The Welsh Government is encouraging people across Wales to visit their nearest Library of Things, a community hub where people can borrow items they need.
The nationwide campaign asks communities across Wales to think before buying as part of as part of Zero Waste Week (2-6 September).
Benthyg Cymru – Benthyg (ben-thig) means “to borrow or lend” in Welsh – is working to establish a Wales-wide Library of Things network to ensure everyone across the country can borrow what they need quickly, easily, and affordably.
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, recently visited RE:MAKE in Newport (the home of one of Benthyg Cymru’s Library of Things).
Irranca-Davies said: “Initiatives like Benthyg Cymru have an important role to play in moving Wales towards a more circular economy, conserving resources and slowing down unnecessary manufacturing.
“Community-driven initiatives, like Libraries of Things, are not just about borrowing tools – they are about building community, sharing ideas, and supporting one other.”
Community-driven initiatives, like Libraries of Things, are not just about borrowing tools – they are about building community, sharing ideas, and supporting one other.
Becky Harford, Co- Founder of Benthyg Cymru, explained the organisation’s mission: “Simply put, we have too much stuff! Let’s share it out.
“Not everyone in your neighbourhood needs a drill, not everyone has space to store things, and not everyone can afford to buy what they need.
“By borrowing, we can help each other and live more sustainably. Less stuff means less impact on the planet.”
Since its inception in 2017, Benthyg Cymru said it has helped establish 25 Library of Things across Wales, from Cardiff to Bethesda, with many more in development.
Since 2020, people across Wales have borrowed 13,000 items, from practical DIY tools to instruments and crafting equipment to learn new hobbies, Benthyg Cymru said.
Phoebe Brown, Director of Repair Café Wales said: “Repair Cafe Wales are so pleased to be supporting the Benthyg It! campaign.
“Repair Cafes and Libraries of Things work brilliantly together as many of the items we borrow need regular maintenance and occasional repairs which can be carried out by our skilled volunteers.
“The RE:MAKE Newport store is an innovative example of how bringing repair and borrowing together can create a thriving community resource, progressing our transition to the circular economy whilst supporting local people.”
Benthyg Cymru supports communities across Wales to develop their own Library of Things model, tailoring it to local needs.
The organisation also run their own projects such as RE:MAKE, which it describes as Wales’ “first” high street repair and reuse store, in partnership with Repair Café Wales.
