Proceeds meager, but impunity fireworks return campaign in Zaanstad already ‘above expectations’

Compared to the proceeds from a fireworks campaign day earlier this week, this is downright paltry. During that day of action, the police and municipality 119 kilos of illegal fireworks found in a cellar box and a man arrested.

‘Not for nothing’

Yet Mayor Jan Hamming is satisfied, he tells NH reporter Tom van Midden. “It’s very nice to see that many people take the trouble to bring it here. And that is beyond expectations, because I had somewhat feared that not many people would do this. But we are here for a reason today.”

The one-off collection campaign is mainly intended to make people aware of the dangers of fireworks in the home. Nevertheless, the municipality also hopes to reduce fireworks nuisance with the action, although it is questionable whether that is allowed.

Although the day of action mainly focuses on fireworks that have been banned since 2020 (explosive fireworks), heavier illegal fireworks can also be handed in. This happened this morning immediately after the return point opened, when a box of Spanish butterfly bombs was brought in. “I am happy with every fireworks bomb that is taken off the street,” said Hamming.

Leftovers from previous years

However, fireworks are mainly handed in that were legal in the Netherlands before 2020. “It was in the garage and belongs to my son,” says a man who handed in a bag with firecrackers and single shots. “It’s out of the house, and it had been in the garage for a while. Now was a great opportunity to get rid of it.”

Karin Broodjes has just handed in a bag ‘with all kinds of small items’ that she believes is not illegal. “Leftovers from every year,” she explains how she built up the stock. “But what do you do with it? You can’t really put it anywhere else. It explodes in the garbage, and you can’t get rid of it at the landfill either. So this is a very nice campaign.”