If you dream of a world where neighbors share with each other and you don't have to spend money at a store every time you need something, then your local Buy Nothing Group might be the perfect fit. This clever idea began in July 2013, when two friends, Rebecca Rockefeller and Liesl Clark, from. Bainbridge Island, Washington, wanted to try something new. They liked the idea of developing a local gift economy as a way to challenge the consumerist mindset and reconnect neighbors. The Buy Nothing Project has grown rapidly since then, with 6,000 groups now in 44 countries.
The basic idea is that anyone can ask for what they need and anyone can give it. The official rules are simple: "Post anything you'd like to give away, lend, or share among neighbors. Ask for anything you'd like to receive for free or borrow. Keep it legal. No buying or selling, no trades, we're strictly a gift economy."
All participants have equal standing. Gifts and requests can be large or small, items or services (though they must be legal). Lending and borrowing are allowed, too. Things must be given freely, with no expectation of a gift in return. There are no rules about how to post, though people are encouraged to share personal stories about themselves, their gifts and requests, as this helps to build community.
When asked why the Buy Nothing Project has been met with such enthusiasm, the founders suggest it's because of the human desire to feel connected with others around us. Besides, this is truly a great way to take a stand against over-consumption, to clear out our homes, to save items from landfill and prolong their lifespan , and to keep valuable resources in the ground. The more sharing and reusing we can do, the better off we'll all be for both climate and human well-being.
