From Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November, Apeldoorn will be hosting Zero Waste Winter Week. During the ninth edition of this multi-day themed week, you’ll discover how small steps can contribute to a better, greener living environment and save you money. This year, the week coincides with the national Climate Week and offers a varied programme including a clothes and toys swap, workshops, nature walks and information on energy saving.
Swapping a jigsaw puzzle, mending an item of clothing, making something lovely yourself from discarded items, or heading out to get to know nature better: there’s plenty to discover during Zero Waste Winter Week. Organisations, initiatives and volunteers in Apeldoorn are showing that living sustainably doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it can be inspiring, enjoyable and full of surprises!
The programme offers something for everyone, whatever their interests or age. For example, you can swap toys during St Nicholas Swap at De Stolp Community Centre, giving clothes a new lease of life during the clothing swap at CODA, or get stuck in yourself to sort through the items salvaged from the skip upcycling into new gems.
There’s plenty to discover outdoors too. Among other things, there’s a mushroom walk with the Mushroom Man and a Forest café with forest manager Tim. Anyone who prefers a hands-on approach can take part in the event on 8 November Zero Waste Week Plogrun and help keep Apeldoorn clean.
In addition, there is a focus on energy and sustainability. For example, residents can turn to a information fair on insulation and an information evening on the abolishing the net metering scheme. The National Sustainable Homes Route and the Technology Made Tangible These days form part of the programme.
Sustainable living is also about the choices we make at the dinner table and the materials we use. During the Vega Friday Pizza & Film Night at the Pizzabakkers and Gigant, plant-based food and the film Eat More Trees together. And at Het Loo Palace, visitors can take part in the workshop Naturally White! and the accompanying exhibition discover. Both activities offer a different way of learning to engage more mindfully with nature and materials.
Zero Waste Week is all about living a waste-free life. At its heart are the five Rs of Zero Waste: Refuse (refuse), Reduce (reduce), Reuse (reuse), Recycle (recycling) and Rotten (composting).
This approach goes beyond simply sorting waste. It is precisely by using things for longer, sharing and repairing them, and making conscious choices that we can prevent waste. This is good for our environment and can also help us save money.
The Zero Waste Apeldoorn Foundation is organising the week in collaboration with local partners, organisations and residents’ initiatives. By sharing their knowledge, ideas and activities, they make it easier for residents to take action themselves.
View the full programme at the Zero Waste Apeldoorn website.
