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.
Poppins app.
“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.”
“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.
In my family, we have developed a habit of ordering affordable DVDs whenever we discover a show or movie that we know we want to watch again (which is a trick in itself!).
Towards the end of 2020, when I relocated to a new apartment in another area of Seattle, I ended up disposing of a trash bag full of VHS tapes. While it was inevitable due to spatial constraints, I had a strong feeling that I might regret it. A sudden shift in the TV landscape where channels started charging viewers for access to old content (from Jaws to Airplanes to classic dramas) literally overnight caught us off guard. We hadn’t anticipated such a rapid change. mountain aspect
‘In the end, it will become a future landfill site.‘
I enjoy the concept of having a DVD collection and perusing its shelves like a rental store.
However, I can’t shake off the realization that most of the valuable possessions we accumulate will eventually end up in future landfills, left for future generations to grapple with. I am also keenly aware that at some point, I will either have to take on the responsibility of disposing of and redistributing my various interests, or pass the task on to a close relative. In that sense, the thought of owning even a modest DVD collection extensive enough to cover all bases fills me with dread. I think of my grandparents and the boxes they amassed over their lifetimes, destined for disposal in the dump, their parents’ attic, or the charity shop. TypeON negative
‘There’s a significant disparity in quality…‘
I may be considered a Luddite, but I’m not particularly captivated by this trend of streaming.
I recently watched a movie on Disney+. Newer movies often exhibit overly dark visuals (a complaint echoed by several acquaintances). Older films are frequently displayed in incorrect proportions or feature subpar soundtracks. My son has recently subscribed to Prime Video mainly for the TV shows but has yet to explore the movie offerings. For some reason, I harbor doubts about being able to find the movie I wish to watch.
Fortunately, we still have a local HMV store. Nothing beats the experience of strolling there, browsing around for an hour or so, and selecting a Blu-ray. The disparity in quality between watching movies via streaming and physical media is quite pronounced. “After Hours”, “Eraserhead”, “Boogie Nights”, “Naked”, “The Conversation”, “The Passengers”… While casual movie enthusiasts may indulge in a Netflix binge, more dedicated film fans prefer a shelf stocked with physical media. man without fear
A bustling video store in 2009. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
‘This current phase is the worst‘
Rental spaces will once again thrive, though it may take time, bringing a sense of nostalgia for some and a fresh experience for others. As mentioned in the article, there is a resurgence fueled by the revival of vinyl records. The more enthusiasts of the original content and the younger generation realize that they can’t access the authentic material, the more the market will adapt. However, this phase is undoubtedly the most challenging, especially with streaming services pulling titles in multiple directions. Mr username 2014
‘the hype is real‘
I recently canceled my streaming subscription and started collecting “final format” 4K Blu-rays.
The hype is justified. The quality is exceptional, with no discernible drop in visual and audio quality that can happen with streaming. Some discs are particularly well-optimized for the format. Oppenheimer is a prime example (using high-quality headphones and viewing on a 4K disc makes for a very satisfying 3-hour experience). The advent of Villeneuve is also commendable.
As a gamer, I rarely have time to dedicate to playing for more than 20 hours nowadays, so having a PS5 gives me something to engage with. blue jay 2011
‘Household finances are stretched‘
Speaking personally, I believe the streaming industry will eventually rue its efforts to lock in customers. Unfortunately, household budgets are tight, and the cost of subscribing to streaming services adds up. And it’s not just me – there are numerous services vying for attention, leading to decision fatigue.
When movies and similar content are sold on DVD or Blu-ray, the consumer is committing to a one-time purchase. As a result, these companies, and the film industry as a whole, may end up forfeiting a significant portion of their downstream revenue while also being under pressure to ensure customer satisfaction. As this discussion underscores, many of us still yearn for the ability to purchase movies in physical formats. buzz 2023
‘I have reverted‘
Honestly, I shifted to streaming platforms for movies and music for a while, but I found myself reverting back. Not only did the platform remove content I desired (movies and shows), but (especially when it came to music) changing platforms essentially meant I was “purchasing” music when I wasn’t truly owning it. I decided to change my approach. I lost money and didn’t actually possess my music. Because I had never truly bought the music in the first place, my wallet disagreed with the arrangement. That realization made me uneasy about the entire situation. Additionally, DVDs turn out to be much more cost-effective to own. Beacon of Hope Discount
‘very cluttered‘
It’s quite cluttered. I keep the CDs in a disc folder and discard the cases. While some may consider it sacrilege, it’s a satisfying compromise for me. Seven Highter
‘I’m not fixated on the format‘
Having films in digital format is too convenient for me to go back to physical formats. I do, however, continue to buy DVDs and Blu-rays of movies that aren’t digitized, but it’s a hassle to remove the DVD from its case, go to the DVD player, and start it up. …With digital media, you can initiate a movie in moments, regardless of your location. I’m not hooked on any particular format or medium. The main desire is to be able to watch our favorite movies whenever and wherever we want, and digital media is the best option for that. bf_Silver Town
‘I wasn’t intrigued until DVDs were introduced‘
Collecting movies was never as popular as amassing books or music (CDs, records, tapes). I had no inclination toward it until DVDs made their debut.
