Borrow, share and rent instead of buying

The average power drill is used for around 15 minutes in its entire lifetime. The average ladder sits unused for years between jobs. Sharing these things makes obvious sense — and it turns out there are more ways to do it than most people realise.

Why borrowing beats buying for some things

Every product you borrow instead of buy saves the resources needed to make it, the packaging to ship it, the energy to power it during manufacture, and eventually the problem of disposing of it. You also save the money, and the storage space.

The environmental case is strongest for things that are used rarely. If twenty households each own a ladder they use twice a year, that's twenty ladders in twenty garages. Two shared ladders would serve the same twenty households and free up nineteen sets of storage space, raw materials and manufacturing energy.

The financial case is also often clear. For a tool you'll use twice, the cost of renting is nearly always less than buying — especially when you factor in the purchase price, any maintenance, and the fact that you'll probably replace it when a better model comes along.

What's worth borrowing, renting or sharing

Good candidates are things used infrequently, things that are expensive relative to use, things that take up significant storage space, and things that go out of fashion or relevance quickly:

• Tools and DIY equipment: power drills, jigsaws, sanders, circular saws, tile cutters, pressure washers
• Ladders and scaffolding
• Garden equipment: hedge trimmers, rotavators, aerators, pressure sprayers
• Party and event gear: folding tables, chairs, gazebos, catering equipment, projectors
• Camping and outdoor gear: tents, sleeping bags, portable stoves, kayaks, bikes
• Formalwear: suits, dresses and outfits worn for specific events
• Baby and toddler gear: pushchairs, car seats, bouncers, activity tables — used for a short window and often expensive
• Books (and audiobooks, films) — public libraries do this already
• Cars: if you drive infrequently, a car club is often cheaper than ownership
• Specialist kitchen equipment: pasta machines, bread makers, ice cream churns, jam-making kit

Where to find sharing options

• Library of things: community-run libraries that lend physical objects, often for a small annual fee or per-loan charge. Search online for "library of things" plus your town or city. There are also directories of known libraries (the Share Reuse Repair Index in the UK, for example).
• Tool libraries: a subset of libraries of things, focused on tools. Many makerspaces and community workshops also lend tools to members.
• Public libraries: beyond books, many public libraries lend seeds, art supplies, musical instruments, board games and more — worth checking what's available locally.
• Buy Nothing and Freecycle groups: neighbourhood groups (often on Facebook, Nextdoor or dedicated apps) where people offer and request items for free. Great for borrowing from neighbours informally.
• Peer-to-peer rental apps: platforms where individuals rent things out to others. Available in many countries for tools, cameras, sports equipment and more — check what operates in your area.
• Car clubs: membership-based schemes where you book a car by the hour or day. Common in cities. Zipcar, GreenGo, Co-Wheels and others operate in various countries. See our guide to car-free and car-light living.
• Friends and neighbours: the most accessible source of all. If you need something once, it's always worth asking around before buying or renting through a formal service.

How to borrow instead of buying: step by step

1. Pause before you buy. When you need something, ask yourself: will I use this more than a dozen times a year? If not, borrowing or renting is probably the better move.
2. Check your network first. Post in your neighbourhood group, send a message to friends, or simply knock on a neighbour's door. Many people are happy to lend things they're not using.
3. Search for a library of things or tool library. Many towns and cities have one. Membership is usually cheap and covers a wide range of equipment.
4. Look at peer rental platforms. For specialist items not available locally, apps and websites connect you with individuals renting things out nearby.
5. Book promptly and be specific about timing. Confirm when you need the item and when you'll return it. Clarity prevents misunderstandings.
6. Return clean, on time and in good condition. This is the foundation of trust that makes sharing work. If something breaks, communicate honestly and promptly.

Lending your own stuff

Lending builds goodwill and creates reciprocity — the neighbour who borrows your drill is far more likely to lend you their steam cleaner. A few things that make it work smoothly:

• Be clear about terms upfront: when you need it back, how it should be cleaned, whether you charge anything.
• Only lend things you'd be comfortable losing or having damaged. If you'd be genuinely upset if it broke, it's fine to say it's not available for lending.
• Keep a simple note of what you've lent and to whom — easy to forget, easy to lose track.
• Start with low-stakes items if you're new to lending to someone — build trust before handing over expensive equipment.

Host or start a swap or share event locally

If there's no library of things in your area, a small community swap event is easy to organise. Set a date and venue, invite people to bring things to swap or lend, and keep it relaxed. Even a one-off event among a dozen households can redirect dozens of items from being purchased new. Our community guide has more ideas for getting neighbours involved. See also our guide to decluttering sustainably — decluttering and sharing naturally go together.

Sharing checklist

• Next time you need something infrequently used, check your network before buying.
• Find your nearest library of things or tool library and check the membership cost.
• Join a local Buy Nothing or Freecycle group.
• Identify a few things you own and rarely use that you'd be happy to lend out.
• If you drive infrequently, look up car club options in your area.
• Return everything clean, on time and in the condition you found it.