Last week, Alderman Arjen Kapteijns (Raw Materials) opened the exhibition “Spullenbak: Give Your Stuff a New Story” in the Atrium of City Hall. This exhibition focuses on the stories of craftspeople and artists who have given discarded items from the trash bin a new life. The exhibition is on view until November 15th.
” It’s inspiring to see how many people in The Hague are already committed to giving things a new life ,” says Alderman Kapteijns. ” We throw away over 200 million kilos of stuff in The Hague every year. It’s time we stopped seeing waste as just waste, and started seeing it as a resource for something new .”
Kapteijns continues: ” If we make that transition, we’ll take an important step toward a circular economy. This is not only good for the environment, but also creates jobs, strengthens the local manufacturing industry, and brings people together. The Spullenbak, which is central to the project, shows how things can be done differently and better. I invite all residents of The Hague to participate. “
About the exhibition
Spullenbak – Give Your Stuff a New Story explores the transformation of discarded items into unique, new objects in words and images. From plastic bags turned wallets to old socks that shine like new again. Each object tells a story of craftsmanship and the power of reuse.
Visitors are invited to reflect on their own consumption behavior and inspired to look at ‘waste’ differently: not as an end, but as a new beginning.
About the Spullenbak
The Spullenbak is a sustainable initiative of the municipality of The Hague that contributes to the transition to a circular economy. Residents and businesses in The Hague can donate items (such as egg cartons, socks, and plastic nets) they would otherwise throw away. These items are collected and delivered to local makers, who give them a second life. The Spullenbak currently has over 1,000 active users, of whom 300 full bins are returned monthly.
Residents of The Hague who want to request a waste bin can do so via
Photographer: Martine Borreman