"YOU CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE THINGS YOU NEED WITHOUT IT COSTING THE EARTH."

ABOUT US

What is Borrow Don’t Buy?

 

Borrow Don’t Buy is Plymouth’s very own Library of Things (LoT). We are a community interest company with the mission of giving you affordable access to the things you need – whilst simultaneously benefitting the Earth.

We’re like a normal library, but with things instead of books! What sort of things? All the things you need…

Perhaps you’re doing some DIY and need a drill? Having friends over and want a projector to watch a film on? Fancy a spot of camping and need equipment? These are just a few of the things you can find at Borrow Don’t Buy!

Why buy a drill when you’ll only ever use it once? Sign up to become a Borrower, and for just a few pounds, borrow what you need, when you need!

With nearly 500 items in our ever-growing Inventory there’s a good chance we have something you could do with!

What do we want?

To help you with the following…

Save Money

Reduce Clutter

Reduce your Carbon Footprint

Share Knowledge and experience

Promote the repair and reuse of equipment instead of throwing it away

Inspire the people of Plymouth to create, innovate and engage in social change

Why do we want that?

Because we LOVE Plymouth and we want to help build the best city we can!  Sounds amazing, right? If you are interested in becoming a borrower or volunteering/helping out, get in touch. Let’s make it happen!

 

four steps TO BORROWING

ONE – Become a Borrower!

You can join Borrow Don’t Buy by filling in our online form. It is free to sign up, then you can chose the right membership for you!

TWO – Browse and reserve items!

Our inventory is available to view online and once you are signed up and have chosen your  membership you can reserve items.

THREE – Collect your items!

Come and collect from THINQTANQ, Fairbairn House, Higher Ln, PL1 2AN at your chosen time slot – press the BDB buzzer when you arrive!

FOUR – Return your items!

After using the items, simply return them on or before their due date (during our opening hours) clean and ready for the next borrower. 

WHERE TO FIND US

We are based in

THINQTANQ Co-working Space

 

Fairbairn House

Higher Lane, PL1 2AN

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Friday

9am – 6:30pm

 

By appointment only, no walk-ins

 

 

Still not sure how to get to us? Click HERE to see a video on how to get to THINQTANQ from Drake Circus.

GET EVERYONE ONLINE (GEO)

During 2020, the pandemic drastically highlighted the extreme digital poverty in Plymouth. Whilst BDB was temporarily closed, we partnered with Nudge Community Builders to bring upcycled tech to people who really need it. Local people donated unwanted devices which were refurbished, and then distributed to those most in need. This is now an on-going project helping to close the digital divide in Plymouth and continuing to make use of valuable resources already in circulation!

MORE INFORMATION

 

How-To’s & FAQ

Do you still have questions that need answering? We have covered our most asked questions about BDB and how to join it. Have a look and if you still have any queries, just get in contact with us.

GET INVOLVED

We are a community project run by volunteers and we love it!  Find out here the different ways you can collaborate with us (donations of items or money, time, reviews, a cup of tea or just high-fives)

REPAIR CAFÉ

Do you have things which need some TLC, or are a bit broken and you haven’t had the time or skills to fix them yourself? Repair Cafés are a great way to learn how to fix them, find out more below.

CONTACT US

 

If you would like to donate an item, please send us an email with the details to donations@borrowdontbuy.co.uk

Send us an e-mail: hello@borrowdontbuy.co.uk

Give us a call: 01752 393636

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

Our Partners and Supporters:

TT Logo

Awards:

Proud Finalist Plymouth Live Business Awards 2021
Finalist National Lottery Good Causes Project of the Year Award
Borrow Don't Buy