How does Gecko help the environment?

We all want the newest stuff, right? Whether it’s the newest cameras, the newest speakers, the newest GoPro, you name it! However, whilst we long for these awesome new items, we forget the impact this ends up having on mother nature and in the current climate crisis we’re in, it’s crucial to be aware of new ways that we may be able to improve this. A core part of our mission was to reduce the amount of people buying new speakers, tents, cameras, etc. when we could hire it out and not only help the environment but also our back pockets 😉

1. We’re a part of a Sharing Economy 🌍

Sharing is caring, right? So why don’t we have this same mentality when it comes to our items? 🤷 How many more trees, animals or ecosystems could’ve been saved if we just shared?

What is the Sharing Economy?

The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “an economic system in which assets or services are shared between private individuals, either for free or for a fee, typically by the means of the internet.” In short, it’s what we do here at Gecko! 😍 We provide you guys with the platform so you can easily share your items with others!

How does the Sharing Economy help the environment?

In 2017, Airbnb guests in Europe achieved energy savings equivalent to 826,000 homes and have reduced water usage equal to 13,000 Olympic size pools! Just like Airbnb, Gecko helps the planet by reducing your ecological footprint! By giving you a platform to rent out your unused items rather than throwing them away... Gecko helps you to reduce your landfill waste in particular, your e-waste! Through Gecko, you can also protect the environment and our natural resources! 😍

Want to know how?? Continue reading 😉

2. How does Gecko help reduce landfill? 💪

You might see your old PS4 or WII as useless, but others may see it as useful. One man’s ‘trash’ is another man’s treasure, right? By renting out your items at Gecko, you can help reduce landfill waste by extending the life-cycle of your items. How? Gecko’s practise of a sharing economy enables you to give your unused PS4 or WII a few more lives before they ultimately need to be recycled.

How bad is Australia’s waste problem?

Statistics from ABC’s War on Waste series reveal that Australia is one of the most wasteful countries in the developed world 😰 Pretty shocking right? Well to be honest, not really… We’ve become a “throw-away” society where everything seems disposable. Our furniture, our clothes, our TV’s, our phones, you name it. But what are the consequences of having this “throw-away” mentality? We just throw things away 😐

How bad is furniture waste in Australia?

Who doesn’t love IKEA? Their food is delicious, the store is aesthetic and they have super affordable furniture that can be easily assembled 😍 While this sounds really good, it does have some downsides too… Retailers such as IKEA make it easy and affordable for us to assemble but it also makes it easy for us to just throw it away…

Over 85% of furniture we put on the “curb” (council pickup) actually isn’t recycled and is instead sent to landfill. If you think that is scary, approximately 800,000 three-seater sofas, 1.6 million dining tables, 3.4 million coffee tables or 6.5 million chairs are thrown away every year. Big yikes! 😣

How does Gecko help with furniture waste?

With Gecko, you don’t need to worry about your furniture ending up as landfill waste… We can assure you that by renting out your unused furniture, you are doing the right thing by engaging in this sustainable practice 🙌

3. You reduce e-waste 🔈

You know that speaker that you don’t need right now… don’t think of it like men! Not all men are trash! 😂 At Gecko, you can rent out your unused speakers, lights or DJ set at a click of a button!

What is e-waste?

The Global E-Waste Monitor 2020, recognises electronic waste (e-waste) as any product that has electrical components and a battery or power supply that has been discarded without the intent of reuse. In short, they are your old TV or DSLR that you no longer plan to reuse. Let’s say that you decide to throw out your old TV, how does it affect the environment?

How bad is e-waste in Australia?

Clean Up Australia states that 88% of the 7 million computers and TV’s purchased in Australia annually will end up in landfill! You thought that was bad? Well, 70% of E-waste is responsible for toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead and cadmium found in landfill 😱

The World Health Organisation considers mercury as one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of public health concern (toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems).

How does Gecko reduce e-waste?

I know e-waste seems scary but we’re here to help 😌 At Gecko, we want to encourage sustainability by providing you with a platform where you can rent out your unused items. You can help reduce e-waste and can earn money! 🤑 💸

Even the City of Sydney advises us to consider re-use before thinking about recycling E-waste if the electronic items are still functional. If your computer or TV is broken and you need to recycle it, here are some steps to help you out!

4. You protect Environment 🙌

Not all heroes wear capes! 🦸 Heroes like you who choose to rent out your items with us are actually protecting the ecosystem. How? You know that speaker you wanted to buy for your wedding or party? I hate to break it to you… but iron is needed to make speakers and iron needs to be mined!

How bad is mining?

Mining erodes our land, depletes our natural resources and has a large carbon footprint to effectively operate. Globally, mining operations can force local communities from their homes and land. Their livelihood and access to simple necessities such as clean water and land and further be stripped away.

How can Gecko protect the environment?

By renting items with Gecko, you can discourage these unsustainable and harmful practices such as mining by reducing demand. Wouldn’t it be cheaper and more environmentally friendly to rent these speakers instead of purchasing them? It may seem like you’re not doing a lot… but your decision, along with others, can make a difference 😇

Want to join us in helping the environment? 🤝

Become a Lender or a Borrower at Gecko today! Create your unforgettable experiences while saving the planet 🦸

*Want to learn more about mining, fast-fashion, e-waste and the sharing economy? We got you covered 💪