Are you in need of a kitchen mixer, drill, tent, or raclette maker? Maybe there’s a bread machine, an ice cream maker, or a toast maker gathering dust in your cupboard?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, Lucy Bash has a solution for you. The French entrepreneur and creator of the successful anti-food waste app is now tackling another issue: the simultaneous overuse and underuse of everyday household items.
Bash co-founded a new app called Poppins, inspired by the endlessly deep carpet bag of the world’s most beloved nanny, filled with oversized items, including a hat stand. The app aims to connect individuals who have items they no longer need under the motto “You have fewer and more yourself.”
Bash mentioned a survey revealing that the average French citizen owns about 2.5 tons of belongings, with roughly a third of those not being used.
“It doesn’t make ecological or economic sense,” she stated. “Our goal is to simplify the process for everyone to locate what they need nearby. Collective prosperity is the only path forward.”
She further explained: “The Raclette machine is a perfect example; you buy one and use it only a couple of times a year, yet it occupies half your kitchen space. Renting it out is a smart alternative.”
Since its launch in April, the app has garnered 40,000 users in France within just a few weeks. Users can browse available items in their area, some of which can be rented, while others can be borrowed. Poppins plans to establish community guidelines. Their broader mission is to promote sharing over shopping, including local rental shops and library-like lending outlets.
In the initial weeks post-launch, the raclette machine emerged as the most sought-after household item. With summer approaching, there is an increasing interest in tents and camping gear—like petancasses, beds, cribs, party supplies, barbecues, and outdoor equipment. Nearly 65% of offerings on Poppins are available for free borrowing. The moderated platform prohibits the promotion of weapons or adult toys.
Bash remarked: “The beauty of sharing combines ecological, economic, and social benefits. When sharing becomes the norm, it leads to lower production rates, which is eco-friendly. Rentals and purchases become more affordable and social through discussion.”
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“We are shifting from linear growth to cyclical growth. Linear models are no longer sustainable; they harm our planet. The necessity is clear to everyone in the sector, including major companies that are now starting to reach out to us.”
Bash indicated that even large-scale commodity companies are moving towards rental options. “This is the future. The challenge for industry leaders lies in transforming their business models.”
“We aim to make sharing straightforward, dependable, and enjoyable. The enjoyment is crucial; it gives you that life-hacker feeling. We guarantee you can find what you need within your chosen radius.”
At 33, Bash, who was born in Paris, studied at Lille’s prestigious Centre-Rail Engineering University. She became aware of the critical issue of food waste during her tenure at Nestle. Her first idea for an app arose when she witnessed a bakery discarding unsold products; upon inquiry, she learned they couldn’t donate but offered her three times the food in exchange for payment.
Currently, the app boasts over 100 million users across 19 countries in Europe and North America. It originated when Bash recognized that 40% of the world’s food produced is thrown away, generating over 8% of the planet’s greenhouse gases, while millions remain hungry. Users of Too Good To Go purchase surprise bags collected at specific times from shops and restaurants, with a total value exceeding three times the price of the app.
The Poppins app is set to launch in Belgium next year, with plans for a release in the UK in late 2026 or 2027.
Source: www.theguardian.com
