Independent journalism about VU Amsterdam | Since 1953
12 December 2024

Campus
& Culture

Green Office hands out free stuff from W&N building

As people from the W&N building move into new locations, not all of their stuff is coming with them. The Green Office is now giving away lots of items to ensure they don't go to waste.

Piles and piles of books are stacked in the basement of the main building. The Green Office is holding an enormous giveaway there. The books are mostly research-oriented and don exciting titles such as Understanding the governance of niche experiments towards sustainability. But there’s also two boxes filled with copies of Blinde gehoorzaamheid (Blind obedience) by former Writer in Residence Arnon Grunberg.

The relocation at W&N is being handled by external companies, which makes it harder to figure out what will happen with things that are no longer used. “People thought it would just be thrown away”, says Green Office manager Maria Stivala. That is why the Green Office, a group of students which focused on sustainability at the university, has received the goods and can give them away for free.

Framed horse

There is still plenty to find for the people who are less stoked about technical literature covering methods of energy production. There is a Chinese artwork of a horse in a decorated picture frame, for instance. And there are various small trinkets, including ones that don’t even originate from tacky souvenir stores. Practical items such as cups and plates can complement many a student home or office space. Office supplies can also be found, including a keyboard. The cup filled with free pens that the Green Office placed across its entrance was quickly emptied due to its popularity.

There is no strict deadline to pick up things. Stivala says the items will remain available for as long as it takes.

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