Landfill collector Ralf Brouwers (24) from Eindhoven will soon hold a Christmas market with items that he actually had to take to the dump. He collects those items from people’s homes with his company. Too often things are still in excellent condition. “Items such as tools, televisions, refrigerators and much more are thrown away indiscriminately.”
Ralf is studying and would like to earn some extra money. That is why he has a company in Eindhoven to collect bulky waste. He visits people’s homes for about twelve hours a week to load up his bus. “For example, I empty attics. As a result, I come across quite a lot of items that can last a second round. I actually think it’s a shame.”
With Christmas in mind, he came up with the idea to give these good things a second life. He is going to ‘sell’ them for charity, the Eindhoven Food Bank. “For those on lower incomes, the Christmas market is a great way to get a nice gift for a friend, family or for themselves for Christmas. If people have less to spend, they can take something with them for 1 euro, so to speak. And if they have a little more, they can buy an oliebol for five euros.”
It will be a market with fifteen stalls. With oliebollen, mulled wine and live Christmas music. The number of items is growing rapidly. “Also because people offer all kinds of things themselves. For example, a gentleman gave me 52 puzzles. They are completely complete. All I had to do was pick them up.”
There is now all kinds of things in his basement box: books, children’s toys, watches. “I also have a vase and a fondue set. And we also have a very strange item here: a mobile sunbed.” He will store a trampoline in the parking lot. It is also for the Christmas market. “So there’s something for everyone, let’s just say.”
“For example, I had a neighbor who always supported me very kindly.”
Ralf studies sustainable agriculture. He doesn’t have the heart to throw away good things. He sees it as a waste and he hates that. “It is the result of the consumer society. This is not only a waste of all the raw materials and effort that went into creating that product. This also ignores all the people who would like to purchase such a device or item, but simply do not have the financial resources to do so.”
Ralf finds helping others very important. “For example, I had a neighbor who always supported me very kindly in the past, even though no one asked for it. I would like to pass that on to others.”
The Christmas market is on Sunday, December 22 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in De Uitwijk on Generaal Pattonlaan in Eindhoven. Would you like to donate something yourself? Contact Ralf at info@stortrijders.
