New life for old furniture at THUAS

From sofas and refrigerators to pianos. Everything students need to brighten up their homes, available free of charge, during the Free Furniture Festival on the square in front of THUAS. “I honestly can’t believe they’re giving away so much beautiful furniture for free,” says one happy student. “This really feels like a blessing because now I can make my roommates very happy with new chairs and a dining table.” 

Even before the festival opened, lines of students were waiting to be the first to pick out their favorite pieces. Sofas, chairs, tables, and cabinets quickly found new owners. To help students transport their furniture, free shopping carts were available, and a moving service could be used for a small fee. 

Upcycling 

Djoeke Delnooz and Monique te Selle (self-employed professionals working on circular initiatives and experimental projects) jointly managed the project on behalf of Hi The Hague. “We organize the festival by students, for students, and with students,” explains Djoeke. Monique adds: “We want to achieve several things. First of all, happy students who can really benefit from these items. We also want to help residents of The Hague get rid of their unwanted furniture. And, of course, reduce waste, because otherwise everything would end up on the rubbish heap.” 

The first edition proved to be an immediate success: within half an hour, a large portion of the furniture had already been claimed. 

Good for students and the city 

HMS played an important role in this initiative. Policy officer Joan Driesprong explains: “At the recycling center, we approached people bringing in their waste and asked whether their belongings deserved a second life.” Thrift stores, residents of The Hague, and moving companies also contributed to the festival. “No one realizes how enormous the waste stream actually is, while so many items are still perfectly usable. Especially in today’s economy, it’s a shame not to give these belongings a second life,” Joan emphasizes. 

Together we can make it bigger 

THUAS not only provided the festival with a location but also played an important role in bringing this initiative together. For Hi The Hague, the collaboration leaves them wanting more. Djoeke says: “This is going to become a recurring event, and perhaps even more opportunities will arise alongside this version. Maybe one day we’ll fill the entire Malieveld. And this is something you truly do together. Together with the Municipality of The Hague, HMS, thrift stores, moving companies, educational institutions, and, of course, the students!” 

The festival is an initiative of the student committee Hi The Hague, in collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague, The Hague Environmental Services (HMS), and THUAS.