TALENT

Just Getting Started

Being Neighbourly x Andrea Springmann, Don't Throw Me

Author/ Being Neighbourly
19 February 2025

The hardest part is simply getting started,” says Andrea Springmann. Along with friends and, since 2019, business partners Barbara Engo-Aranha and Erin Kim, she co-founded Don’t Throw Me (DTM), a platform that emerged from their “deep concern about our unsustainable lifestyles and a desire to talk less and take action!”

“We recognized the urgent need to transition from a linear economy to a circular one. For example, did you know that the textile industry is the second-largest polluter globally, and, in Hong Kong alone, over 340 tons of textiles go to landfills every single day?” Springmann asks.

While these kinds of statistics can be daunting, Springmann says they choose not to, and, by extension, we should not, succumb to feelings of helplessness. Instead, she says she and her co-founders aim to empower individuals to take meaningful action in their daily lives. “We believe that every action, no matter how small, has significance,” she says.

The DTM mission, says Springmann, is to extend the life of products and reduce waste within our community, while their goal is to make second-hand goods accessible and affordable for everyone, encouraging people to ‘Buy Better, Buy Less and Pass it On’ (in much the same vein as Buy Nothing groups, the vast majority of which in Hong Kong were founded by the creators of Being Neighbourly!).

The trio first connected through mutual friends in their children’s primary school community. What started as casual encounters blossomed into friendship as they discovered shared values and concerns regarding sustainability in Hong Kong.

“We believe every item possesses intrinsic value, and discarding it means losing that potential,” says Springmann, adding that, in a city like Hong Kong where 20% of the population lives below the poverty line, they feel they can make a difference by facilitating the trading of items within the DTM marketplace. As she explains, sellers have the option to donate a portion of their earnings to charity, allowing individuals to positively impact those in need using items that would otherwise remain unused.

“We provide practical solutions for individuals, schools and corporations on their sustainability journeys through a holistic approach,” Springmann says, adding that their platform features a secondhand marketplace where the community can not only sell, but buy, swap and donate items, ensuring that secondhand items remain in circulation and out of landfills.

Unbeknown to many, the DTM platform also offers a free directory of vetted repair vendors to help prolong the life of possessions, whereby users can connect with professionals to reimagine pre-loved clothing, jewellery and furniture to suit their taste; and, according to Springmann, education is central to their messaging, “We conduct workshops for corporations and schools, providing actionable ways to promote sustainability in our daily lives,” says Springmann, adding that community events are a favourite action point.

How does DTM distinguish itself? “Through our innovative swapping approach, bridging the gap between donors and recipients,” says Springmann. “Our platform facilitates multiple swaps using a credit system rather than money, appealing particularly to younger audiences. Our marketplace covers the entire household from your kitchen to your bedroom, ensuring that there is something for every member of your family.”

For them, every new signup and every item posted on their marketplace is a win, with each interaction bringing them closer to building a more sustainable community.

“In a fast-paced city like Hong Kong, it is challenging to encourage individuals to take just a few moments to sign up and list their items. Many seek quick fixes, such as large donation drop-offs, unaware that the majority of the donated items end up in landfills,” says Springmann.

But to effect positive change, the trio agree that there are no quick fixes: we have to actively shift habits. According to them, though, the process is more manageable than it seems. The hardest part is getting started.

What is the best work advice you have received?

“We would say that more than getting advice from people, the lessons we’ve learned from our varied experiences have helped us in our journey as a team,” says Andrea Springmann, adding that keeping an open mind and finding creative solutions is something that they have always tried to do as a team. We are a diverse group and are able to have productive discussions around critical topics.”

“It’s really important to celebrate all our wins, acknowledging every achievement, no matter how small. This keeps us motivated and ready to tackle the next challenge,” adds Erin Kim.

“Setting clear and measurable goals keeps us focused. It’s important to create weekly routines to ensure that we consistently allocate time for what matters most to us,” says Barbara Engo-Aranha.

Don’t Throw Me
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