The latest news and updates from the access economy, and how item renting and sharing became that little bit easier in February 2026.
New sharing station roll-outs in Vesthimmerlands, Bergen and Amersfoort
Four new sharing stations launched across three European cities this month as part of the EU-funded Digital Kiosks project.
- In Vesthimmerlands (Denmark), two new sharing stations were installed in local public libraries, with more planned. Residents can borrow kitchen equipment, arts and crafts materials, sports items, themed “experience kits,” and more via simple self-service lockers.
- In Bergen (Norway), the city launched its first sharing station for lending outdoor equipment. In the “Milk Box” at BUA at Melkeplassen, residents can now borrow outdoor gear every day — and several similar stations will appear in parks across the city during spring and summer.
- In Amersfoort (the Netherlands), the city opened its first sharing station at Bibliotheken Eemland. Two additional stations are set to open at the end of March in Liendert (Valkenhorst) and Schothorst (Energiehuiskamer).
King Charles III visits branch of Library of Things in London
Library of Things received a high-profile moment this month as King Charles III visited Barking Learning Centre and borrowed “Knowles” the DIY toolkit. During the visit, he highlighted how sharing libraries can strengthen community ties while enabling cheaper, more sustainable ways of living. The visit also underlined a wider shift: Libraries of Things are increasingly being recognised as community infrastructure — supporting cost-of-living resilience and embedding circular economy services into high-street spaces such as libraries.
Government of the Netherlands commissions research into a national sharing and rental network
Rijkswaterstaat commissioned Nienke de Jong and Sami Angsthelm from the Access Economy Alliance, together with Harmen van Sprang from the Sharing Cities Alliance, to explore a central question: what is holding the sharing and rental economy back in the Netherlands — and how can it unlock its full potential?
The team mapped systemic barriers that keep sharing and rental models fragmented and fragile across the country, and co-created a vision for a national sharing network: a connected ecosystem designed to make renting and sharing visible, convenient and reliable for everyone. Their findings were summarised in a report published by Rijkswaterstaat.
BBC feature shows how the right partnerships can bring sharing into the spotlight
Library of Things partnered with 17 local authorities across London to offer residents free access to thermal imaging cameras. More than 600 people have already used the offer to identify quick fixes that make homes warmer and more energy efficient — helping reduce energy bills and improve comfort.
The initiative was featured in the BBC, giving Library of Things — and the wider sharing and rental economy — a boost in visibility. It is also a strong example of what can happen when local authorities and access-based providers work together to deliver practical benefits at scale.
New EU rules target the destruction of unsold clothes and shoes
The EU has introduced new rules to reduce the destruction of unsold consumer goods. Companies will be required to disclose information on the unsold products they discard as waste, and the rules include a ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear. This will apply to large companies from July 2026 and SMEs from 2030.
This development strengthens the wider policy direction towards keeping products in use for longer. For access-based business models, it is another signal that the regulatory environment is gradually aligning around circular outcomes.
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