Digital platform promotes the reuse of items in good condition

The platform "Dar e Reutilizar" (aka, "Give and Reuse") was established in Porto during lockdown, and the goal is to combine solidarity purposes and environmental awareness, as regards consumption impetus. Thus, garments, furniture, toys, household appliances or even tools are some of the items that can be found in this space devoted to promoting the reuse of goods and materials and to boosting sustainability. 

Marketing professional Kristine Vuhta, from Latvia, but residing in Porto for over eight years now, had this idea during lockdown , when she was storing and organising her own household and came across good condition items she would no longer need. Jointly with designers from Porto, Laura Martins and António Fontão, and the platform was brought to life under the motto "Dar e Reutilizar - Deixa o que não usas. Leva o que necessitas" ["Give and Reuse - Leave what you don't use. Take what you need", free translation].

What makes this a different digital platform from the ones already in the market is that it does not involve Money and it enable users to keep anonymity - either the one that gives and the one that takes and all the goods/items submitted to the platform undergo scrutiny and quality control by the administrators.

"Anonymously, we insert any item in the platform, which someone will reuse and those interested communicate with the owner of that item through the platform's internal chat, where they assert pickup and delivery", explains Laura Martins, manager and project designer. "Anything that is in minimum good condition to be reused will be included in our platform", furthers Kristine Vuhta, adding that "the purpose is to boost mentality change while promoting solidarity and sustainability regarding the environment".

Item submission and viewing is free. Should anyone be interested in reusing any item displayed, a site subscription is necessary and the cost is symbolic: 1.99€, which grants bimonthly validity.