“The Basic Principle of Shared Economy: Unused Value = Wasted Value.”
We’ve all grown up with the phrase “sharing is caring.” This adage rings truer than ever before. With precious resources becoming less, scarce, or down-right extinct – there’s an idea that’s gaining traction and changing lives: “sharing economy.”
As the name suggests, a shared economy encourages people to share resources and lower costs in order to protect the environment. Think: The model followed by Airbnb or even Uber for that matter. If data is anything to go by, it is being predicted that the natural species are dying out 1000X faster than their natural rate of extinction. It’s alarming to see the very least.
So this Environment Day, let’s go shares (pun not intended) and contribute our bit to make the space we live in – a lively and a sustainable one. Here, we will list the top-5 initiatives you can undertake to foster an everlasting, green-friendly change:
1. It’s the Era of the “NOwners” a.k.a “The Millennials”
Value experiences over possessions? Prefer sharing/ renting things over owning them? Always opt for a shared cab instead of going in a non-shared one? Congratulations. You’re already living the “shared” life. This is the basic idea of how “NOwners” or generation Z operates. You can kickstart your shared journey by simply sharing resources in whatever capacity possible and move a step closer to sustainable living. Get creative and save money: two birds, one stone.
2. Rent the “Heavy-Duty” Furniture
Renting is about making smart choices that save money in the process. It not only makes financial sense but also an ecological one. The fewer the people own furniture, the lesser it takes a toll on the environment. Plus, we all know that investing in furniture can cost a bomb so why not rent stuff and embrace smart-spending? If you don’t know where to begin, try Furlenco. It offers the most trendy furniture at offbeat prices. What’s more, if you get bored with the overall look, you can simply swap the collection and give your home an instant makeover! Think of all the waste you will avoid if you had to throw perfectly fine furniture away – just because you wanted a change of sight!
3. Leverage “High Fashion”: The Lion’s Share of the Shared Economy
We all know what a colossal waste it is to buy expensive clothes for fancy occasions – only to wear it once. Luckily, there are a number of brands today that rent designer outfits and bags for special occasions such as weddings, date nights, graduation, etc. in addition to offering jewellery, accessories, among others. Simply wear the best of the best dresses and return it once the occasion is over – the best of all the worlds if you ask us!
4. Home Rentals are the Future
Imagine travelling to an exotic location in Spain and staying in someone’s exotic casa instead of the regular hotel. You’ll agree that you can’t really put a price at a local, authentic feel of the place. So next time you’re travelling for a holiday, consider holiday home rentals as a great option. If you’re wondering how it’ll help save the environment, here’s why: typically most rentals tend to wash towels and sheets until the end of your stay. Naturally, this helps save water and energy – two of the most valuable resources on the planet! Plus, the owner gets additional income with the resources that they already possess – a huge boon for anyone looking to earn a little extra on the side!
5. Create a Platform for Selling Unwanted Stuff
Perhaps the biggest advantage of technology has been the ability to create a community of like-minded people which can be used to sell unwanted things. After all, what may be useless to someone may be extremely useful to another. You reduce wastage and everyone gets what they want! So get the creative juices flowing and create a platform that empowers you to sell unwanted stuff to the community at large.
What are some of your ideas when it comes to embracing a shared living? Share your tips below and let’s strive to liver smarter.
