Today, I want to talk about sharing what you have. Sharing is a big element of sustainability, whether it’s knowledge, food, time or anything else.

Some huge examples of sharing economy businesses are Airbnb, Uber and Spotify.

For this article, I want to talk about sharing things you have that you might not use a lot. How many hedge trimmers must there be in sheds across the country, that mostly sit unused?!

Why is sharing so good? It stops us buying so much and less goes to landfill, reducing our carbon footprints. 

Sharing also saves us money (sometimes earns a few quid too!), and it builds community. It’s a win-win-win!!

There are lots of local organisations to help people share. The newest one in North Herts is the Letchworth Garden Shed, a library of things, where you pay a £10 annual fee and then a small additional charge to rent an item. 

They have all sorts of things, including craft equipment, a pressure hose, portable solar panels and much much more. 

Check out their website for more info. www.letchworthgardenshed.com.

Another great organisation is Tent Share, based in Royston, where you can list your tent when you’re not using it, so someone else can rent it from you. 

It’s a nationwide platform, with tents available across the UK. Your item gets more use and you make a bit of cash from it. 

Not sure you’ll like camping? Rent your tent rather than buy one you’ll may only use once!

Child doing Duke Of Edinburgh? Rent their kit instead of buying it. You’ll save a fortune! www.tentshare.co.uk. (For campervans, try Camplify.)

New baby? Are you considering reusable nappies? Well, try before you buy (and it’s perfectly hygienic!). Cloth Bums CIC is a not for profit based in North Herts where you can try different types of reusable nappies (and associated bits and bobs) before you buy. 

Often, you can only buy these things online so it’s hard to tell which one will be best for you and your baby.

Cloth Bums helps you make the right decision with no pressure! www.clothbums.co.uk.

But you don’t just have to use organisations to share. Why not use your street whatsapp group to start offering out items to each other.

Or agree among family and friends to buy items between you? In my family, we share the carpet cleaner, for example!! 

Just remember, it’s your responsibility to hand your borrowed item back in the condition it was given. 

Sharing is about respecting each others’ things!!

If you want to know more about local organisations doing sustainable things, keep an eye on my Instagram @sust.consulting. 

I do regular features on great things happening in our area!