A New Year for sharing resources
The new year is a great time to rethink how we get what we need. Small changes in your everyday choices about purchasing goods and services and borrowing, sharing and swapping instead can get you what you need and you might meet new people along the way.
Check out the stuff that you have around your home because chances are there are a few items that are just sitting idle. Portland has some great resources to turn that clutter into a resource for you by swapping, trading, renting or loaning these items out.
Family, friends and neighbors are great resources for borrowing and sharing. More Portlanders are getting involved with the sharing economy!
Bright Neighbor is a safe way to swap and trade everything from skills and food to all sorts of things you probably have around the house.
Consider renting tools and sporting equipment for that once-a-year house project or occasional outing. Rent equipment for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing if planning a day at the mountain.
Use party rental stores to rent dishes, flatware and linens for larger parties and gatherings. Or check out a neighborhood swap shop that may offer members a chance to borrow needed dishes. There are four in different Portland neighborhoods where household and food preservation equipment and even community space can be shared.
Borrowing books from the library isn’t anything new, but it is regaining popularity and the library now has videos and other resources to check out.
How about kitchen items? Southeast Portlandresidents now have Kitchen Share, a resource to build community through the sharing of tools, traditions, skills and food. Learn more about how this sharing idea happened.
Are you planning your wedding? Something Borrowed rents items on a sliding scale to make your special day one-of-a-kind.
For a fun take on sharing, watch the Share Spray video and find more resources.
Where do you go to Be Resourceful? Share your favorite Portland community resource.
The City does not endorse or assume responsibility for businesses, companies or organizations listed by the Be Resourceful program.