'Collaborative consumption': how learning to share can benefit us and the plant.

‘Collaborative consumption’ , ‘sharing economy’, ‘peer-to-peer economy’, the concept has many names but the benefits are universally recognized. Sharing resources and services has a positive impact not only on our planet but for each of us, economically and socially. While companies are throwing around trendy ‘sharing’ and ‘collaborative’ terminology more than ever, true ‘collaborative consumption’ is rooted in a peer-to-peer model that allows for sharing, bartering, lending, renting, and/or collaborating. This trend moves away from the traditional producer-consumer relationship, which tends to disempower the consumer, to a model that gives power to the local, personal, and individual. According to Belk (1988), symbolic meaning has been attached to material items that one purchases/consumes to suggest status and identity. The growing ‘collaborative consumption’ trend implies that a change in both what we consume and how we consume is occurring. Individuals are seemingly placing more value on the functionality of items rather than what they mean or represent. However, as reviewed in my minimalism post, the Great Recession has ignited the need to sacrifice and restrict, and this can be linked to this shift in mentality around how we consume goods/services.

Regardless, the benefits are clear - sharing means less resources used, less waste, shared expenses, more connecting and socializing, and more time saved. The ‘cost’ of purchasing goods/services does not fall on one, but is divided among many. It is also convenient. One can be instantly linked to others through technology - whether it’s an app for sharing, swapping, or renting clothing (Poshmark, Vinted, and Rentherunway), sharing leftover food (it’s a thing! OLIO and leftoverswap), sharing sports gear (Spinlister), or ride sharing (Turo, BlahBlahCar), there are so many options out there! Before you think of running to the closest fast fashion shop, a restaurant for a quick meal, or buying equipment/goods that will be used infrequently, perhaps stop and consider your community/online resources. You may be able to find what you need with a reduced environmental impact and a huge cost savings! Also consider any goods or services you can offer - those items wasting away in your closet may be urgently needed by someone else, or you may have useful skills to share/barter.