Sharing is caring
Global challenges, such as climate change and pollution, require us to transform our consumption habits. Do we really need to buy and own anything we like? This unit is about the concept of ‘sharing’ that is the core of Circular Economy, a model which aims to favour the regeneration of nature, while eliminating waste and pollution. Find out why ‘sharing’ is gaining importance and how you can benefit from this trend yourself!
Warm up
Before diving into the activities with your buddy, test your knowledge and answer together these two questions:
Learn
How did we end up having so many products/items/objects? Wouldn’t even 100 of these items be enough?
This has to do with industrialization and capitalism that made mass production possible and accessible for many people.
But let’s investigate more!
Dive in 1
“Sharing is caring”
This expression means that giving something which is yours to someone else shows that you care about the other person and, indirectly, also the whole community and the environment we live in.
Sharing things, knowledge, skills, space… is something humans have always done.
Why do you think that this slogan is so popular today?
What might it have to do with climate change?
Share your thoughts with your buddy.
Dive in 2
Think about some items that you own but you haven’t been using for quite a while:
Write the first 5 that come to your mind.
Done?
Now, go through the items you listed and discuss:
- Why don’t you use it anymore?
- Is it sometimes used by someone else?
- Would you consider donating it to others?
Dive in 3
Now let’s consider those items you would like to have..
Together with your buddy, create a wish list of 10 items you would like to have. These could include electronic devices, clothes, sports equipment and so on.
Done?
Now look at your list and discuss which item must be bought and used by just one person; and which one could be owned by a group of people and shared among its members.
Hint: You can add to your discussion aspects related to the frequency and duration of use, price, cost of production, product lifespan and so on.
Create 1
Action!
Together with your buddy create an action plan to organise the sharing of certain items like books, clothes, sports equipment, etc. within your circle of friends. Include information on what items will be up to be shared with others; if they are needed and/or appreciated; what are the conditions expected for sharing these items; how to protect and safeguard these items; and rules you might need to set for your plan to work well.
If you prefer you can set a plan for a skill-sharing workshop. This would involve a meeting during which the participants share experiences and expertise on how ‘sharing’ can be carried out.
When and where could this take place? Think of peers who would be interested in participating: what would they be able to share?
Create 2
In many cities in Germany, you can find small shelves in public places in which people can leave items they don’t need anymore. You may even see this happening in some buildings
close to the staircase. Sometimes you will just see a box labelled “free-box”.
Create your own free-box (in the form of a box or a shelf). Think of a good place where you would put it and create an engaging sign to explain what it is and how it should be used. You can even organise a simple advertising campaign to inform people about this venture! If you intend on actually implementing this in public, make sure you have all permissions in place.
Another idea for a venture would be to organise a flea market whereby people exchange items through donation rather than purchasing items.
Create a presentation (in written form or in audio and/or video format) on how to put up a successful free box or flee market. Insert many tips and pictures that relate to your experience!
Have it uploaded in the work.it area to inspire others!
Reflect
Share with your buddy your thoughts on following questions:
- Has your attitude changed towards buying or sharing?
- Which arguments would you use to convince other people to share?
- How would you describe arguments against the concept of sharing? Are they fundamental arguments? Do the relate more to the implementation or organisation of such ventures?
- What practical measures should be in place to make sharing easier?
Choose one of the above to create your postcard!
Download the free KIDS4ALLL app and your wish comes true!
