Doggy bags have become a more widespread option in Dutch restaurants for those who wish to reduce food waste.
Doggy bags, also sometimes referred to as left-over bags, are the bags you ask remaining food at the restaurant to be packed in so that you might finish it later, at home. The term of doggy bag has a euphemistic origin, implying that the food you take home will be fed to your pets. Listen, we love our pets, but they’re not getting our restaurant grade food.
More and more people are getting doggy bags
According to research from Nature & Environment, 46% of Dutch were offered a doggy bag in a restaurant, compared to 27% 5 years prior. This is an important development, as Netherlands has a high rate of food waste, with the entire food chain of the country producing 5 million kilograms of food waste every day.
Restaurants want to reduce food waste
Restaurants have been moving towards the trend of reducing food waste, with some of them making it obvious for customers that there are doggy bag options, such as by placing #wastefree stickers in their venues. Embarrassment might have prevented some clients from asking for doggy bags before, over the concern that they might seem annoying.
Smaller portions also being offered by restaurants
Smaller portions in restaurants have also become more common, and this is in tune with the desire to fight food waste. The latest survey by Nature & Environment shows that 80% of respondents state that they are actively involved in combating food waste, a 10% increase from 2017.
Young people take the lead in bringing or using doggy bags, with 35% of users being under 30, while only 25% of people over 50 use them. Before a wave of #okboomer comments, this is probably the case simply because young people tend to eat out way more often than older people.
Plastic waste is a problem too
Reducing food waste is important, but we recommend that you bring your own doggy bags at the restaurant, preferably something that is re-usable, as to not replace food waste with plastic waste.
Alternative methods to prevent food waste
Another accessible method of reducing food waste is to use an app like TooGoodToGo. Through this app you can access restaurants in your local area and buy off leftover food from them that otherwise would have been thrown away. For a reduced price, you get a much bigger portion of food than you would normally get at those venues. Every order is a bag of surprises, but we do suggest that you bring your own bag if you use TooGoodToGo, or reuse the bag the restaurant gives you for later orders.
What methods do you use at home or in your workspace to reduce food waste? Let us know in the comments.
While Silicon Valley shouts about disruption and innovation, the Netherlands just gets on with it — building the machines that power your phone, advancing life-saving biotech, and treating remote work like the grown-up practice it should be.
The Dutch approach to technology isn’t flashy. It’s quiet but effective.
From the semiconductor machines behind every modern device to actually finding a balance in life, here are four ways the Netherlands is pushing tech forward without the fanfare.
1. With ASML: the company behind basically everything digital
If you’re reading this on any device with a screen, there’s a good chance ASML had a hand in making it possible.
Based in Veldhoven, ASML builds the world’s most advanced lithography machines.
Microchips are part of virtually all modern electronic devices. Image: Depositphotos
These machines print microscopic patterns onto silicon to create computer chips, and the EUV (extreme ultraviolet) ones are so specialised that there’s currently no serious alternative supplier anywhere on the planet.
That makes ASML one of the most important tech companies in the world. Without its machines, modern processors, AI hardware, and advanced smartphones simply wouldn’t exist.
The company itself lays out just how critical this technology is in its breakdown of EUV and chip production, and it reads less like marketing and more like a reminder of how fragile the global tech supply chain really is.
2. In Leiden: Europe’s underrated biotech powerhouse
When people think of biotech hubs, they usually name Boston or Basel. But Leiden deserves a seat at that table too.
The city is home to the Leiden Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s leading life sciences clusters.
A lot of innovation is happening in Leiden. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
The park brings together Leiden University, medical centres, startups, and global pharmaceutical companies in a compact, collaborative ecosystem.
The result? Research that moves faster from lab to real-world application. Think vaccine development, cancer therapies, and diagnostics.
According to Leiden University, the park hosts more than 200 organisations and tens of thousands of jobs in life sciences alone.
It’s highly specialised, research-led, and built on cooperation between universities, startups, and pharmaceutical giants, all working in close quarters.
3. By treating remote work like actual infrastructure
This one doesn’t look like technology at first glance, but it functions very much like it.
