The “Redhill Library of Things”: Why Buy When You Can Borrow?
We all have that one cupboard. The one stuffed with a pasta maker we used once, a tent that hasn’t seen the countryside in three years, and a power drill gathering dust.
As your Green Party candidate, I am proposing a practical solution that declutters our homes, saves us money, and brings our community together: A Library of Things for Redhill.
The Drill Paradox
There is a statistic often cited by sustainability experts: the average power drill is used for just 13 minutes in its entire lifetime. Yet, almost every household feels the need to own one. We manufacture, package, ship, and buy these complex machines, only for them to sit idle. It makes no economic or environmental sense.
What is a “Library of Things”?
The concept is simple. Just as you borrow a book from Redhill Library, you should be able to borrow a carpet cleaner, a hedge trimmer, a sewing machine, or a projector. Instead of paying £150 for a tool you need for one weekend, you pay a small fee (e.g., £3–£5) to borrow it. You use it, clean it, and return it for your neighbor to use next.
Why Redhill needs this now
Our neighbors in Dorking and Guildford have already launched their own successful versions. It is time Redhill caught up. Here is why we am campaigning for the Council to fund a startup grant and provide space for this initiative:
- Tackling the cost of living: In tight financial times, DIY and repairs shouldn’t be a luxury. A Library of Things democratizes access to high-quality tools.
- The Circular Economy: This is the ultimate “Green” policy. By sharing resources, we drastically reduce the demand for new manufacturing. Every item borrowed is one less item ending up in landfill.
- Space saving: Many of us live in flats or houses with limited storage. This allows us to access what we need without the clutter.
A hub for the community
Ideally, this wouldn’t just be a locker system. I envision a space—perhaps partnered with the library or a vacant high street unit—that serves as a community hub. It could run alongside a Repair Café, where skilled locals teach others how to fix broken electronics or darn clothes.
If elected, I will push for Reigate & Banstead Council to follow the lead of other forward-thinking boroughs and secure the seed funding to make this a reality.
What would you borrow?
If Redhill had a Library of Things, what items would you want to see in it? Or do you have tools you would be willing to donate?