April 27, 2024 at 11:07 am
Sustainability
ZEIST / REGION On April 27, many Dutch people go out to celebrate King’s Day. A significant number of people sell or buy old household goods on this holiday, such as CDs, books, clothes, toys and household appliances. A study by the OPEN Foundation, known for Wecycle and Wecycle for companies, shows that 82%* of Dutch people think that King’s Day teaches children to be smart with their belongings. 36%* of Dutch people even consider King’s Day to be the most sustainable holiday of the year, and 94% of respondents know that electrical appliances left over on King’s Day must be handed in for recycling.
On average, 33% of sellers expect to sell between 10 and 50 euros worth of items during King’s Day. In addition, 34% hope for a return of between 50 and 100 euros.
FREE MARKET
82% of Dutch people believe that the free market on King’s Day teaches children to be smart with their belongings, under the guise of ‘learned young, done old’. In addition, about 77% think it is a good example of how Dutch people deal with their unused items in a smart way, and that you can find good deals on April 27.
King’s Day is a particularly important day for the OPEN Foundation when it comes to recycling electrical appliances. We’re all familiar with the situation: cupboards and drawers full of old mobile phones, corded or battery-powered toys, game consoles or outdated audio equipment. On April 27, many people go out to score good bargains. It is therefore an excellent opportunity for sellers to empty the cupboards, earn some extra money and be sustainable at the same time.
WHO BUYS WHAT?
The research, conducted by Markteffect, shows that both men (51%) and women (54%) look for books, music and videos on King’s Day. It is striking that clothing and (non-electric) toys are much higher on the priority lists of women than for men during this festive day. On the other hand, electrical appliances, electric toys and lamps score significantly higher among men.
LEFTOVER DEVICES
For 93% of respondents it is clear that electrical appliances must be returned separately for recycling. This is done, for example, at the thrift store (33%), the recycling center (30%) or at a Wecycle return bin (21%). In addition, many people still try to sell the products (28%) or give them away (28%).
MUNICIPALITIES
No fewer than 88% of Dutch people consider it important or very important that their municipality provides support for information and collection of electronic waste after the free market on King’s Day.
Many municipalities facilitate this with an extra opening of the recycling center or extra long opening hours and inform residents about collection points, for example via their social media channels or the local newspaper.
The OPEN Foundation, known for Wecycle and Wecycle for companies, is also calling on a campaign to recycle electrical appliances via, for example, the recycling center or Wecycle return points.
Steven van Eijck, chairman of the OPEN Foundation: “We wish everyone a happy King’s Day and good luck when you sell. Do you have discarded equipment at the end of the day; then hand it in at a Wecycle return point.
