Recycling & Donating

Maybe you are moving, maybe the kids have reached a new phase in their lives, maybe you are just having a good old clear-out.  But what to do with your “stuff”?

In other articles/blogs we have described trash collection and recycling for general waste, paper & cardboard, compostable material, plastic, chemical waste and the annual Christmas trees.  These items are collected or at least organized by your Gemeente.  You can contact them to find out about collection dates in your street.

This article focusses more on what you can do with your clothes and household goods.

Clothing (including shoes)

If the clothing is torn, has broken zips etc, there really is nowhere to donate.  In fact, you will be doing charities a disservice by donating as they will have to sort out these clothes from the usable ones, and then dispose of them.  If you can’t make something else out of the items or use the material for crafting, the only option left is the bin (general waste).

If the clothing is in good condition there are a number of options:

• Monthly collection by the Gemeente or appointed organisation. Collection dates available from your Gemeente.
• Placing them in a clothes bin, e.g. Goud Goed, Leger des Heils (=Salvation Army), which are dotted around towns.
• Second-hand stores. They may not have a need of what you are offering though.  Some stores may be willing to pay you if the clothes are designer and of top quality.
• Specific charities, such as for example Dorcas. If you look on their websites, they will direct you to drop off points and/or shops.
• Specific Drives. Every now and then, specific charities will organise a clothing drive to collect clothes for a specific targeted charity action.  Keep your eyes out for local and social media notifications.
• Ask around. There may be refugee families in your neighborhood, struggling families, or students in need.
• You can always try Marktplaats (the Dutch e-bay) or gratisaftehalen.nl (equivalent to freecycle).

Household linen

Most charities specifically exclude household linen such as curtains, towels, sheets and blankets.  However, the Leger des Heils bins do allow them; and blankets (clean, in good condition) are sometimes specifically wanted by some charities.  Check their websites.

Toys

• Try selling them in the street markets on Koningsdag (April 27^th)
• Try Marktplaats or Gratisaftehalen
• Leger des Heils bins will take soft toys
• Second-hand stores
• Ask around

Household goods

• Charity shops and second-hand goods stores, e.g. Mama Mini are particularly keen to take things like crockery, small electrical kitchen appliances, cooking pots and pans etc if in good condition
• Cleaning materials (even if opened) can be donated for example to the Free Café Groningen (see their website for collection points and times).
• Large electrical items. The best thing is to ring some second-hand stores to see if they are interested and if they will collect. If you cannot donate these, you will have to take them to the City dump (check the Gemeente’s website for locations) or pay for them to pick them up (by appointment only).
• If you have the time and the inclination try Marktplaats or Gratisaftehalen. Second-hand stores are generally not too keen unless the furniture is in pristine condition and something they know they will be able to shift easily.  Again, your best bet is to phone and negotiate.  Failing that, you will have to go the Gemeente-route.

Books

Some second-hand/charity book stores will now also take books in languages other than Dutch, e.g. ‘Books 4 Life’ (see their website or store in Paddepoel, Groningen).  Regular second-hand stores may be interested if the books are popular and in good condition and in Dutch or English.

Also try Social Media, in particular Ex-Pat groups.

 

In the words of ‘Bob the Builder’: REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE!