Copy These! 5 Big Local Ideas About Borrowing (Not Buying!) 

Lochaber Environmental Group's Active Transport Library allows people to borrow bikes and cycling accessories free of charge.

1. Sharing is caring! 

The ‘sharing economy,’ as it is known, not only allows people access to things that they need, but don’t use often enough to buy; it also provides opportunities for people to come together and meet each other to exchange items and knowledge. Edinburgh Tool Library (ETL) runs workshops and classes to help borrowers to use the tools, and through these ETL is building community, tackling loneliness and isolation; as well as reducing waste. 

2. Don’t throw the baby things out with the bath water! 

There are many things in life that we need for a very short time, and often those things are useable again and again. PramDepot is an organisation based in London, which supports vulnerable mothers by providing Baby Boxes with essential items for their newborns. Many of the items in these boxes are pre-loved or recycled: clothes, bottles, small toys and other things that are perfectly safe to reuse. Once the recipients have used the contents of the box, most of the items can be re-donated and put in a box for another family. 

3. Try before you buy! 

Borrowing doesn’t need to always be for practical reasons. Many items available at Libraries of Things are leisure or hobby-related; for example golf, tennis or fishing equipment; painting or crafting kit or even musical instruments. If you’ve never tried something before – how do you know you’ll enjoy it and want to keep doing it? By borrowing the stuff you need to try out a new hobby, you can save yourself some cash and explore a few options before deciding to go all-in and buy your own things. Hear more about this from Benthyg Cymru founder Becky Harford, on the Carbon Copy Podcast. 

4. This season’s hottest trend: borrowed. 

Let’s face it, unless you are a Hollywood star or member of the Royal Family, your needs for ballgowns, tuxedos and designer stilettos are going to be fairly infrequent. On top of that, even if you do have multiple black-tie events in a year, chances are you aren’t going to want to wear the same outfit (although even Naomi Campbell does it, so why shouldn’t you?) There is a solution which avoids waste, saves you money and will still leave you feeling red-carpet ready: borrowing! Websites like By Rotation, Hirestreet and Girl Meets Dress have hundreds of options for every occasion; and a hire service is also available from some department stores like Selfridges and John Lewis.  

5. On Yer Our Bike! 

Accessing a bike can open up a whole range of options in terms of work, leisure and social activities; and it has environmental and health benefits too. Buying a new bike can be expensive, and owning a bike means you need somewhere to store it and tools to maintain it. Initiatives like the Bike Shed in Fort William are making it easier for people to choose active travel, with push bikes, e-bikes, cycle trailers and bike tools available to borrow, free of charge, for a few hours, days or weeks at a time. The shed also hosts repair workshops to help users become more confident to maintain their own bikes. 

Borrow Don’t Buy is the latest focus in Carbon Copy’s 25 Big Local Actions in 2025 campaign. For more information about this and to discover a local action that’s right for you, visit our campaign landing page.