Haarlem krijgt eerste zero-waste shop
Zojuist is de allereerste zero waste store in Haarlem geopend. oodles and pinches is nu gevestigd aan de Generaal Cronjéstraat 96.
oodles and pinches was eerder al te vinden in een van de containers in het pand BakkeRij met een kleine showroom, maar betrekt nu een pand in de welbekende winkelstraat in Haarlem-Noord. Eigenaresse Inge Echterhölter wil met haar zero-waste shop mensen helpen om een duurzamere leefstijl te hanteren.
Haarlemmers die willen bijdragen in de strijd tegen plastic vervuiling en zo milieuvriendelijk mogelijk willen leven, kunnen vanaf eind juli naar hartenlust hun zero-waste producten shoppen bij oodles and pinches, zoals plasticvrije deodorant, houten tandenborstels, shampoobars en herbruikbare wattenschijfjes.
In de winkel wordt een teller geplaatst waarop te zien is hoeveel plastic er per maand is bespaard door het gebruik van zero-waste artikelen. Ook kunnen geïnteresseerden er terecht voor hulp bij- en informatie over een milieubewust leven.
Crowdfunding
In eerste instantie zullen er alleen non-food producten verkrijgbaar zijn in de winkel, maar Inge hoopt daar snel voedselproducten zonder verpakking aan toe te voegen. Het is daarbij de bedoeling dat klanten hun eigen glazen potten, Tupperware bakjes of katoenen tassen meenemen om deze in de winkel te (her)vullen met bijvoorbeeld rijst, pasta, bonen, peulvruchten of havermout. Op die manier komt er geen (plastic) verpakking aan te pas, wat bijdraagt aan het milieu.
Om voedingsproducten op deze manier aan te kunnen bieden, zijn er grote glazen ‘gravity bins’ nodig. Dit zijn dispensers om het voedsel in te bewaren. Een kostbare investering, die Inge niet in haar eentje kan financieren. Om die reden heeft zij een crowdfunding gestart, waarbij zij hoopt op de steun van Haarlemmers en andere supporters van een milieubewuste leefstijl. In totaal is er een bedrag van €20.000,- nodig, wat volledig gebruikt zal worden om de benodigde gravity bins aan te schaffen. Mensen die willen helpen, kunnen een bedrag naar keuze storten via https://oodlesandpinches.nl/crowdfunding/.
25 miljoen ton plastic per jaar
Jaarlijks genereren Europese inwoners gezamenlijk 25 miljoen ton plastic afval. Minder dan 30% daarvan wordt ingezameld voor recycling. Over de hele wereld vormt plastic 85% van het zwerfvuil op het strand. In het huidige tempo zal de oceaan tegen 2025 naar verwachting 1 ton plastic bevatten voor elke 3 ton vis. In 2050 zal het gewicht aan plastic dat in de oceaan drijft het totale gewicht aan vis zelfs overschrijden. Om de ernstige milieuvervuiling tegen te gaan, ontstaan er steeds meer initiatieven om het gebruik van plastic te voorkomen.
Duitse trend
Inge komt oorspronkelijk uit Duitsland, waar zero-waste shopping al langer een grote trend is. In vrijwel alle grote Duitse steden zijn er inmiddels ‘packaging free’ winkels te vinden. Nederland loopt in dat opzicht nog achter, maar ook in onze steden verschijnen er de laatste jaren steeds meer zogenaamde ‘bulkwinkels’, waar klanten hun eigen potten en bakjes kunnen bijvullen. Haarlem mag zich nu met de komst van oodles and pinches officieel in dat rijtje scharen.
Over oodles and pinches
oodles and pinches begon drie jaar geleden als webwinkel met het aanbieden van zero-waste producten. Voor Inge en haar familie naar Nederland kwamen, woonden zij jarenlang in Oregon in Amerika, waar zij een ‘bulkwinkel’ in de buurt hadden. Vanaf dat moment besloot Inge bewuster te leven en het gebruik van plastic zoveel mogelijk te vermijden. Met oodles and pinches wil zij mensen helpen om ook een milieubewuste levensstijl te creëren door voorlichting te geven en zero-waste producten aan te bieden.
Wilt u meer informatie of vindt u het leuk om Inge te interviewen (in het Engels) voor een artikel? Neem dan contact met ons op via de chatknop rechtsonder.
