With climate change accelerating, borrowing instead of buying is a simple act with serious impact and Knocknock is making it easier than ever.

We’ve all heard about it. The climate crisis isn’t a future problem anymore. It’s here. From record-breaking heatwaves to more frequent natural disasters, global warming is already reshaping life as we know it. The time to act? Right now. And while big system changes are vital, there’s something powerful we can all do as individuals today: consume less and share more. That’s where Knocknock comes in.

Before we look into a better way of living for both us and the planet, let’s delve a little deeper into why consumption Is fueling the climate crisis. The modern consumer culture runs on a relentless cycle: buy, use (briefly), discard, repeat. But behind every product sits a carbon footprint including resource extraction and manufacturing to packaging and shipping. Research from the United Nations Environment Programme (2020) confirms that overconsumption of material goods is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, especially in high-income countries, just like Australia.

Take power tools or camping gear, for example. Items often bought, used once or twice a year, and left to collect dust. That’s a lot of emissions for very little actual use. According to the Circularity Gap Report (Circle Economy, 2021), only 7.2% of the global economy is circular: meaning most of what we consume is not reused, repurposed, or shared. We’re taking more than the Earth can regenerate and wasting more than it can absorb.

So what can we do about it? Let’s look at borrowing over buying: A simple act with a big impact. Borrowing flips the script. Instead of everyone owning the same thing, we share. And the environmental savings add up fast. When you borrow on Knocknock, you’re helping the planet in multiple ways, including: preventing the need for another product to be made (and shipped), reducing household clutter and unnecessary consumption and extending the useful life of an item through reuse.

Belk (2010) notes that shared use of consumer goods reduces aggregate demand for production, which translates to fewer emissions, less pollution, and less waste in landfill. In simple terms: the fewer things we buy, the fewer things need to be made and transported to us. Here is a great example of this: for every drill that’s borrowed instead of bought, there’s a tangible carbon saving. One report by WRAP UK (2012) estimated that sharing or renting items can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 50-70% compared to ownership, depending on the category of the individual item.

Why does it matter now more than ever? According to the IPCC (2023), the window for avoiding catastrophic climate impacts is rapidly closing. Limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires immediate and deep reductions in emissions across all sectors, including the way we consume goods. Borrowing doesn’t just save money, it slows the burn. It’s one of the simplest, most accessible ways for individuals and communities to reduce their personal carbon footprint today.

Coming Soon with Knocknock: See your impact with every borrow. We know that small acts feel even better when you can see their effect. That’s why Knocknock is working on a brand-new in-app feature: an emissions tally for every item borrowed. Soon, you’ll be able to track how much CO₂ you’ve helped prevent. Whether it’s by borrowing a pressure washer, a party gazebo, or a set of gardening tools. You’ll also see how your borrowing adds up over time, giving you a live, feel-good snapshot of your climate impact. Because every borrow counts and we want to show you just how much.

Everyone can help turn the tide by playing their part. At Knocknock, we believe in community-powered sustainability. It’s not just about saving money (although that’s great too). It’s about knowing that every time you borrow instead of buy, you’re making a conscious choice for a healthier planet. Let’s build a world where resourcefulness beats wastefulness. Let’s borrow better and breathe easier.

References:

  • Belk, R. W. (2010). Sharing. Journal of Consumer Research, 36(5), 715–734.
  • Circle Economy. (2021). The Circularity Gap Report 2021. https://www.circularity-gap.world/2021
  • IPCC. (2023). Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/
  • UNEP. (2020). Emissions Gap Report 2020. United Nations Environment Programme.
  • WRAP. (2012). Valuing Our Clothes: the cost of UK fashion. (applicable methodology used to estimate sharing impact)