An Ode to Olio: Commemorating 500 Days of Olio Odyssey
The beginning
It’s been over 500 days since I first downloaded Olio. 504, to be exact, since I stumbled upon a little gem in the Student Beans newsletter that mentioned tips on saving money on groceries. 504 days since I marvelled at how a simple idea, when executed well, can simultaneously impact thousands of individual lives and planetary health.
But what exactly is Olio? Far from being just another generic app, Olio is a versatile marketplace where people can post their preloved items or surplus food, fostering connections and promoting sustainability. Intrigued by the article featuring a student who spent only £5 a month on groceries, I downloaded Olio for its money-saving potential. However, the treasures I discovered in the non-food items section made Olio an integral part of my life. Olio had everything from books to bowls, plants to plates, tables to tupperwares — exactly the things one needs to buy when moving to a new city (like me 500 days ago).
My first Olio request was a rug; with it, my Olio odyssey began. Olio tells me I have collected 67 items so far, but the first few collections hold the dearest memories. Sophia* (name changed) posted a bunch of kitchenware to share, and I received a blender, a food processor, seven pristine blue bowls, and two small white plates from her. I even shared four bowls and the blender with my friend, who was over the moon. It was a treasure. For students like us who were settling into a new city with only a single set of cutlery, a food processor and so many bowls was not just a bargain, but a luxury. I’ll never forget Jay* who shared an electric mattress topper that became my only companion during my miserable period cramps and the unforgivingly cold London winters. Also, forever thankful to Salma* who shared the handheld vacuum cleaner (or hoover as they say in the UK), and I no longer needed to carry the heavy Dyson hoover up and down the stairs while cleaning the house. Also, I have no words to thank Nadia* who gave me a cloth rail rack, which was quite a lifesaver to organise a room with no cupboards. These items would have never made it into my shopping list, but Olio made them accessible. These weren’t must-haves but made my budget-friendly student life a bit comfortable.
In essence, Olio offers a simple solution by connecting community users who have surplus food or items they no longer require with those seeking or willing to buy them. From an economic perspective, Olio addresses a classic market failure: information asymmetry. Through this platform and thousands of active users, Olio improves resource allocation efficiency, bringing users closer to a Pareto optimal outcome. And this market failure isn’t limited to a specific society; it is prevalent in most societies worldwide!
Let’s take my family in Kathmandu for example. Here, sharing hand-me-down clothes among siblings and cousins is common, yet avenues to share pre-loved items beyond close family are limited. Frequently, functional items like shelves, books, kitchen utensils, and clothing are stored for years, sometimes until they lose their value, as we wait for opportunities for sharing. Olio provides a unique platform to bridge this gap by facilitating the exchange of pre-loved or surplus items within a community that values the functional value of goods, embedding the circular economy in everyday life.
The transition
Fast forward 470 days, as I prepared to relocate cities, it was time to bid farewell to some of my cherished Olio treasures — marking the beginning of a new Olio journey. Passing on some of these treasures to other Olio users was surprisingly more liberating than anticipated. Listing the drawer I had received from another Olio user and seeing three people interested in taking it, the journey with Olio felt like a circle. The drawer has now found a new home. Realizing that the new owner’s marginal utility of having the drawer is greater than mine has eased the letting go process, even for cherished belongings. Knowing that the drawer continues to enhance someone else’s day has deepened my appreciation for the ethos of sharing, and the thousands of people making this circular community possible. Little did I anticipate encountering this vibrant community of circular economy enthusiasts in the hustling bustling London and transforming my life.
Well, the food processor and bowls are integral parts of my kitchen, while the jam bottles continue to store ground spices. My childhood wishes for a jewellery stand and a tall lamp in my room, once the pinnacle of luxury, have been fulfilled courtesy of Olio. While I cherish these items now, I am prepared to pass them on to others when I relocate, knowing that they’ll continue bringing joy to their new homes just as they did to mine.
Currently, I find myself in the third phase of my Olio journey, volunteering as a Food Waste Hero. I collect unsold food items within their use by dates from supermarket chains and grocery stores like Tesco and Pret and redistribute them in my community. I help reduce others’ grocery bills, as the Student Beans article indicated, reduce food waste and foster community connections. This experience has been heart-warming, filled with smiles and words of gratitude. Each encounter with other Olio users reminds me of the tangible impact I have had by rescuing and redistributing food.
However, as much as I find joy in supporting Olio and the circular economy, I’m acutely aware that I’m only addressing a symptom of the larger problem. Food waste, particularly in urban societies, is a systemic issue that requires institutional interventions. My volunteering with Olio serves as both a meaningful contribution and a constant reminder of the need for broader systemic solutions.
Recently, I signed up to be an Olio ambassador as well, even if I’ve been the biggest advocate of Olio for the last 504 days without any official titles. All my friends use Olio. I’m excited to show my new Olio treasures whenever we meet, earning me the title “Olio Queen”, a title I wear with pride. It’s funny how it all began with a chance encounter with the Student Beans email newsletter 504 days ago!
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