BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
From raclette machines to petanque sets, many of us own things we barely use. French entrepreneur Lucie Basch has a joyful solution: a new app called Poppins that makes it easy to borrow or rent underused household items from neighbors. The idea is simple: “own less, have more.”
Basch, who previously launched the successful food waste app Too Good To Go, is now turning her attention to our cluttered closets and overstuffed cupboards. According to research cited by Basch, the average French person owns about 2.5 tonnes of objects, a third of which are never used. “It doesn’t make sense ecologically or economically,” she said.
With Poppins, users can list items they rarely need or borrow what they don’t want to buy. Think drills, kitchen mixers, baby cots, or that party-perfect chocolate fountain. Inspired by Mary Poppins’ magic carpet bag, the app aims to make neighborhood sharing just as wondrous.
Sharing for savings, sustainability, and connection
Launched in April, Poppins has already attracted 40,000 users across France. Listings include both free loans and rentals, with the app taking a small commission. Notably, around 65 percent of offers so far are free. Rental shops and local libraries are also included in the platform to widen access.
Basch says the benefits of the model are threefold: “If we make sharing normal, less is produced, which is ecological, we will spend less because it’s cheaper to rent or borrow, and we will be more social as we are talking to each other again.”
It’s a shift from linear to circular consumption. “The linear model doesn’t work anymore and destroys the planet,” she said. Big companies are beginning to take notice, with some even reaching out to explore rental-based models for white goods.
Poppins’ early success and popular picks
So what are people borrowing? Raclette machines top the list, followed by tents, camping gear, baby beds, party supplies, barbecues, and outdoor games. With summer holidays approaching, demand for travel and event gear is rising. Weapons and sex toys, however, are strictly off-limits. The app is moderated for safety and comfort.
Users don’t need to create an account to get started. Just search for what you need, set your radius, and discover local items available to rent or borrow. “You feel like a life hacker,” Basch said. “You can organize a whole party with rented stuff.”
Making sharing mainstream
Basch, who studied engineering at Centrale Lille, got the idea for her first app while working at Nestlé, where she witnessed shocking amounts of food waste. With Too Good To Go, she created a system to rescue unsold food, which now has over 100 million users in 19 countries.
With Poppins, she’s tackling another form of waste. “The beauty of sharing is it combines ecological, economic and social incentives,” she said. The app is set to launch in Belgium in 2026, with a UK debut planned shortly after.
With its focus on simplicity, community, and fun, Poppins is showing that a more circular way of living isn’t just possible; it might also be the most joyful.
