6 Ways Sharing With Neighbours Helps Save Money & the Environment
From tool libraries to community gardens, there are lots of ways communities can band together and do some good
Houzz AU
16 June 2022
It is community that has gotten us through the crises of the past few years, and continues to do so. Whether it’s pooling grocery shopping for vulnerable family and isolating neighbours in the pandemic, gathering essentials for flood- or fire-affected households, or sharing tips for coping with challenges in online groups or Houzz discussions, we’ve learnt to lean on others and offer our support.
There are lots of ways to extend this community spirit past the crises and into every day. Why not pool resources with your neighbours or share tasks around the home and garden? As an added benefit, sharing is more sustainable as it reduces the number of new products manufactured and saves you money, too.
There are lots of ways to extend this community spirit past the crises and into every day. Why not pool resources with your neighbours or share tasks around the home and garden? As an added benefit, sharing is more sustainable as it reduces the number of new products manufactured and saves you money, too.
1. Tool libraries
Little free libraries have been all the rage over the past decade, but why not do the same with tools? Particularly useful in the case of bulky, expensive, or rarely needed gadgets, community ownership can reduce costs for everyone and lessen the strain on the environment. Everything from garden tools to home-maintenance equipment to fancy kitchen gadgets can be shared.
Prefer to outsource your home maintenance to the experts? You can find tradespeople and every design and renovation professional near you on Houzz
Little free libraries have been all the rage over the past decade, but why not do the same with tools? Particularly useful in the case of bulky, expensive, or rarely needed gadgets, community ownership can reduce costs for everyone and lessen the strain on the environment. Everything from garden tools to home-maintenance equipment to fancy kitchen gadgets can be shared.
Prefer to outsource your home maintenance to the experts? You can find tradespeople and every design and renovation professional near you on Houzz
2. Toy and nappy libraries
In neighbourhoods with lots of children, using the same collective system to share toys or resources is a great way to offset part of the expense. Nappy libraries, where parents can try out different styles of cloth nappies, also help promote sustainable lifestyles.
In neighbourhoods with lots of children, using the same collective system to share toys or resources is a great way to offset part of the expense. Nappy libraries, where parents can try out different styles of cloth nappies, also help promote sustainable lifestyles.
3. Food collectives
Food collectives or mutual buying schemes are a way to bring fresh, healthy and affordable food to your community by buying produce in bulk. This can take the form of community-run grocery stores or more informal schemes.
Food collectives or mutual buying schemes are a way to bring fresh, healthy and affordable food to your community by buying produce in bulk. This can take the form of community-run grocery stores or more informal schemes.
4. Social media swaps
Looking for dining chairs? Don’t need that TV unit any more? Neighbourhood swap groups are a great way to give unwanted belongings a new life instead of sending them to landfill, and to sustainably source the things you need.
Browse more contemporary Australian living rooms for inspiration
Looking for dining chairs? Don’t need that TV unit any more? Neighbourhood swap groups are a great way to give unwanted belongings a new life instead of sending them to landfill, and to sustainably source the things you need.
Browse more contemporary Australian living rooms for inspiration
6. Common space
It’s not just about gardens, either. There are all kinds of ways to maximise community space. If by-laws and community rules permit, why not turn a rooftop into a space to relax together or an outdoor common area into a shared zone to get to know your neighbours?
It’s not just about gardens, either. There are all kinds of ways to maximise community space. If by-laws and community rules permit, why not turn a rooftop into a space to relax together or an outdoor common area into a shared zone to get to know your neighbours?
You may even be tempted to take it one step further and turn a suitable room or outdoor area into a community performance and rehearsal space, as in this co-living home in Germany.
Your turn
Do you or your neighbours have a sharing system? Tell us what works in your community. And if you enjoy this story, like it, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Ready for your next read? Don’t miss Made Local: The Fiery Creation of a Cast-Iron Skillet
Your turn
Do you or your neighbours have a sharing system? Tell us what works in your community. And if you enjoy this story, like it, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Ready for your next read? Don’t miss Made Local: The Fiery Creation of a Cast-Iron Skillet
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Made Local
Made Local: How Dulux Colour Trends Are Born
Ever wondered how Dulux sees into the future to know the colours we'll be coveting in the year ahead? Here, we find out
Full Story
Design Features
Made Local: Your Cup of Coffee From Tree to Takeaway
From crop to the cup you raise to your lips, we follow the journey of Australian-produced artisanal coffee
Full Story
Picture Perfect
22 Home Workout Spaces to Get Your Sweat On
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Lifestyle
7 Clever New Ideas to Make Your Home Life Easier
Looking to ease the pressure of the day-to-day management of your home? These ideas can help
Full Story
Home Time
4 Ways to Set Up Your Home to Reduce Stress Today
How to organise your rooms and spaces to work, exercise and relax at home during the pandemic
Full Story
Home Time
5 More Fixes for Common (and Annoying) Problems Around the House
In the second of a two-part series, experts share their tricks of the trade for repairing five pesky problems at home
Full Story
Home Time
5 Pesky Problems Around the House and How to Fix Them
Mouldy spots on the wall, a slow-draining sink – here are 5 common issues homeowners face and how to fix them
Full Story
Lifestyle
Expert Opinion: How to Sleep in a Heatwave
Struggling to get some shut-eye during the heat? Here's how to up your chances of falling – and staying – asleep
Full Story
Outdoors
Safe and Sound: 11 Ways to Protect Native Wildlife in Your Garden
Do you share your backyard with native wildlife? Here are 11 ways to keep them safe from danger
Full Story
The sharing app ’olio’ has a section called ’Borrow’ where you can lend out your tools locally. It also lets you give away or pick up stuff - furniture or food.
Thanks.
Our old red phone box houses the village book swap and fibrilator! It’s a very useful resource