A real Ikea alternative

Kringloopwinkels. Circlewalkshops. They are Amsterdam's answer to Ikea "purpose built landfill" furniture.

Essentially second hand shops, they are treasure troves of everything. Seriously, these places have it all. I've bought a toaster for 3 euros (admittedly the people at work have made me stop using it because they think its a fire hazard). No matter what you're looking for, there is a good chance your nearest kringloopwinkel has one. They have all sorts of furniture, from beds to whole lounge suites, sports equipment, stereo and kitchen equipment, clothes, books and bikes. If you need a board game for the last few cold evenings, they've got 'em, and if you are secret collector of porcelain figurines, welcome to your Aladdin's cave.

There is an association of kringloopwinkels called the BKN that bring together all the kringloopwinkels in the Netherlands, and you can find the nearest one on their website. The shops themselves are places that provide sheltered employment for those struggling to re-enter the workforce or that have physical or mental handicaps. If you are moving house and have old usable things, they will even come and pick them up for free. In Amsterdam, Pantar is one particular organisation working with handicapped people that works with the Amsterdam council. They have 3 kringloopwinkels and many contracts for labour intensive work (last seen repairing the landing lights at Schipol) . The other big kringloopwinkel organisation in Amsterdam is Juttersdok ("Beachcombersdock") who also have 3 shops, and sell computers pre-loaded with all the open source goodness you could want. What's the greenest computer, washing machine, windsurfer or tv you can buy? The second hand one of course! The 3 Pantas and 3 Juttersdok stores are on the Eco Amsterdam google map (link top right).

I often wonder at how you could furnish your entire flat from the streets before rubbish collection day. If you're too shy to carry off loot from the streets - try the kringloopwinkel, and you'll be supporting the social economy at the same time.

Late night organic shopping

I love eating organic food, not just because I think it's healthier, but more because I think it gives the environment a better deal. I would love to grow my own organic veggies, but the housing situation being what it is in Amsterdam, I have struggled to find a place to grow and I don't know of any Dutch equivalent to the allotment system.

Ultimately this means I am restricted to buying my food from shops. I'm definitely not a fan of all the plastic packaging that "normal" grocery stores like Albert Heijn inevitably sell their organic food in, and I just feel more at home in a shop that sells predominately organic food. This takes me to shops like Organic Food For You and the Natuurwinkel as well as many smaller independently run shops. The problem I find with most of them is that they close really early - 7pm at the latest. This is fine for planned shopping, but what about picking up some organic beers and snacks on your way to a party or summer evening picnic (I realise mentioning this as winter creeps in is a bit cruel!)?

There are two shops I've found that stay open a bit later than most, and are also open on Sundays - bonus! The first is the Organic Food For You store at 129 Vijzelstraat which is open to 9pm, seven days a week. The second is the Biomarkt which is behind the Rijksmuseum at 133 - 137 Weteringschans (this is the road the trams run along on the Central Station side of the Museum's Plein) which is open until 8pm everyday, except Sunday when it closes at 7pm.

I've added both of these shops to the Eco Amsterdam map which you can access via the link at the top right of the blog.

I'd also like to put out a quick Whoop Whoop as this is the first Eco Amsterdam blog post! Expect loads more eco awesomeness :-)

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Posted by Glen Tyler, organic maniac