110 L. DoBIGNY AND M. SAHAKIAN
Case stuDy: pumpipumpe 1
The case study selected for Switzerland demonstrates how initiatives
can focus on changes in everyday life situations, towards an overall aim
of reducing (energy) consumption, but not based solely on information campaigns around energy or the introduction of more efficient
appliances. Launched in Switzerland in 2012, Pumpipumpe is a platform to promote the sharing of appliances and other household items
between neighbours. According to Sahakian (2017), the two founders
were sharing a workspace in 2012 when they came up with the idea
of creating a way for people to share everyday household items. In
developing a sharing platform, the duo decided to work at the level of
neighbourhoods, where they saw enormous potential. They came up
with the idea of using the mailbox as a personal space and communication tool: the Pumpipumpe sticker system allows people to place
specially designed labels directly on their mailbox, illustrating different
household items (e.g. drill, ladder, books, and toys) that they are willing to share.
Methods for Intervention
The aim of the project Pumpipumpe is to reduce the purchase of household items while promoting the sharing of consumer goods and community relations. A secondary objective is to prompt a change in how
products are designed, with longevity-by-design in mind. The social
dimensions of this initiative are put forward: sharing takes place through
local networks, improving social interaction in urban neighbourhoods
in geographic communities of place rather than solely online. An online
platform was also launched allowing participants to order stickers, and
more recently, in 2015, access an online interactive map, where people can see what items are available for sharing in their neighbourhood.
Stickers can also be ordered in partner shops, from Pumpipumpe ambassadors, or from individuals who purchase several sheets of stickers to
share with their contacts.
1 http://www.pumpipumpe.ch.
Case stuDy: pumpipumpe 1
The case study selected for Switzerland demonstrates how initiatives
can focus on changes in everyday life situations, towards an overall aim
of reducing (energy) consumption, but not based solely on information campaigns around energy or the introduction of more efficient
appliances. Launched in Switzerland in 2012, Pumpipumpe is a platform to promote the sharing of appliances and other household items
between neighbours. According to Sahakian (2017), the two founders
were sharing a workspace in 2012 when they came up with the idea
of creating a way for people to share everyday household items. In
developing a sharing platform, the duo decided to work at the level of
neighbourhoods, where they saw enormous potential. They came up
with the idea of using the mailbox as a personal space and communication tool: the Pumpipumpe sticker system allows people to place
specially designed labels directly on their mailbox, illustrating different
household items (e.g. drill, ladder, books, and toys) that they are willing to share.
Methods for Intervention
The aim of the project Pumpipumpe is to reduce the purchase of household items while promoting the sharing of consumer goods and community relations. A secondary objective is to prompt a change in how
products are designed, with longevity-by-design in mind. The social
dimensions of this initiative are put forward: sharing takes place through
local networks, improving social interaction in urban neighbourhoods
in geographic communities of place rather than solely online. An online
platform was also launched allowing participants to order stickers, and
more recently, in 2015, access an online interactive map, where people can see what items are available for sharing in their neighbourhood.
Stickers can also be ordered in partner shops, from Pumpipumpe ambassadors, or from individuals who purchase several sheets of stickers to
share with their contacts.
1 http://www.pumpipumpe.ch.