Laifhacks: good for your wallet and the planet!

Honestly. The circular economy may sound like something far removed from your daily life, but here’s the spoiler: you’re probably already doing it without realising. Repairing items, swapping with neighbours, scoring second-hand deals or simply throwing away less. That’s all part of the circular economy. And it also saves you money. During the Week of the Circular Economy, you can discover clever laifhacks and inspiring events that show just how easy it is to live a circular lifestyle.

“A few years ago, someone tipped me off: cut open the top of a roll of toilet paper and use the bag for the bin next to the toilet. Why didn’t I think of that before?”, thought Manon Prins, organiser of Circula-wattes?!. “This is exactly the kind of tip that lets everyone take a small step that’s better for the environment. You reuse plastic, save on a new bag and save money.”

Empty peanut butter jar

There are so many simple tips you can share with others. For example, store screws in an empty peanut butter jar for your next DIY project. Or join a clothing loop: a clothing chain where bags filled with clothes travel around a neighbourhood. You can drop off and pick up clothes without even leaving your street!”, Manon explains. “The best part? During the Week of the Circular Economy, everyone can share their own laifhacks and stand a chance to win a Lutje local voucher worth €150!”

“Let’s not make a fuss about complicated terms”

“With our laifhacks, we show that living a circular lifestyle isn’t complicated at all. I could talk all day about circularity, but let’s not make a fuss about complicated terms. Often, you’re already doing more than you think. I recently asked a group of students: who buys sustainable clothing? No one responded. But when I asked: who buys second-hand clothes? Almost everyone raised their hand.”

Circula-wattes?!

During Circula-wattes?! the Week of the Circular Economy, you’ll discover even more ways to make a difference than you might already be doing. For example, you can visit the Bouwhub, where you can find second-hand building materials. You’ll also see how second-hand materials can get a new lease of life, from furniture to art. At the Textielhub, you can swap clothes and attend workshops like repairing garments or upcycling blouses. And there’s plenty more on offer: from a lecture on seaweed as the textile of the future to the Northern Inspiration Festival for businesses and governments.

“It saves me a lot of money”

“Items and clothes have become so cheap that people think: I’ll just buy new ones. I hope we reach a point where we start to see the value in things again. Where you don’t immediately think: it’s so cheap, I’ll just throw it away. Some people think sustainable living is expensive, but it’s actually the opposite. Since I started living more sustainably, I spend less money. I buy less, and when I do buy something, it’s as second-hand as possible. That really saves you money.”

Circula-wattes?! takes place from 19 to 27 March. For more information, visit groenergroningen.nl/circula-wattes. Can’t get enough? Join the Groener Groningen community for free via groenergroningen.nl/community. After all, it’s much more fun to take steps together than alone. You’ll stay up to date and receive inspiring tips and tricks.

Circula-wattes?! is organised by Groener Groningen, Circulair Groningen Drenthe, SDG House Groningen and the Municipality of Groningen.