Borrow, swap, rent: 10 things you probably don’t need to own

These days, buying something is almost too easy. Need a thing? A few taps, one quick checkout, and it’s on your doorstep tomorrow. But a lot of what we buy only gets used once in a while — and could just as easily be borrowed, shared, swapped, repaired, or rented instead.

Finding alternatives to buying new isn’t about deprivation. It’s about saving money, reducing waste, and making better use of the things already around us. In many cases, it can also create more connection with neighbors, friends, and community. Here are some everyday things we often rush to buy — even though there are simpler and more sustainable ways to get what we need.

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1. Camping and sporting gear

Outdoor equipment is expensive, bulky, and often underused; for example, a tent might only leave the garage twice a year. Skis, paddleboards, snowshoes, golf clubs, or specialty hiking gear can cost hundreds of dollars while spending most of their lives in storage.

Instead of buying:

• Borrow from friends or family
• Rent from outdoor shops
• Use local gear libraries
• Share equipment among several households
• Buy secondhand for occasional use

Especially worth borrowing:

• Tents
• Sleeping bags
• Coolers
• Kayaks
• Snowshoes
• Child bike trailers
• Specialty sports equipment

Many communities now have outdoor lending programs through recreation centers or libraries.

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2. Gardening supplies

It’s easy to fall into the habit of buying all new gardening supplies each spring — fresh pots, tools, seeds, raised beds, and little extras for the yard. But gardening is also one of those hobbies where people genuinely love to share. Swapping seeds, dividing plants, passing along extra pots, and lending tools aren’t just ways to save money and reduce waste — they’re part of what makes gardening so enjoyable!

Instead of buying:

• Trade seeds with neighbors
• Split seed packets with friends
• Reuse nursery pots
• Propagate plants from cuttings
• Borrow tools for seasonal jobs
• Join community garden exchanges – read more about Alison’s experiences with her local buy nothing group here!

Easy items to share or reuse:

• Seed trays
• Tomato cages
• Shovels and tillers
• Plant starts
• Compost bins
• Decorative pots

A single seed packet often has way more seeds than one household can realistically use before they start to lose viability — which is why it’s such a great habit to share the extra. Contributing to a local seed library keeps things circulating in the community, reduces waste, and helps everyone grow a little more for less.

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3. Books

Books are wonderful, but it’s easy for them to end up read once and then sitting on a shelf for years. For people who love reading, the library can be a real game-changer — not just for variety, but also for saving hundreds of dollars a year without missing out on anything good to read!

Instead of buying:

• Use the library
• Borrow digitally through library apps
• Swap with friends
• Visit little free libraries
• Buy used
• Host neighborhood book exchanges

Libraries now offer far more than physical books:

• E-books
• Audiobooks
• Magazines
• Language courses
• Tool lending in some region

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4. Children’s clothes and shoes

Kids grow so quickly it almost feels like they outgrow things overnight. Some clothes barely get worn before they’re suddenly too small. Passing children’s items along between families makes a lot of sense — it keeps costs down, reduces textile waste, and gives those barely-used items a much longer life.

Instead of buying new:

• Accept hand-me-downs
• Organize clothing swaps
• Join parent exchange groups
• Buy secondhand
• Pass items along after use

Great candidates for reuse:

• Baby clothes
• Rain gear
• Halloween costumes
• Winter boots
• Sports uniforms
• Maternity wear

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5. Tools

It’s surprising how often household tools get bought for just one project and then barely used again. The average power drill, for example, might only run for a few minutes a year. That’s where tool libraries really shine — they’re growing in more and more communities and make it easy to borrow what you need, save money, and avoid filling your home with things you only use once in a while.

Instead of buying:

• Borrow from neighbors
• Use tool libraries
• Rent from hardware stores
• Share among family members

Commonly over-purchased tools:

• Pressure washers
• Tile saws
• Ladders
• Stud finders
• Post-hole diggers
• Carpet cleaners

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6. Party and event supplies

Party supplies are a classic example of things we tend to buy for just one occasion. Decorations, serving dishes, folding tables, and themed items often get used once and then tucked away — or forgotten altogether. It’s a lot of waste for something that only lasts a few hours, especially when so many of these things can be borrowed, shared, or reused for the next celebration.

Instead of buying:

• Borrow serving ware
• Share decorations
• Rent tables and chairs
• Use reusable décor
• Create community party bins

Items perfect for sharing:

• Cake stands
• Coolers
• String lights
• Folding chairs
• Beverage dispensers
• Wedding décor

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7. Baby equipment

Babies move through gear so quickly it can feel like you’re constantly switching things out. Some items are only useful for a few months before they’re already too small or no longer needed. It’s one of the reasons so much baby gear ends up being passed along — though it’s always important to double-check safety guidelines and any recalls when using secondhand items.

Instead of buying new:

• Borrow from trusted families
• Buy secondhand where safe
• Rotate items among relatives
• Join local parenting groups

Frequently short-use items:

• Bassinets
• Bouncers
• High chairs
• Baby baths
• Infant toys
• Maternity pillows

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8. Kitchen gadgets

Kitchen gadgets are one of those things that are really fun to pick out — there are so many clever options that promise to make life easier. But it’s also pretty common for a few of them to end up spending more time in the cupboard than on the counter.

Instead of buying:

• Borrow specialty appliances
• Share among relatives
• Test before purchasing
• Use multipurpose tools

Common examples:

• Ice cream makers
• Fondue sets
• Juicers
• Bread machines
• Dehydrators
• Popcorn makers

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9. Formal clothing

Formalwear is one of those things that often gets worn once or twice and then tucked away in the back of the closet. It’s worth remembering that the fashion industry has one of the largest environmental footprints in the world, and clothing we only use occasionally has a part in that.

Instead of buying:

• Rent
• Borrow
• Swap with friends
• Buy secondhand
• Rewear creatively

Good candidates:

• Wedding guest outfits
• Prom dresses
• Tuxedos
• Cocktail dresses
• Specialty shoes and bags

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10. Media and entertainment

It’s pretty common to buy movies, games, puzzles, or hobby supplies with good intentions, only to have them sit unused after the initial excitement wears off. Interestingly, sharing entertainment used to be much more normal than it is today — borrowing, trading, and passing things around was just part of how people enjoyed these kinds of activities together.

Instead of buying:

• Use libraries
• Swap with friends
• Join hobby groups
• Buy used and resell afterward

Shareable items:

• Board games
• Video games
• Puzzles
• Craft tools
• Musical instruments

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Choosing not to buy something new might feel like a small decision in the moment, but those choices really do add up. Borrowing, sharing, swapping, and reusing can mean less manufacturing, less packaging, fewer things heading to landfill, better for the budget, and often a lot less clutter at home too.

And maybe one of the nicest parts is that it helps bring back a sense of community. Asking to borrow a ladder from a neighbor, passing along kids’ clothes to a friend, or trading gardening supplies with someone nearby reminds us that we don’t all have to own everything individually.

Sustainability doesn’t always have to mean huge lifestyle changes or giving things up. Sometimes it’s simply about making the most of what already exists — and realizing that access, sharing, and reuse can often work just as well as buying something brand new.

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