Getting started with Zero Waste Lifestyle
You found out about Zero Waste Lifestyle and this new way of living resonates with your values. But since there so many resources out there (blogs and books for example) and a lot of recipes for things to make from scratch it can be somewhat overwhelming in the beginning.
Here is a list of easy things you can do to get started:
Separate organic waste
Replace disposable products
Declutter
Find 2nd hand shop
Find likeminded people
Other quick swaps for the beginning
Separate organics
Before you start digging in your trash can, make sure to separate your organic waste. You can buy a fancy compost bin somewhere or simply use a bucket with a lid. This bucket or bin you put next to your trash can and all organic waste goes in there except for meat and bones. So any type of veggie or fruit peels or cores, food leftovers, eggshells but also coffee grounds, tea (without the teabag), even the cardboard rolls from toilet paper.
Now find a way to get rid of the contents and that will greatly depend on what’s available in your area. Hopefully, you can get a green bin. Or even better you’ve got a garden and can make compost. If not, maybe a worm bin is for you. If all those options aren’t for you, maybe you can find a friendly neighbor who has and would be willing to take green scraps from you. Also, look for larger gardens in the area, maybe there is a compost option there?
Replace disposable products
We’ve grown used to disposable products up to the point that we’re not even realizing how much waste they create. Find the disposable products that you are using and consider switching to a reusable alternative. For example handkerchiefs: Maybe you can find some lovely cloth handkerchiefs at your local 2nd hand store, or maybe your grandma still has some she could share with you. Another example of a disposable item often used is the plastic straw. There are reusable alternatives made from bamboo, glass, and metal. The plastic shopping bag is also one disposable item that can easily be replaced with a reusable alternative. Or those plastic ear swaps! There are even reusable ear swaps available.
Declutter
There are often things in our homes that we either bought in the past or received as a gift, that we don’t use any longer. That happens with clothing and other things like electronics and toys and kitchen tools. Pick a time and date for your first decluttering session, like for example 2 hours on Sunday. And then review all the pieces of clothing in your closet. All of them. And for each item, ask yourself if you really need it. Or if you in reality wear it. Some things we just keep because they were gifted to us and we would feel guilty not keeping them. But there might be another person out there who would absolutely wear those pieces. So maybe you can let go of them?
Find a 2nd hand shop
After the decluttering session, you might have a bundle of things that you’re willing to let go of. Now you can either try to sell them online, give something to friends or find a nice 2nd hand shop where you can donate them. There is a list of 2nd hand shops and also online places where you can sell things in this Guide to Zero Waste in Haarlem.
When you’ve managed to find a nice 2nd hand shop make it a habit to look here for things you need. Many tools for the kitchen and books and toys can easily be found in 2nd hand shops. And if you have kids, 2nd hand shops will save you a ton of money since kids are growing like weeds and need new clothes all the time.
Find likeminded people on the journey to Zero Waste
Everything is easier together. Once you’ve done the steps above, you’ll be ready to look into the details, product by product. It can take time to find a good alternative solution for so many things but if you find a group of people that are on the same lookout, you can help each other out. So maybe consider joining a Zero Waste Group. There is one specific for Haarlem and one for Amsterdam. Both are in English. If you’re looking for a Zero Waste Group in Dutch, have a look at Zero waste/less waste Nederland.
Other quick swaps for the beginning are:
- Switch from liquid soap and shower gel to soap bars. You can even ditch the shampoo and conditioner bottle and use shampoo bars and conditioner bars which your hair will love.
- Rethink your dental care. There are lots of options to get rid of the plastic in that area too: Bamboo toothbrushes, plastic-free floss, plastic-free toothpaste…. Click here for zero waste dental care.
- And how about plastic-free deodorant (also vegan and free of any nasty ingredients btw.)
One important point to always keep in mind:
Don’t get stressed out in the process! You don’t have to be perfect, it is not a contest.
Every thing you can change for the better is just that: it’s better!
Guide to Zero Waste in Haarlem
A word upfront: This page is work in progress.
This is a growing guide for eco-friendly living and going zero waste in Haarlem. It will be updated and added to. So it’s worth checking back again over time. And if you happen to know a location or business that would fit well on this list, just let me know.
If you’re a business owner and would like to be considered for this list, send me a message as well.