What I miss about the rise of physical media is the ability to visit someone’s home, peruse their collection of books, records, and DVDs, and discover their diverse interests. It’s a conversation starter. Jifujiji
DVDs on display in HMV stores in London. Photo: David Levin/The Guardian
‘Biggest film loss since the fires in the old studio vaults‘
We are witnessing the greatest loss of films since the fires that ravaged the old studio vaults. While some may argue that inaccessible films still exist somewhere, what if no one is able to view them?
Furthermore, digital formats are subject to frequent changes. Eventually, all digital copies of films will become obsolete. Will Disney or any other entity go to the lengths and expense of transferring all their popular movies to a new format? Possibly.
But will they undertake the arduous and costly task of migrating thousands of potentially forgotten films that haven’t seen the light of day in years and are buried in long-unused databases? Highly unlikely. son of the desert
‘I no longer live like an obsessive hoarder‘
Two years ago, I donated thousands of DVDs and Blu-rays to charity shops. I’ve abandoned the life of an obsessive hoarder and now find more peace of mind. With numerous old and new titles to watch, there are discs in my possession that I’ve never viewed in decades, some of which I’ve even given away while still in their original shrink wrap. Had streaming been available 30 years ago, it might have paid off my mortgage. R Gouveia
‘Film production courses‘
One of the reasons I’ve bought and continue to purchase numerous DVDs over the years is for the bonus content such as director commentaries, behind-the-scenes features, and interviews with cast and crew. While David Fincher’s “Seven” may be available on some random streaming service, the DVD’s commentary track alone is a treasure trove for film enthusiasts. sagarmatha 1953
‘DVDs are delicate and not everlasting‘
I still retain all my DVDs and am actively acquiring new ones. Many movies are not consistently available on streaming services, if at all, hence retaining them as physical media is crucial. The only challenge is that DVDs are susceptible to damage and cannot stand the test of time. The same can be said for DVD players. I’ve contemplated buying a new DVD player as a backup. While I do utilize a streaming service, it often has limited offerings and I struggle to find what I’m looking for, particularly when it comes to “older” movies from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1970s. Recently, I revisited the original “Ladykillers” – the remakes just don’t compare. about
‘It’s not an either-or situation‘
For me, it’s not about choosing one over the other. Streaming (via the usual platforms) has its place. It allows for discovering new movies or trying something different. Physical media, on the other hand, enables me to build my collection of movies that I can’t stream or that I prefer to own while watching them again. iron moog 007
Airbnb has announced that it will prohibit the use of indoor surveillance cameras in rental properties worldwide by the end of next month.
The online rental platform, based in San Francisco, stated that it aims to “simplify” its security camera policies while emphasizing privacy. This policy change will be implemented on April 30th.
Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s Community Policy and Head of Partnerships, stated in a prepared statement, “These changes were made in consultation with guests, hosts, and privacy experts, and we continue to solicit feedback to ensure our policies work for our global community.”
Previously, Airbnb permitted indoor surveillance cameras in common areas like hallways and living rooms, as long as their location was disclosed on the property page. With the new policy, hosts can still use doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors in common areas, but they must make the devices’ presence and location known. Outdoor cameras monitoring indoor spaces are now prohibited.
Reports from Airbnb guests have highlighted instances of hidden cameras in rental rooms. Downs anticipates that this policy change will impact only a small number of hosts, as most Airbnb properties do not have indoor surveillance cameras. Any host found to violate the new indoor camera policy risks losing their Airbnb account.
In its fourth-quarter earnings report last month, Airbnb stated that demand remained strong, with bookings and revenue on the rise.
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