Remote work and working from home are widely accepted in the Netherlands, especially in knowledge-intensive sectors such as tech, finance, and media.
Dutch companies tend to focus on output, trust, and clear expectations rather than rewarding long hours spent visibly at a desk.
Working form home is very common in the Netherlands. Image: Freepik
And no, people aren’t just at home playing on live casino 711 during work hours. Remote work here is supported by solid digital tools, structured workflows, and a legal framework that treats flexibility as a serious part of working life.
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), more than half of all workers in the Netherlands work from home at least part of the time, one of the highest shares in Europe.
The long-term effect? Fewer burnouts, higher retention, and tech teams that can stay productive without an always-online culture. Radical, we know.
4. By looking at the cycling infrastructure as a living tech lab
Cycling in the Netherlands isn’t just transport, it’s a system. And systems generate data.
Because so many people cycle daily, Dutch cities have a constant flow of real-world information about traffic patterns, safety, and behaviour.
That data is increasingly used to design smarter intersections, adaptive traffic lights, and safer routes.
The cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands is incredible. Image: Depositphotos
The “technology” here isn’t just e-bikes or apps, but infrastructure that responds to how people actually move through cities. Cyclists are treated as default road users, not an afterthought, which, frankly, is how it should be.
The Dutch government and municipalities regularly test and scale these ideas through pilot projects, refining them before rolling them out nationwide.
What ties these examples together isn’t disruption for disruption’s sake. Dutch tech progress is practical, precise, and people-focused.
ASML pushes physics to its limits, Leiden turns research into healthcare, remote work is treated as a serious operating model, and cycling infrastructure evolves like a product that’s never quite finished.
It’s not flashy. But it quietly shapes how the rest of the world lives, works, and connects.
Which of these Dutch tech innovations has impacted your life the most? Let us know in the comments below.
If you’ve been outside yet this morning, or have even glanced out your window, you’ll know that today is FOGGY. No one can be held responsible if you accidentally ran over several people on your bike ride to work this morning. (Yes, I am just saying that to comfort myself).
NU.nl reports that the KNMI has called in a code yellow for almost the entirety of the Netherlands this morning, as a result of heavy fog. The fog is heaviest in the south and centre of the country, with the northern provinces pretty much escaping. Visibility is set at about 200 meters.
Heavy mist in the south-east
In the south-east of the country, there is an extremely heavy mist, offering only 50 meters of visibility. Accordingly, the ANWB has encouraged drivers in that part of the country to pay particular attention to their surroundings today (perhaps they should have issued the same warning for cyclists. Or maybe just me.)
Passengers flying out from Eindhoven may be delayed
Passengers planning to fly out from Eindhoven airport may well be affected by delayed or cancelled flights: the airport advises passengers to keep an eye on the airport’s website for the most up-to-date information. Luckily for all of us, the fog is expected to lift throughout the morning.
Did the fog affect you this morning? Let us know in the comments below.
D66 has published a manifesto for the regulation of drugs in the Netherlands, bringing forward a new wave of debate on the topic.
The political party D66 has recently published a manifesto on the topic of drugs, specifically on the regulation of prohibited drugs, such as cocaine, MDMA, ecstasy, Psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. In order to maintain the risk of drugs at a minimum, the party wishes to launch a state committee in order to look into how to best regulate these substances.
The manifest was signed by addiction experts, lawyers, scientists, artists, as well as former politicians. The manifest was initially drafted with the assistance of Jellinek, an addiction clinic, alongside Ton Nabben, a drug researcher.
In the aftermath of the murder of the lawyer Derk Wiersum, D66 states that the debate on drugs has become more aggressive, with calls for repression and a crackdown on drugs. A need for better alternatives is desirable, as violent crackdown usually backfires, the most well-known example of this being the War on Drugs in the United States.
The party is currently in debate with a broad coalition in order to investigate which drugs can be safely produced and regulated for commercial purposes.
