An almost equivalent model to renting is buy used/sell used. Because they biggest value loss of anything new happens during unboxing, the average loss between buying used and selling used is the transaction cost plus an approximation of actual wear and breakage. You won't get charged for not returning by this-and-that date.
Of course, if you are a tool hoarder like me you won't ever get further than buy used, but I guess that would still be "less stuff" than buying new.
On a related note, my favorite business that does not exist would be a chain of second hand stores that deals in all that "beach vacation crap" (inflatable rubber things, objects to enjoy and/or deal with sand/wind/sun etc) that tends to get hauled home just to die silently in an attic. It would absolutely have to be a chain to make experience transferable between destinations.
Of course, if you are a tool hoarder like me you won't ever get further than buy used, but I guess that would still be "less stuff" than buying new.
On a related note, my favorite business that does not exist would be a chain of second hand stores that deals in all that "beach vacation crap" (inflatable rubber things, objects to enjoy and/or deal with sand/wind/sun etc) that tends to get hauled home just to die silently in an attic. It would absolutely have to be a chain to make experience transferable between destinations.