Neighborhood residents in the Maritiem District have acquired a new gadget to keep the neighborhood clean: an electric vacuum cleaner. Mainly intended to pick up cigarette butts. ‘It works fantastic.’
Hans Kleintunte proudly shows the new acquisition. ‘It’s still quite heavy, you know,’ he warns. ‘But you carry it on your back and then it’s actually not so bad.’
Hans lives on the Wijnhaven. Together with his neighbors, he keeps the neighborhood a bit clean. Among other things, by cleaning up litter every last Sunday of the month. Previously, this was only done with litter pickers.
But recently, the group has a new tool: an electric vacuum cleaner. Because Hans says: ‘A litter picker is nice. But not for cigarette butts on the street. That’s a hopeless task.’
With the vacuum cleaner, it’s very easy. ‘The only condition is that it has to be dry. But then it works fantastic.’
Neighborhood Vacuum Cleaner
The vacuum cleaner is not only for Hans’s cleaning group. It is a real ‘neighborhood vacuum cleaner’. Two other cleaning initiatives in the Maritiem District also use it.
Hans takes care of the storage. And makes sure the battery is charged when needed. ‘Recently, I suddenly had someone on the line from the shelter for status holders here in the neighborhood. Asking if they could borrow the vacuum cleaner occasionally. Absolutely fine, of course.’
Moreover, according to Hans, that is the beauty of the initiative. ‘The main goal is, of course, to keep the environment clean. But we also get to know each other better as neighbors.’
Resident Initiative
The vacuum cleaner was purchased with a contribution from the municipality. Hans and his neighbors submitted a resident initiative for it. Do you also have a good idea for your neighborhood? Then visit mijn.rotterdam.nl. Link opens an external page for possibilities.
Rotterdam Neighborhood News
This message is in Rotterdam Neighborhood News, the digital newsletter of the municipality of Rotterdam. Want to stay informed about what’s happening in your neighborhood? You can subscribe to the newsletter and view previous editions here. Link opens an external page.
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