Sustainable Monday

Upcycle Behaviour

On Monday, October 13, it’s that time again: Sustainable Monday at The Hague University of Applied Sciences! Together with The Lighthouse, the Green Office invites you to explore the Atrium between 11:00 and 15:00, this time under the theme Upcycle Behaviour. How can you make small, smart choices that make your life more sustainable and creative?

In the Atrium

The Atrium is buzzing with activities. There’s a clothing swap: from September 30, you can donate clothes you no longer wear in the cargo bike at the Atrium entrance, and on the day itself, pick out a new pre-loved item! For an extra sustainable touch, lecturer-researcher Rigtje Bruinsma will help you style your outfit responsibly with personal styling advice. Students from ROC Mondriaan (Beauty, Hair & Fashion) will demonstrate how to turn old kites into bags and show techniques, like sashiko, to restyle your clothes.

Got a broken device? Email [email protected] beforehand to let us know what needs repairing. Together with Repair Café Den Haag, you’ll discover what can still be saved. During a hands-on workshop by lector Jenny Coenen, you’ll learn about the repairability of everyday items and how to give things a second life instead of throwing them away.

Artist Carolien Adriaansche invites you to help build a large blue artwork made from waste. Don’t forget to bring clean blue waste from home – together, we’ll give something seemingly useless a surprising new face.

Meanwhile, artist Nishiko will share a story about JUST BECAUSE. This artwork is about chance encounters and randomness. You can contribute by stamping your own clothing with the word “JUST” or “BECAUSE.” More info about the artists and their projects will be available here soon.

On the Atrium, you’ll also see circular furniture. Old trash bins from The Hague University of Applied Sciences have been transformed by Renewi into new chairs and benches.

For anyone who wants to show they really know their sustainability stuff, there’s the Zero Waste Exam. Answer a few questions about waste and recycling and earn your own certificate – proof that you know how to handle waste smarter.

Feeling hungry? Eurest will serve “waste-free” soup and snack skewers at lunch. Using ingredients that would otherwise be discarded, they’ve created a delicious soup and snacks. Come taste for free!

Presentations & Workshops

Alongside the hands-on activities, there are inspiring sessions:

• 11:30–12:00 – Speakers' Corner: Inspiration session by Lisanne Addink from VerdraaidGoed. She’ll share how to build a successful business model with leftover materials.
• 12:15–13:00 – Speakers' Corner: Masterclass by Lisanne Addink. Bring your own innovative business idea and brainstorm with her.
• 13:00–14:30 – Innovation Playground: Lecturer-researcher Laura Stevens (Mission Zero) explores the world of biomimicry. Discover how a cactus can inspire sustainable building or how a mosquito can influence medical innovations. A unique opportunity to experiment with this field yourself.

Whether you’re looking for practical skills, sustainable inspiration, or just a fresh perspective, Sustainable Monday has it all. You’re guaranteed to leave with ideas you can immediately apply to your studies and daily life. Join us on October 13!