Market research firms have discovered that our new generation of consumers likes to share. That is great news for those of us in the sustainability industry. We believe, less waste, and less consumption is a good thing.
This sharing of things has created new business models that enable sharing to take place. For example, car-sharing programs. Innovative technology has enabled a wonderful service to emerge allowing people to use cars only when they need them. Members log onto the car-sharing website and reserve the car they want for the time period they want. This eliminates the need to own a car.
It also gives members a wide variety of cars to choose from enabling them to choose the vehicles based on their needs. If it is a date night, you may choose a different type of car then what you would choose to go snowboarding. People no longer need to own their own car; they own a share of a car through a car-sharing program. Check www.zipcar.com or www.phillycarshare.com for more information.
Cars are just one item that is now being shared. For those pocketbook divas, you can now share/rent the latest and greatest handbags at Avelle, http://www.bagborroworsteal.com. This company is constantly adding new inventory to their site. No need to own a Gucci bag anymore when you can rent it for an occasion and then send it back and rent next season’s latest and greatest fashion item.
What I really like about this company is that they also fix bags. If you have a favorite bag that you need repaired, they can repair it for you. No need to throw it out, just get it fixed. While this may not be a formal sustainable business, it is a business that we should support and let them know that we appreciate what they are doing.
