We've got it. The Circular Award 2024 Business
And honestly? We're still a bit surprised.
Not because we don't believe in what we do. But because it's still something, when you suddenly find yourself on a big stage and hear: "You are the example."
Then you think back to that first saw blade that couldn't cut through the wood. That plank that was just a little too warped. That first meeting with a municipality that said: great idea, but how?
And now we're here. With an award that feels not only like a token of appreciation, but also a nod to everyone who has been participating, contributing, and contributing for years. From the first customer who came for a shelf to the student who built their own cabinet. From the volunteer in the shop to the driving force in a new city.
Since that award, things have moved quickly.
Two new Buurmannen (Neighbors) joined us: Amsterdam and Arnhem/Nijmegen. We've received requests from schools, municipalities, and businesses interested in recycling. The workshops are full. People email us to ask how we're approaching things. And honestly? We're happy to oblige. Because we're not about big plans on paper. We're about trying things out, seeing what works, and creating something together.
To help other cities get started, we've established Buurman Collectief (Neighbor Collective). Not a standard franchise, but an open club of Neighbors who want to make a difference locally. They have their own unique style, but share the same core values: action, sharing, and perseverance.
We've learned that wood is our best material. That some things are better done together with others. That people only truly understand when they do it themselves. And that you build a movement by starting, not by waiting until it's perfect.
So yeah, we're proud.
Not on the statue (okay, a little bit), but on what it shows: that with practical hands and a good idea you can get something going.
That it works. And that it's growing.
And now? Just keep going. There's still plenty of material that deserves a second life.
