At the Alkmaar Library you still need a library card to borrow a book, but in the new Seed Library everyone can score a free bag of organic seeds. With the project, the library not only hopes for a greener city, but also makes a stand against the genetically modified seeds and chemical pesticides of companies such as Bayer and Monsanto.
At the entrance of the library in Alkmaar there are small bags on a large table with different types of seeds of herbs, plants and flowers. Hobby gardeners Alkmaarders can take the seeds here for free and also return them.
“If you borrow seeds, you first sow them in your garden. Of the plants that come up, you let the most beautiful plant bloom and go to seed. You harvest this seed and hand it back in part to the seed library,” reads in the explanation.
The Green Carpet
In the context of sustainability, the library organizes various activities with the De Groene Loper project, such as workshops and presentations. “Alkmaarders are invited to come and tell about a sustainable project or ambitions, to inspire others to make the city a bit greener again.”
There are now almost seventy Seed Libraries in the Netherlands. Each location has its own collection of seeds of: vegetables, herbs and flowers. “The seed collection is different at each location. The seeds available depend on what is handed in, received or traded.”
Patent of companies
Worldwide, more and more companies are claiming the patent on different types of seeds. According to Seed Library Netherlands, this has resulted in more and more varieties being manipulated. These seeds may also no longer be freely distributed. “As a result, there will be fewer and fewer types of seeds,” the organization explains.
Fewer seeds means less biodiversity and this has serious consequences for plants and animals. “Moreover, the claims sometimes entail unnecessary costs for the gardeners. We believe that seeds are from nature and therefore belong to everyone.”