Buy Nothing Project

Description

The Buy Nothing Project is a global network of hyper-local gift economies, founded in 2013. It uses a digital platform and mobile app to enable people to give away for free unwanted items and skills within local communities, fostering connections, circulating value, and reducing waste. The network transacts around 2.5 million gifts per month over 230,000 communities, 10 million neighbors with 13,000 volunteers.

What Makes it Regenerative?

• supports circularity
• fosters community
• facilitates coordination & consensus
• enables localization
• creates network effects
• enables access & participation

Business Model

The BuyNothing app is operated as a non-profit gift to the world, currently supported by tax-deductible contributions to its fiscal sponsor, Angels for Angels, and by contributions from the founding team and their friends and families.

Risks & Limitations

• Participation depends on having an active group in your specific area, thus rural or less populated areas might have limited options
• Wealthier neighborhoods might have more to offer, while others might have less access to desired items
• Safety concerns underlie meetings and arranging pick-ups with unfamiliar people
• Since items are free, there's no guarantee of their quality or functionality, which may require effort to repair or restore items before using them.