Assessing sharing of household goods: tool and toy sharing in Melbourne and Toronto

Oksana Mont

Chapter 6 in Understanding the Urban Sharing Economy, 2025, pp 110-130 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter, authored by Oksana Mont, explores the sharing of idle household goods through tool and toy libraries, contrasting them with traditional book libraries funded by local governments. Unlike book libraries, tool and toy libraries face challenges in developing sustainable business models while maintaining community-focused values. Drawing from the “Urban Sharing: Sustainability and Institutional Pathways” project, the chapter examines cases in Toronto and Melbourne, reviewing the literature on household goods sharing and its societal and environmental impacts. It discusses operational tactics, sustainability implications, and city governance's role in supporting these initiatives. Featured case studies include the Toronto Tool Library and Melbourne's Brunswick Tool Library, along with several toy libraries in Melbourne. These examples highlight their operational strategies, challenges and collaboration with community actors under city governance. The chapter emphasises supportive mechanisms like enabling regulations and local authority provisions to enhance the visibility, viability and impact of sharing organisations, offering insights into their potential for sustainability and fostering sustainable urban environments.

Keywords: Tool sharing; Toy sharing; Operations; Sustainability impacts; City government; Barriers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035320530
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