Here's a not-so-secret secret: measuring the environmental impact of sharing is complex. Really complex. 🤓 Every item has its own story - from how it's made to how it's used and how long it lasts. A professional-grade sound system might last 10 years of regular use, while a budget one might give up after a few parties. That's why we want to be upfront about both what we know and what we're still figuring out.
At Poppins, we believe in the transformative power of sharing. But we don't just believe it – we measure it! Today, we're excited to share our impact calculation methodology, inspired by and building upon the groundbreaking work of our friends at Library of Things, who have been pioneers in quantifying the positive effects of borrowing instead of buying.
Why Measure Impact?
Every time someone chooses to borrow instead of buy, they're making a choice that ripples through our community and our planet. But what exactly does that ripple look like? Let's break it down!
💰 Money Saved Through Sharing
When you borrow that waffle maker for your Sunday brunch or that power drill for your DIY project, you're not just saving storage space – you're saving serious money! Following LoT's methodology, we calculate savings based on:
- The average retail price of items in our catalog
- The cost of borrowing versus buying
- The percentage of borrows that prevent a purchase
🌍 Environmental Impact
Every shared item is a win for our planet! We track:
- Direct Impact: Fewer items manufactured means less waste and lower carbon emissions
- Waste Prevention: Each borrow potentially prevents future waste
- CO2 Emissions Saved: Both from reduced manufacturing and waste prevention
- Resources Conserved: Tracking the weight and lifecycle of shared items
👥 Community Impact
The magic of Poppins goes beyond numbers. We're transforming neighbourhoods into vibrant sharing communities, one borrow at a time! We measure:
- Number of active sharers in each neighbourhood
- Connections made through sharing
- Community engagement and repeat borrowing rates
- Stories and testimonials from our community
Our Commitment to Transparency
We believe in being transparent about our methodology. We know it's not perfect – measuring impact never is! – but we're committed to continuous improvement and regular updates to make our calculations more accurate over time.
Join the Sharing Revolution!
Ready to make an impact? Every time you choose to borrow instead of buy, you're not just saving money – you're contributing to a more sustainable, connected future. As we like to say at Poppins, "Who needs to own things when you can own the moment?"
Download Poppins today and be part of a movement that's reshaping how we live, one share at a time. Whether you're looking for tools, toys, or kitchen gadgets, remember: your choice to share creates ripples of positive change in your community and beyond.
Special thanks to Library of Things for their pioneering work in impact measurement and their commitment to transparency. Their methodology has been invaluable in helping us measure our own impact.
