WASTE NOT
By Amy Greenfield
The Library of Things
DID you know that the average drill is used for only 10 minutes in its lifetime, but more than half of the households in the UK own one?
What a shocking waste. But what if there was another way to have access to the tools and equipment we need for DIY projects, camping trips, parties, and events, without the need to buy new items that only have a limited use? Enter Benthyg! Barry’s newest eco-project, designed to make borrowing items as easy as popping out for a pint of milk.
At its heart is a simple idea, creating a community where you borrow things you need but don’t own and donate things you own but don’t need. A fantastic example of the new ‘sharing economy’, a movement of people and communities who are coming together to pool resources and share skills. It’s the perfect way to downsize the number of tools or kitchen gadgets that you have cluttering up your understairs cupboard.
If you’re moving in together and have more than one power drill, or if you’re downsizing and don’t need your bulky lawnmower anymore, simply donate them to the Benthyg Barry Library of Things, where you can still borrow them if you need to.
But Barry is just the latest in a chain of community hubs promoting reuse and sharing. Benthyg Penarth, based at The Clockyard, in Glebe Street, launched earlier this year with a fantastic response. Over 100 items were donated in their first month alone including DIY tools, a home brew kit and an ice cream maker. All items that would be costly to buy new but cost only a few pounds to borrow for a project or event.
The Barry project will be based at Awesome Wales Zero Waste Shop, in Holton Road, Barry. But will also incorporate pop-up events around the town. The first event was held today, Saturday 23rd October in the Vale Hub, in Aberaeron Close, Gibbonsdown. You can find out more on the Benthyg social media pages @benthygbarry, or visit here.
