GreenVET pathway

Someone taking a book out of a sharing books shelf

Sharing Space in School

A sharing space is a dedicated area where students and staff can exchange or borrow items like books, clothes, tools, and kitchen supplies, reducing waste and supporting sustainability. This encourages a culture of reuse, helps save money, and builds a stronger, more caring school community.

Key People and Partners Involved

• School management
• Facilities/groundskeeping staff
• Students
• Teachers

Description of the practice

Sharing spaces bring the idea of sustainability to everyday life by giving students and staff easy access to shared resources instead of everyone buying or hoarding their own. Whether it’s textbooks, uniforms, cooking utensils, or tools, these items get a second life when they’re borrowed, swapped, or donated. For vocational schools, this means practical savings, less waste, and learning to manage resources responsibly.

This approach fits well with a whole institution sustainability strategy because it encourages cooperation and responsibility across all parts of the school. Students, teachers, and staff all contribute to maintaining and using the sharing space, helping to build a culture of trust and care. Plus, sharing supports social inclusion by making essential items accessible to everyone, regardless of personal budget.

Besides reducing consumption and waste, sharing spaces create opportunities for peer learning and community bonding. Students might exchange study materials, share professional tools, or lend kitchen equipment for events, turning the school into a hub of mutual support. It"s a simple yet powerful way to live out sustainability values every day.

Where it’s being implemented

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Impact and Results

• Reduced need for buying new items, lowering school and student expenses.
• Less waste going to landfill by promoting reuse and sharing.
• Greater sense of community and cooperation among students and staff.
• Increased awareness and practice of sustainable consumption.
• Enhanced access to resources for all, supporting equity and inclusion.

Implementation Tips and Insights

• Choose a visible, accessible spot for the sharing space to encourage use.
• Set simple rules for borrowing, returning, and donating items.
• Involve students in managing the space to build ownership and responsibility.
• Promote the space regularly through announcements, posters, or social media.
• Organize swap events or drives to keep the space stocked and active.