Olio (the world’s most popular sharing app)

Olio began in London by two friends as a food-sharing app, but now is a worldwide organisation that encourages people to share most things they don’t want or use, in an effort to build community, save money and save the planet! It has over 8 million users, and growing.

Before sharing food, read up on food safety for people and pets. Just bin scraps from alliums (onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives) and citrus/tomato/rhubarb scraps, as acids may harm compost creatures. 

If sharing plants or flowers, read our post on pet-friendly gardens. Also avoid displaying indoor plants to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.

The Lullaby Trust does not recommend donating (or buying) second-hand baby items like mattresses or car seats (and never use cot bumpers). Its site has more info on helping to prevent crib death (including safe sleeping advice, and how to stop over-heating).

How does Olio work? 

You basically download the app, take a photo of whatever you’re sharing, then set a pick-up location – whether that’s from your home (safe if you live within a close-knit neighbourhood), in a public location or in a hidden safe place.

The food-sharing app began to help use up food that would otherwise go to waste. It started as a way to use up food say in the fridge if someone was going on holiday or visiting hospital. But soon local groceries and bakeries were getting involved, even allotment holders with excess produce.

Today Olio users share safe items of all kinds – from books and kitchen ware (obviously it’s best to buy new or PAT-tested electrical appliances – you can recycle broken appliances at kerbside or at stores that sell you new ones – it’s the law they have to take back your old ones). Or even furniture.