Get involved with reuse

Every product has a lifecycle. A product that is reusable or recyclable reduces the garbage pile. You too can get involved with reuse. Consider using the reuse centre if you are throwing something away or looking to buy something new. The refurbished items are often just as good, and much better for the environment. Together we make tomorrow more beautiful!

OVAM, partner of the reuse sector

OVAM is an important partner for the 31 accredited reuse centres which have united in a professional network in order to provide higher quality and learn from one another. The list of reuse centres and their activities can be found via the link on the page: www.kringloop.net, the umbrella organisation for Flemish reuse centres. OVAM conducts annual research into how much material is reused and where improvements can be made. The centres then receive subsidies based on the reuse levels they have achieved. The aim is that the reuse sector will be achieving an average of 5 kg of reused goods per resident and employing 3,000 people by the year 2015. These accredited centres must also provide training and jobs to people who have difficulties finding work in the traditional job market.

First choice in second hand

A reuse centre collects discarded but usable goods free of charge. Goods are sorted, repaired if necessary and then sold for a greatly reduced price. Items that cannot be reused are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner.
Some reuse centres collect all reusable household goods via containers in the street or at the recycling yard, use house-to-house collections or ask residents to bring the items to the centre. The centres process and sort the goods in their workshops, where they employ mainly low trained and long term unemployed workers. They must comply with strict, legal conditions and be accredited by OVAM in order to carry out these tasks. The list of all centres, including their accreditation as collectors and processors, and an indication of the product groups concerned can be found via the list of reuse centres accredited as collectors and processors.

In the reuse centres you can find furniture and household goods, clothing and toys and also books and electrical and electronic equipment.
Whether you want 'as good as new', antique, modern, old-fashioned, kitsch or super-trendy ...it is a collector or bargain-hunter's heaven. You will always find something to suit your taste and budget. The range changes continuously and new, potentially reusable items are brought in daily. Goods that are reusable do not belong on the garbage pile and the reuse centres are the perfect destination for your old but still usable items. You can simply take them to one of the centres, to the municipal recycling yard or ask for them to be collected by the collection service.

De Kringwinkel

The group and brand name 'De Kringwinkel' has been around since 2002. The affiliated stores all bear the same name, 'De Kringwinkel', and relate to their customers in a uniform manner, in terms of communication and house style. About 80% of all reuse centres now belong to the 'De Kringwinkel' network which serves as a quality label within the sector. More information and addresses can be found on www.kringwinkels.be. An address guide can be obtained from both OVAM and De Kringwinkel.

Revision: quality guaranteed!

Electrical and electronic appliances that are donated to the reuse centres are thoroughly checked and cleaned in a regional reuse centre before being offered for sale. This is carried out by professionals, in line with predefined procedures which pay particular attention to the environment. The checked items then receive the label 'REVISION' and the buyer is provided with a 6-month sales warranty. More information about the revision procedures can be found on www.revisie.be.