In the last couple of weeks, I’ve discovered and started using 2 innovative new things that both point the way towards helping make ‘conservation’ a lot easier, more practical and accessible – the ‘conservation economy’ coming to life in tangible, new ways. The kind of ideas I’d love to see more of, that come from the mindset of conserving and participating and not just consuming.
The first is a brilliant new invention called Sugru which is a funky new material you can use to hack, fix and generally improve things you already own, in your own way. We fixed our trusty old water-butt, and sprinkler using it last week….
There’s tons of great examples of how others are finding creative uses for it on their website and I hope it really takes off. Given the recent hot weather our dry lawn is way past sprinkling so we’ve ditched the sprinkler. Grass is pretty resilient really……
The second is a new online service called Streetbank - a nifty and pretty easy new way to lend (or borrow) stuff and even skills in your local community.
I’ve signed up to share some of garden equipment that we frankly only use very occasionally and am looking to see what else we could share or lend. Early days but I can see this sort of thing working really well. Who needs to have 3 ladders and a set of expensive power tools each, when you only really use them once in a blue moon?
If you’ve seen any other things like this recently, or have any other ideas ping them through. Or even better if you’ve tried to use some of these services and have had good (or bad) experiences. Keen to see how this kind of thing could go from niche to something bigger so any insights appreciated.
Originally posted here
