Build Community, Save Cash, and Reduce Waste: The New Sharing Economy
On a single planet with well over seven billion people, we simply don’t have the raw materials for everyone to own one of everything. Enter Collaborative Consumption, the hot new eco-term for something we all learned to do a long time ago: to share.
There are many ways you’re already sharing if you’ve ever shopped at a local thrift store, traded on Craigslist, checked out a book at the library, or just borrowed a ladder from your neighbor. But thanks to social networking technologies, a rising need for community, environmental consciousness, and old-fashioned frugality, sharing is taking off in a new way and redefining our consumption-driven economy.
Apps and Online Tools to Help You Rent Instead of Buy, Sell Instead of Trash, and Buy Used Instead of New
There are tons of services and sites out there to help you share, lend, borrow, barter, discover, connect—and more. Here is a list of our favorites.
And, of course, share what you find with your friends!
Find Gently Used Treasures Locally
- Your local public library: Still a great place to borrow books, DVDs, CDs, and more.
- Craigslist: Online local classifieds for items, jobs, and more.
- Nextdoor.com: Site and app where neighbors share updates and information about their communities, including garage sales, items for sale, free items on the curb, etc.
- Facebook Marketplace: Scroll used items for sale and for free in your neighborhood, city, or region.
Clothing, Shoes, and Accessories
- Poshmark: A fun and simple way to buy and sell an array of products including clothing, accessories, housewares, party favors, and home storage items. Purchase directly from the seller and bid on popular items.
- ThredUP: Search an extensive catalog of womens clothing and accessories by size, color, style, and more; fourteen-day try-before-you-buy period.
- Wardrobe: Swap, exchange, or buy unlimited fashions.
- Patagonia Worn Wear: Buy or sell reusable Patagonia clothing.
- Bag Borrow or Steal: Rent handbags, jewelry, and more for a week or a season.
- Rent the Runway: Dresses and accessories for rent.
Art
- TurningArt: Try out, rent, or even buy independent art.
Books, Textbooks, and Games
- PaperBackSwap: Trade paperbacks, audio books, textbooks, hardcover books, and more.
- Chegg: Buy, sell, and rent textbooks.
- CampusBookRentals: Buy, sell, and rent textbooks.
- Pleygo: A Netflix–like service for Legos and other toys for kids of all ages.
Anything and Everything
- Couchsurfing: Find or post a place to stay or a local experience.
- Airbnb: Find a place to stay or rent out extra space worldwide.
- Swap: Post, browse, and trade just about anything.
- Neighborgoods: Share stuff with neighbors and friends in your area.
- Skillshare: Learn from experts in your community and share your own knowledge and skills.