The well-known Purmerend waste collector Dirk Groot can buy a new handcart. And quite a luxury too. The fundraiser that was set up after the theft of his previous handcart has raised a total of 2,340 euros. The support of his sympathizers touches Dirk. “It’s confirmation that I’m doing a good job,” he responds.
It was a big downer for the Purmerend waste collector. After a clean-up day in the rain a week ago, he left his cart and a moment later found that the cart had been lost. It not only showed litter: his wallet, cards and driver’s license were also included. “I often leave that cart and nothing ever happens,” he said a day after the theft.
René Rövekamp read the news about the theft on social media and responded that he would set up a fundraising campaign ‘just in time’. “At first as a joke, but later I thought: why not?” says Rene. “I quickly created a page and we could start.”
“I reacted as a joke that I would set up a crowdfunding campaign. But then I thought: why not?”
Litter data
The handcart is the most important tool of ‘wanderinator’ Dirk. In addition to cleaning up waste, Dirk also takes photos of the find and then processes this in analyzes about litter. The reports he prepares about this end up on the desks of politicians and companies. His collected information in turn influences policy.
Dirk’s efforts were seen: three years ago Dirk was still number 1 in the so-called Sustainable 100 of Trouw because of his ‘almost scientific analyses’.
So it was really disappointing when his cart with waste and personal items was taken, but that the crowdfunding campaign was such a success, neither the initiator nor the ‘stray inator’ could have dreamed of. The reactions to his work were also ‘heartwarming’, as René calls it. “Then you read that people write things like: ‘Keep it up’ or ‘You are an inspiration’. Yes, that’s fantastic.”
Watch here how René announces the proceeds. Text continues below the video.
Fundraising action result – NH Nieuws
Money to foundation
Dirk often gets positive reactions, but the success of the crowdfunding is more than just appreciation, he thinks. “It’s confirmation that I’m doing the right thing,” he says. The 133 euros for the cart was soon received, but after that the donations kept coming in.
The ‘wanderinator’ says that all this is being invested. One of Dirk’s goals is to set up his own foundation to further expand his research into litter. In this way Dirk hopes to collect more data and to be able to give compensation to his volunteers. “It’s hard work.”
