This is the library of things in Headingley that has saved its members £5,000 since opening only four months ago.
Buy Nowt LS6 opened in October in a bid to save people money but help the environment.
A library of things is an enterprise that helps people save money by renting items out.
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Jed Aitchison first read about the idea after his mum sent him an article about a 'library of things' which he thought was a “fantastic” idea back in 2017.
However, he brought the idea to life by opening Buy Nowt in Headingley in October 2021.
He admitted the volunteer-run shop where people ‘pay as you feel’ has been quiet the past couple of months but they have been able to gain 500 members and over 700 items in their inventory.
The business has loaned over 250 items with an average price of £20 meaning its members have saved £5,000 - saving around five tonnes of carbon in the atmosphere, Jed said.
“It’s an unusual idea. A lot of people don’t get it,” Jed, project manager for Buy Nowt said. “We're quite new and have an alien concept. You tell people about it and they say ‘what's that?’
“We’ve been open for four months this weekend. We have over 500 members, 800 followers on Instagram, and nearly 600 Twitter followers.
"Eighty per cent of the items have been donated by people, that's because people have stuff they’ve accumulated and they want to give it to a worthwhile cause.”
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The library encourages people to rent items they won’t use regularly instead of buying.
Their inventory includes a range of items including arts and crafts equipment, DIY tools, camping gear, gardening tools, costumes, and more.
Some of the individual items they have also include pasta and bread makers, disco balls, sewing machines and lawnmowers.
Jed added this also gives access to people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to the items, as they believe “access is more important than ownership.”
If you would like to rent, donate or become a member, you can find more information here.
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