Don’t just buy something, share it
Have you ever stood dithering in the shops, wondering if you really *need* the whatchamacallit you’re about to buy? You want to use it, but you don’t have any particular desire to own it. But there’s no other way to get one of these whatchamacallits, so you take it to the counter and put your money down.
This is where product service systems could come in handy. Product service system is a fancier way of saying “let’s all share stuff we don’t need to own”. Some examples you’re already familiar with are libraries, taxis, laundromats, and gyms. They’re great for getting hold of things like treadmills or the complete works of Shakespeare, things you don’t have room for, or don’t need every day.
The environmental benefits are clear: far less energy and time going into producing goods that will only get used once, then either be kept to gather dust, or sent to landfill to rot away slowly. Sharing one rarely-used item among many people is so much more efficient than everyone having one. And a product service system can be a profitable yet sustainable business.
This Worldchanging article Product Service Scenarios for the Bright Green City, mentions a few examples that environmentalists have come up with, like a tool-sharing service (how often do you use an angle-grinder?) or the imaginative handbag-rental business (use the bag once for a special occasion, then send it right back). There are car-sharing services popping up around Australia, like GoGet, GWhiz or Nexus, for the times when a taxi would be too expensive. Toy libraries have been around for years, so parents can rotate through a variety of toys for their kids at a fraction of the cost of owning all of them. It doesn’t even have to be a registered business: it might just be neighbours borrowing a lawn-mower, or car-pooling into the city centre.
My favourite product service system right now is Quickflix. I love to watch movies, but don’t want to buy them unless i know I’m going to watch them more than once, and I don’t know that until after I’ve seen it once already. The local video store worked well for me for years, and is a PSS most people would be familiar with. However, there’s still the driving to and from the store, multiplied by the number of people there, plus the trips to return the movie later. Also, I’m then tempted to buy lollies or chocolates! Quickflix uses Australia Post to send and receive the dvds; your postie was making a trip around your suburb anyway, so getting him or her to take another batch of envelopes is much more efficient than everyone driving to and from a store.
What other product service systems do you already use, or wish were available to you?
6 Comments
Want to know when this site has a new post? Just choose one of the links below to receive an email notification or add Go Greener to your feed reader.
Subscribe by Email
Subscribe in a reader
Ok, so I post this and have just now found an even lower-impact way to rent movies: iTunes is now letting people rent or buy downloadable movies in Australia. Instead of the resources to make a dvd, you can just put the file on your computer. It won’t be the right solution for everyone, but I can hook my laptop up to our tv so it’s something I’m definitely considering.
I was just reading the RAC member magazine which mentions the Nexus car-share service; that’s something I would definitely consider when we move back to Perth (or perhaps even next year if we end up in Houston). My partner thinks it’s only good for replacing a rarely-used second car, whereas we are already a one-car family so it wouldn’t be workable.
However, I do think it’s workable for a couple like us, who (in Perth) heavily rely on public transport and bikes, and rarely actually use the car except on weekends.
I really like the way Nexus provides a bike mechanic to tune up your bikes when you first join – good lateral thinking there.
Thanks for the heads-up for movies on iTunes, by the way.
Oh, and while you’re mentioning Quickflix, I have to give a plug for SlimInk (www.slimink.com.au), same concept but for books. Again, you can avoid the drive to the library/bookstore and save resources by sharing. The US has Paperspine. There’s also websites for renting ebooks online, which will be good once Australia gets something like the Kindle (something a bit cheaper than the Sony eReader, anyway).
Hi Julie, I’m glad you are enjoying the service Quickflix provides and yes, it’s a great PSS which is saving the environment AND people can save their own time, money and effort in DVD rental. The envelopes can also be recylced! I do the public relations for them and it’s great to have your feedback. Keep in adding to your Queue; do you also know about the other services it provides such as the auto Queue top-up?
Eco best, Kimberley
Join the World in InterNATIONAL Buy Something Used Day January 22nd, 2009! Used goods require NO new agricultural or industrial practices, NO new manufacturing processes, NO new packaging, and NO transglobal transportation to marketplace. And it applies EVERYWHERE in the world. It is TRULY GREEN CONSUMERISM! Give a thought to the required process of everything you have in your life and the fact that many have to be transported around the world (some many times). It won’t take you long to realize how critically important it is for you to REUSE to the reduction of carbon and GHG emissions. Visit a reseller in your area anytime but especially on January 22nd and share your experiences by emailing us at makingadifference(at)reyouzd.com (replace ‘(at)’ with ‘@’) and wherever you are in the world, have a Happy and Sustainable New Year!(a project of http://www.reyouzd.com)
Charter Drive cars share is another car sharing service (in addition to the ones listed above) that operates from Sydney and Melbourne.
It would be appreciated if you could add us to your list of operators.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Paul