At thegreenlist.nl we are always looking for cool ways to celebrate the holidays more sustainably. Swap Sint is one of those! From mid-November, they will be popping up everywhere: from community centres to libraries. So keep an eye on your local newspaper and socials, because you don't want to miss this. How exactly does it work? We went before you!
Swap toys via Swap Sint
Swap Sint is all about something simple but brilliant: swapping toys instead of buying them. Most cupboards are bulging with toys that your child no longer looks after anyway. And whether it's plastic, wood or fabric: it really doesn't have to be new from the shop. Especially for children aged 0 to 6, the selection at such an event is great: from Duplo to books, puzzles and kitchen utensils. Do you have older kids? Then of course you can still go, but you're less likely to find anything of their age.
By cleverly redistributing all those toys, a lot has already been achieved since its launch in 2013: more than 575 thousand toys have changed hands. Together, that saves about 92 thousand kilos of plastic waste and about 6 million euros worth of new toys.
This is how Swap Saint works
We preceded you and attended a Swap Saint event at a cosy farmhouse near us. A cosy get-together with peppercorns and hot chocolate. Cosy, but of course we came for the swapping! You bring clean, complete toys to the swap point. When you enter, you hand it in, and the organisation determines the value of your stuff. You get that value back in points, a kind of exchange coin. You can use them to hunt for ‘new’ toys brought in by other parents. So everything you no longer use will make another child happy.
I myself scored a beautiful wooden marble track for next to nothing in exchange for some board games that no one was playing anymore. It can be that easy! You save money, avoid unnecessary purchases and have a nice day without the December stress. See more about this cool initiative!
More sustainable Sinterklaas tips
- Also see: Here you will find great second-hand toys for St Nicholas.
- Also see: This is how Sinterklaas does it: scoring the best second-hand gifts.
- Also see: sustainable packing paper, what to look out for?
Photo credits: Swap Saint.
