definition of the term ‘sharing economy’ is an economic system in which assets or services are shared between private individuals, either free or for a fee, typically by means of the internet.
By sharing clothes, cars, objects, houses and many more things that already exist, we can get by without having to personally own everything we need. Think of it like you popping over to your neighbours to borrow their drill when you don’t own one yourself and you need it just the once. That makes much more sense than going to buy a new one for a one-off use. That’s basically what the sharing economy is, but with technology we can now share with others across the world!
How can sharing make a difference?
In short, sharing makes use of assets that already exist, which reduces private ownership and waste. It allows us to reuse objects, cars, clothes etc and prevents individuals needing to buy and own everything personally.
“Powered by a wave of recognition for a more sustainable way of living, people are also recognising the cost savings and new opportunities that utilising sharing platforms open up. The huge challenge brought about by climate change can seem simply too big for individual people to tackle alone. Sharing platforms enable this. Whether it's a journey shared or an item rented, you become part of the mass movement of people taking action and making a visible difference.” - Juliet Eccleston, Sharing Economy UK
How can I get involved in 2022?
You might not have realised, but if you’ve gone on holiday and stayed in an AirBnb, then you’re already getting involved! AirBnb allows people to open their homes up to others for sharing, which is exactly what the sharing economy is all about. We want to encourage more people to switch to the sharing mindset in 2022, whether you’re someone who is up for sharing your belongings, or someone who is ready to make use of others. This is why we’ve rounded up just a few of our favourite sharing companies that we’d like to highlight for 2022....
Renting clothes
Fast fashion has huge environmental impacts, with around 300,000 tonnes of used clothes being burned or buried in landfill each year. So when it comes to a special occasion and you really fancy wearing something you’ve not worn before, why not look towards renting an item of clothing instead?
By Rotation
By Rotation is a clothes sharing platform which allows you to rent garments from other people's wardrobes. Much like us, By Rotation don’t buy any inventory to add to their platform, meaning they’re not adding more items to circulation. This is why they’re one our top recommendations when looking to rent some statement pieces you can wear and return, keeping your wardrobe fresh and the clothes in circulation.
Bundlee
Bundlee is the UK’s first baby clothing rental subscription. When you rent with Bundlee, you know that the clothes your baby outgrows will be passed on and used by another family. Better yet, you can continue to swap clothes as your baby grows!
Rentals for getaways
If you’re looking for a getaway, we’ve got a couple of recommendations for you, aside from the obvious holiday home rental service - AirBnb!
Camptoo
Very similar to sharing your car, Camptoo allows people to share and rent campervans! This is ideal for people looking to use a campervan or motorhomes for their trip. Their goal is to let people share the joy and fun of travelling with a motorhome or caravan at their own pace without having to purchase one.
Tentshare
Ever fancied a camping trip and been taken aback by how much it costs to purchase a large tent? Or perhaps you went camping once and the fancy tent you bought has been sat in your house untouched ever since... well Tentshare is just right for you. It’s exactly the same as Karshare, but for tents!
Renting items
RentMy
From tools, to drones, to bikes and much more - RentMy has it covered. This is the perfect site for when you need to temporarily use an item, which removes the need of purchasing one and allows you to return it once you’re finished using it.
Circular Arts Network
Aimed specifically at those looking for equipment within the arts, Circular Arts Network is a platform where you can donate, buy or share art related equipment. It’s a great place to redistribute spare or unneeded resources and save waste. It’s also more cost efficient for the buyer/renter, as a lot of the equipment is often expensive when bought new but can be found here at really reasonable prices.
Sharing cars and lifts
Liftshare
Liftshare brings together people who are travelling in the same direction. Users can search and find others who are driving the same route as them, and this gives them the option to join in on the car ride!
Karshare
We’ll keep this one brief, but it’s here as a reminder that sharing your car or renting cars from those who are sharing theirs is a fantastic way to reduce carbon emissions. It reduces the number of cars on the road and means you’re not contributing to the production of newer vehicles. If you want to find out more, then you can visit our sustainability page here.
See what’s going on locally
Finally, ask around and have a browse to see what’s going on in your local communities. There are many amazing organisations set up specifically for people who live closeby. Take for instance Share Bristol: A library of things or Library of things, places where you can borrow items you need for your everyday life. Not only is this more environmentally friendly, but it’s a cost effective way of utilising existing items without having to break the bank.
Here’s to 2022
With a New Year comes a fresh start, and it’s time that we shift our mindsets to adopt sharing assets as a more recognised concept. If you own a car and would like to get involved with our mission to utilise existing cars, then please get in touch today and we’d love to speak to you. Alternatively, if you’re looking to rent a car then think twice before opting for a traditional car rental company, and try making use of the cars nearby!
