It is that time of year again where organizations, businesses, schools and individuals from across the northern provinces are encouraged to take action to reduce waste.
This year, Groningen’s Week van het Afval (‘Week for Waste Reduction’) is running from October 29 through November 4, and we encourage you to get involved!
The theme for 2022 is “Reduce, Recycle, Repair” – which is suitably vague so pretty much anything goes. You could focus on:
- Reducing single-use items (including plastic bags and some products that seem to be appearing to replace them)
- Raising awareness about waste, especially plastic and electronic waste
- Repairing your old items and breathing new life into them
Repair Saturday
Alderwoman for circular economy Kirsten de Wrede will launch the Week for Waste Reduction at noon, October 29, at a repair café in the Forum. Four other similar cafés in various parts of the province will open their doors at the same time, too. Everyone is welcome, with or without broken appliances, clothes, bicycles or other items. There will also be a competition the same afternoon at the Vismarkt to determine who makes the most beautiful bike out of five bicycle wrecks.
Zero-waste pioneer on waste-free living
On Tuesday, November 1, zero-waste trailblazer and steadfast champion Emily-Jane Townley will give a talk in Groningen. In 2013, Ms Townley decided to radically change her life. Over the years, she has discovered, through trial and error, that waste-free living is hard but not impossible. Ms Townley is an entertaining speaker and source of inspiration for many. Her presentation will start at 7.30pm in the Rabozaal of Forum Groningen. Afterwards, there will be a Q&A with Alderwoman for City Management, Mirjam Wijnja. Admission is free.
If you want more information about the Week for Waste Reduction in Groningen, or want take part in its events, please visit www.haalallesuitjeafval.nl.
