Jessica Pautsch believes that people generate way too much waste. “I’m currently working on a project that will help us reduce our food waste” says Jessica. “And consumer values have shifted from owning to renting, which helps us all become more sensitive to buying – and throwing away – stuff.”
If the success of companies like Airbnb, Car2Go and Uber are any indication, then she’s absolutely right. Not only have stagnating wages, inflation, the rising cost of education and other basic services made home and car ownership more expensive, outright ownership has become a less efficient way of getting access to these resources, she believes. And Jessica’s not alone in thinking this. Many people are frustrated at how their spare bedrooms or cars go unused during most of the year.
You may have heard of Airbnb, which is a company that connects home-owners with travelers who want to rent their empty bedrooms, giving hotels a run for their money. And you may have heard of Uber, which allow car-owners to make money by ferrying people back and forth across town, much like any conventional taxi but at a lower price. Now there’s, TURO, a new San Francisco-based player (formerly known as RelayRides) that combines the best of these two worlds. The idea behind TURO is that people can rent out their cars to others, much like Airbnb, without having to drive people around themselves.
As an advocate of sustainable development, Jessica says that these type of disruptive businesses help reduce the amount of waste that we generate. Airbnb, for example, solves the problem of expensive traveler accommodation, and makes the establishment of new hotels that consume lots of power & water (think of how many towels and sheets it has to launder each day) less critical. And services like TURO, which allow owners to rent out their vehicles, effectively replace 8 cars for every vehicle that is rented out according to a company spokesperson. That’s means that there’s less need for people to buy even more cars, which can clog our road systems.
Jessica also believes that a revolution is underway. “People have become disillusioned with how the world is using its resources,” she says. As a result, a number of enterprising business owners have found innovative ways to monetize these under-utilized assets. And people have responded with their wallets. They’re learning the advantages of renting – as opposed to owning – and become more careful about generating needless waste. It’s a big sea change that is affecting all of us and helping the world better cope with a growing population and the rising amount of waste that typically comes along with it.
Listen to Jessica Pautsch talk about this revolution in consumption and waste disposal at TEDxStanleyPark on May 28, 2016. You can book your tickets now at TEDxStanleyPark and type in ‘George’ in the promo code box to get $20.00 off.
Photo Credit
Photo courtesy of Jessica Pautsch – All Rights Reserved
Guest Author Bio
George Verdolaga
George Verdolaga is an author, educator and speaker. He helps people get out of their own way so that they can reach their career and lifestyle goals faster and more efficiently via The Job Farmer and The Contractor Lifestyle books and his Sitting Pretty Course.
Read his blog here and be sure to subscribe to his e-Newsletter.
Blog / Website: Verdolaga Learning Systems
Recent Guest Author Articles:
- Simple Ways to Help Your Scared Dog Feel Safe Again
- Men in Nursing and the Redefinition of Strength, Compassion, and Career Success
- Lord of the Pings: The Fellowship of Remote Workers
- Homeownership in 2025: Financial Options Every Homeowner Should Know
- Philosophy in Plato’s Footsteps
Please Share Your Thoughts - Leave A Comment!