Second Handshops in Haarlem
Mooizooi
This is simply an amazing place! You’ll find here preowned Materials for handcrafts including paint, buttons, fabric, paper… a ton of stuff. Please check it out! And you can also donate materials! Link
Thrift Rataplan Haarlem
A large 2nd hand shop with a huge clothing section, shoes, toys, kitchen things, some furniture and many, many books. There are two locations in Haarlem: Werfstraat and Zijlstraat
Bijna Gratis Markt
This 2nd hand shop is across the street from Rataplan Zijlstraat. It’s smaller but they have really nice finds there. So if you go to Rataplan, definitely stop by at Bijna Gratis Markt as well! Link
Kringloopwinkel Paleis Noord
One of the genuin thriftstores in Haarlem: good prices, she supports several charities as well as the community and has true heart! Link
Eigenwijs
Lovely little kids clothing 2nd hand store in the city center with good quality products. Link
Buy things packaging free
Simon Lévelt coffee and Tea
You can bring your own jar or container for coffee and tea at Simon Lévelt. Two locations: Gierstraat (Link) and Barteljorisstraat (Link).
Bakkerij Kuin
Good bread and pastry and you are welcome to use your own bags. Link
Sogno di pasta
Bring your own container for different types of fresh and packaging free pasta, ravioli and variety of olives. There is also a selection of olive oil on tap available. Bring your own clean bottle or get one there. You’ll get a discount each time your bring a bottle. Link
oodles and pinches
An ever growing range of Zero Waste Products for bathroom, cleaning, kitchen, baby, on the go… Find vegan & cruelty, plastic free, natural products and as local as possible. Check out the Market Day page to find the oodles and pinches market stand in Haarlem.
Check out the shop: Link
Lush
Packaging free cosmetic products with wide range of soaps and bath bombs. Not every ingredient is natural though so check the ingredients list. They welcome customers with their own containers. Link
Facebook groups
Zero Waste Haarlem
Definitely join this group! You can ask questions, get inspiration, find events and likeminded people for Zero Waste Lifestyle topics specific to Haarlem. Link
Buy & Sell Amsterdam
Huge group with mostly English offers. Link
Gratis spullen gezocht en aangeboden in Haarlem
Dutch group for things that are given away for free. You can also ask if someone wants to give away what you’re looking for. Link
Gratis af te halen
Dutch group for free things. Link
Haarlem Buy & Sell
Mostly English in this group. Buy or Sell products in Haarlem. Link
Zero Waste Blogs
Waste Land Rebel | wastelandrebel.com | English and German |
Zero Waste Home | zerowastehome.com | English |
Trash is for Tossers | trashisfortossers.com | English |
Going Zero Waste | goingzerowaste.com | English |
Het Zero Waste Project | hetzerowasteproject.nl | Dutch |
Awkward Duckling | awkwardduckling.nl | Dutch |
Other helpful web links:
World overshoot day Learn more about world overshoot day, our resources and how to make it better. Link
There is even a calculator where you can calculate your own personal overshoot day. Link
Hautschutzengel: Find out what’s in your cosmetic products. This page is written in German but google translate can translate it for you. Either find the product in there or add a product and then you can see how good the ingredients are for your body. Link
New business boosts Zero Waste Lifestyle in Haarlem, Netherlands
Since plastic pollution finds it’s way into the general media more often these days, Zero Waste Lifestyle gains traction. Around the world articles about Zero Wasters appear in magazines and new books get published helping newbies finding their way into the Lifestyle.
Zero Waste Lifestyle in Haarlem gets a kick start
The newly founded business oodles and pinches sets out to help beginning and advanced zero wasters on their journey towards a Zero Waste Lifestyle. It aims to offer any product, be it reusable or consumable, for the Lifestyle and to make it the most convenient possible for it’s customers.
What does that mean actually?
Inge E., founder of oodles and pinches, explains:
Bulk products delivered to Haarlem Residents in reusable containers will be the heart and soul of the company. The initial product range circles around anything in the bathroom and includes liquid bulk products used in the bathroom, zero waste dental care products, a range of zero waste hair care products and plastic free body care products.
“Embarking on the journey towards Zero Waste can be fun and rewarding. I want to help people to get started and to make it so easy and convenient that the changes stick. Since everyone is different and has different preferences and needs, it’s important to me to offer not only the obligatory reusable straw for example but a good variety of options so that everyone can find the perfect solution for themselves.“, says Inge.
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