After a forced stop due to the Covid situation, RAI Amsterdam has restarted the Donation Room Program at trade fairs in the RAI. A program in which volunteers collect leftover items from exhibitors after various trade fairs. It concerns items that are in line with the needs of affiliated local social initiatives. These items are given a second life and a valuable new destination through these initiatives. The Aquatech 2021 kicked off this year with a heartwarming result.
On Friday 5 November the donation program at the Aquatech helped various social initiatives like Puur Zuid, Buurtteam and the local Food Bank, with a diversity of products. From shopping trolleys full of soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, disposables, snacks, fruit, to plants, bags, office supplies and some furniture.
A win-win situation
The happy faces on the exhibition floor as well as at the social initiatives are heartwarming and reason enough to continue this program. Besides the fact that the social initiatives have been helped with these products, it is also the exhibitors who make grateful use of the program. They are happy that their stock can be re-used for a new local destination. For example, an exhibitor from Israel said he was glad not to have to take the furniture and aquariums back to Tel Aviv, but that it could be of value locally. The program not only prevents waste, but also transport and associated environmental effects. In addition, this program provides the RAI with insights into where unnecessary residual flows arise and brackets for improving practice. The program is a win-win for all parties involved.
Social initiatives should sign up
Social initiatives in the Amsterdam region that may have benefited from products such as furniture, plants, food and drink products, office supplies and disposables and that are not yet affiliated with this program can sign up. A possible collaboration within this program is then explored. Initiatives can apply by sending an email to s.mathas@rai.nl.
Continuation Donation Room
The possibility of organizing a Donation Room is examined for each grant. Whether a Donation Room can take place depends on various factors. The most important factor is the answer to the question whether potential donations match the needs of affiliated social initiatives. Not every grant is suitable for a Donation Room. The following Donation Room programs are planned during the IBC in early December and during the Horecava and the Huishoudbeurs in early 2022.
