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The longer products are past their expiration date, the bigger the discount at Helen’s Win Win Winkel in Noord: ‘A waste to throw away’

The longer products are past their expiration date, the bigger the discount at Helen’s Win Win Winkel in Noord: ‘A waste to throw away’

Helen’s Win Win Winkel has opened in Amsterdam-Noord, offering discounted products, including those past their expiration date, to reduce waste and support budget-conscious shoppers. Founded by Helen van der Bilt, the store encourages sustainability and community connection by providing affordable goods and a system for neighbors to donate items to one another.

Helen van der Bilt has opened Helen’s Win Win Winkel in Amsterdam-Noord, a shop dedicated to reducing waste by selling discounted products, including items past their best-before date. The store operates on a sliding scale where the age of the product determines the discount, with items over a year past their date provided for free. The initiative aims to help those on tight budgets and promote sustainability by rescuing goods from landfills, such as factory-second items, returns, and surplus stock from local companies.

Building on the success of her previous project, Helen’s Free Food Market, Van der Bilt created this space to foster community connection. The store features a donation cupboard where customers can purchase goods for others in need. While the shop is open to everyone, it specifically targets budget-conscious shoppers and those committed to minimizing environmental impact. Volunteers and staff are currently working to build local awareness, reporting positive initial feedback as neighborhood residents begin to discover the new store and its unique circular mission.

Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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