Circularity is about dealing with materials differently. About reuse, but also about reducing raw material use and making materials more sustainable. One of the projects in the annual plan is the 'Hilversum Repairs' campaign. More and more Hilversum residents are having their products repaired. For example, we know from the residents' panel that 50% of Hilversum residents prefer to have products repaired if possible. The most frequently mentioned reason for this is that throwing away is a shame.
In addition, 70% of these Hilversumers indicate that more information is needed about where in Hilversum you can have your things repaired. The Hilversum Repareert website and the campaign help with this. Councilor Bart Heller - who today took his shoes to Schoenmaker Hakky for repair - also thinks so.
Reduce waste mountain
“With Hilversum Repareert we want to let residents enjoy their products for longer and at the same time reduce the waste mountain,” says councilor Heller. “On Hilversum Repairs you can find addresses of clothing, shoe, electrical appliance and furniture repairers. I found a good place to have my shoes repaired via the website.” Shoemaker Yordi Kamer: “Many people know that you can have classic shoes resoled and repaired, but not that sneakers can also be easily repaired and refurbished. We see more and more young people who find repairing a more sustainable and cheaper alternative than buying new. In addition, we also notice that many people are attached to their sneakers and therefore opt for a second life.”
Councilor Heller: “We will set up a follow-up campaign in the coming months. We show how attractive the repair industry is. In this way we hope to convince more people to enter the repair profession. We also plan to hand out 600 repair vouchers to Hilversumers. With these vouchers we want to encourage people to have their items from three repair streams (clothing, electronics and furniture) repaired instead of throwing them away.”
Upcycling
Arno Scheepers, councilor for Economy: “I am very happy with our Hilversum companies and organizations that work circularly, such as the Upward Foundation, which recently received the official status of 'Circular Craft Center'. Opelijk makes unique furniture from recycled materials that they find on the street and in construction containers. School classes regularly visit them for a lesson in Upcycling and more and more private individuals are finding their way to Opbaas for recycled wood and refurbished furniture. The foundation works together with the GAD, the Repair Café and the municipality and inspires others who want to get started with reuse. They recently received a 'Sustainability Award' in the reuse category.”
The Annual Plan also includes many other projects and activities. For example, the municipality itself purchases circularly and we are increasingly building circularly. This means that no glue or sealant is used during construction. Building parts can therefore be detached again. Furthermore, materials used in public spaces are reusable.