The Sharehood – Building Community, Reducing Consumption

Kate Allsopp of Renew magazine writes that a basic feature of a sustainable future is a reduction in consumption. Some new online-based initiatives can help us in our quest to consume less and live more sustainably. The Sharehood was born and developed in Australia and shows how a good idea, some hard work and the internet can make an impact on improving our sustainability.

The Sharehood

Theo Kitchener didn’t own a washing machine. On the way to the local laundromat in Melbourne he wondered how many of the houses he passed would have a washing machine they would be happy to lend him.

He letterboxed his local area to see if there was any interest in a local sharing network, developed a website, and The Sharehood was born.

Sharehood started in Australia in 2008. It is slowing spreading worldwide and is proving to be a great way to access goods and services while helping to build a local community spirit.

Sharing resources means less production, packaging, waste and transportation, resulting in less greenhouse gases produced and less landfill.

Michael Green, Sharehood volunteer and a founding member of his local Sharehood, explains that The Sharehood has two main aims:

• building community
• reducing consumption

Michael says it almost gives you an excuse to get to know your neighbours, and many benefits can flow from this.

“Having a sense of belonging to the place where you live is profound—it can have a big impact on wellbeing”.

Michael’s local share-hood holds regular events such as movie nights (where they set up a projector in a park for their own moonlight cinema), soccer games and, of course, sharing of resources.

Peter Kenyon, of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S, respected WA social entrepreneur, passed on this local info.

Do you use a local Sharehood?