How a Library of Things Helps Reduce Household Waste

Sep 30

4 min read

A library of things is a shared collection of useful items, like tools, appliances, camping gear and party supplies, that people borrow instead of buying. It reduces household waste by cutting the number of products that need to be made, keeping items in use for longer, and stopping rarely used things from ending up in landfill. Whether it's run by a community group or shared between friends, it's one of the simplest ways to live more sustainably.

What is a library of things?

Think of it as a regular library, but with things instead of books. Rather than every household owning its own drill, carpet cleaner and pasta maker, a group shares one of each.

Libraries of things are growing across Australia. The Sydney Library of Things at the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability in Waverton lends nearly 200 items, including tools, kitchen appliances, sports and camping gear, games and puzzles. The Brunswick Tool Library in Melbourne, founded in 2013, is one of the longest-running in the country. Some focus on a particular category, like tool libraries, kitchen libraries and even kite libraries.

There are two main kinds:

Community libraries of things: a physical space, often run by volunteers or councils, where members borrow donated items
Personal libraries of things: a shared list among friends, family or neighbours, where everyone lends from their own homes

Both work on the same idea: we don't all need to own everything.

How does a library of things reduce waste?

Fewer things need to be made

Every product has a footprint before it reaches your home: raw materials, energy, water, packaging and transport. When ten households share one pressure washer instead of buying ten, nine products never need to be made. That's the biggest environmental win of sharing, and it happens before anything reaches the bin.

Items stay in use for longer

Things that sit unused tend to deteriorate. Batteries die, rubber perishes and parts go missing, and eventually the item gets thrown out without ever being worn out. In a shared library, items are used regularly, looked after and repaired, so they get a full working life.

Less e-waste

Electronics are a big part of the problem. Australians generate around 20 kilograms of e-waste per person each year, and national e-waste is expected to reach 657,000 tonnes by 2030. E-waste also locks away valuable materials: about $430 million worth was lost to landfill in 2019 alone.

Sharing electronics like power tools, carpet cleaners, projectors and kitchen gadgets means fewer are bought, and fewer are dumped.

Less clothing waste

Clothing is another major waste stream. Around 222,000 tonnes of clothing went to landfill in Australia in 2023, and Australians bought 53 items of clothing each on average.

Sharing formal wear, costumes, ski gear and maternity clothes is an easy way to cut down on pieces that get worn once and forgotten.

Less clutter, less hidden waste

When your cupboards aren't overflowing, you're less likely to lose track of what you own and buy duplicates. You'll also do fewer big clean-outs where perfectly good items end up in the skip bin.

What are the other benefits of sharing?

Reducing waste is only part of the story. Libraries of things also:

Save money, because borrowing is usually free or cheap compared to buying
Free up space, which is especially valuable in apartments and smaller homes
Build community, since borrowing is a natural reason to connect with neighbours and friends
Encourage new hobbies, because you can try camping, paddleboarding or bread-making without the upfront cost

How can you start sharing at home?

You don't need a building or a committee to start your own library of things. Here's a simple way to begin:

Take stock of what you own. Look for items you use less than once a month.
Decide what you're happy to lend. It's fine to keep some things to yourself.
Invite a few friends or neighbours. Start small with people you trust.
Keep a shared list so everyone knows what's available.
Agree on a few ground rules, such as return times and what happens if something breaks.

The shared list is where most informal sharing falls down. Group chats get buried and nobody remembers who has the ladder. ThingLibrary was built to solve exactly this: each person adds the items they're happy to lend, and friends can browse and request them in one place.

If there's a community library of things near you, it's worth joining too. The two work well side by side.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of items are in a library of things?

Commonly shared items include tools, garden equipment, kitchen appliances, camping gear, party supplies, sports equipment, games and baby gear.

Are there libraries of things in Australia?

Yes. They operate in many cities and towns, often run by volunteers or supported by local councils. The Australian Library of Things Network has a map to help you find one nearby.

How does borrowing help the environment?

Borrowing means fewer products are made and thrown away, which reduces the materials, energy and emissions involved, and keeps waste out of landfill.

Can I start a library of things with my friends?

Absolutely. Agree on what everyone is happy to lend, set a few simple rules and keep a shared list. An app like ThingLibrary makes it easy to manage.