Mixed views in Parliament
Not everyone shares the same views as D66 on the need for new regulation. Stieneke van der Graaf of the ChristieUnie party considers that crimes caused by drugs should be punished, rather than rewarded. She argues that given the fact that around 80% of drugs produced in the Netherlands are then exported, legalization would do nothing in stopping this process. She further states that the manifesto makes no mention of the health consequences of addiction and its devastating effects. It may, therefore, be a difficult task for D66 to successfully push their new agenda unless they gain more support from other parties in the coalition.
A task for the next cabinet
D66 considers the manifest as simply a starting point of conversation on the subject. The task of opening a state committee is expected to be picked up by the next cabinet.
What do you think the approach to drugs should be: punishment or legalization? Let us know in the comments.
Dutch winter continues to be elusive: calm weather for most of the week, Weerplaza reports.
Today and Tuesday: dry and windless
You might be feeling today the effects of Blue Monday, considered the most depressing day in the year. If it makes you feel any better, at least you won’t get too much wind in your face, as a high air pressure front will lead to dry air. If you’re truly blessed, you might even get to see some sun. Nevertheless, be careful during night time, as fog will lead to some slippery ground. Expect a maximum of 8-9 degrees Celsius during daytime.
Wednesday: more clouds
Wednesday sees the return of more clouds in the skies, yet there is a chance for sunshine in the north during the afternoon. The weather should remain dry, but don’t get surprised if there is a little drizzle.
Thursday and Friday: some sun to light up the end of the week
Thankfully, by Thursday and Friday, we should see much more sunlight, as the high-pressure front moves eastwards across the country. Don’t expect the temperature to increase, however, and prepare for some potentially frosty nights.
The weekend: back to clouds, showers and wind
By the end of the week, most of the high-pressure front will be already gone in the western provinces, so be prepared for a return to the winds and the drizzles and the continuous clouds. Maximum temperature will be around 7 degrees Celsius.
The winter continues to be mild, any hopes for at least one snowfall? Let us know in the comments below.
On one of my first days in the Netherlands as a newly arrived international student, an Australian colleague insisted that I must try the fabled kapsalon, a staple of Dutch food. As such, it was in a small fast-food parlor in the central station of The Hague that I had the honor of experiencing the kapsalon.
At first glance, it is a deceptively simple dish. Take an aluminum tray, add fries, add meat, two slices of Gouda cheese, place in the oven, remove when cheese is melted, add garlic sauce and sambal, add salad, and voila, the kapsalon is ready to be served.
All the individual elements are, on their own, quite simple, yet through their layering they become a tasty, albeit a calorie-full dish. In those early days of walking around town, I noticed that there are quite some stores advertised as kapsalon, despite no kapsalons seemingly present inside.
It was only when someone pointed out to me that kapsalon translates as “hairdressing salon” that it became clear that the mystery of this dish has only just begun, and that I might also benefit from learning some basic Dutch.
Origins of the Kapsalon
So then, why is the kapsalon called the same as a hairdresser? What is the origin story of this traditional Dutch food? The birth of the kapsalon starts in 2003 in Rotterdam, first made by Nathaniël Gomes. Originally from Cape Verde, Mr. Gomes is, you guessed it, a hairdresser. On one fine day, forever to be remembered, Mr. Gomes went to his local shawarma store “El Aviva” and simply asked to have all of his favourite foods combined in one dish.
El-Aviva, the origin place of the Kapsalon. Image: Tim de Haan/ Wikimedia Commons
He soon started to form a habit of ordering this combination, and to make it easy for the people in the store, Mr. Gomes would refer to it as a kapsalon whenever he came by for an order. It did not take long for other customers to notice this calorie bomb, and the kapsalon soon spread to other snack bars in Rotterdam, followed by the whole of the Netherlands, and nowadays it can be found internationally, in some places as far away as Kathmandu, in Nepal.
The Kapsalon – A blend of cultures
There is something certainly endearing about the accidental, multicultural nature of the kapsalon, and it brings forth a conversation on how different cultures blend. After all, it is enough to look at the ingredients of the kapsalon in order to deduce that it can only come from a place that is a melting pot of different cultures, like Rotterdam is. The meat, usually doner or shawarma, has Middle-Eastern roots. Sambal, the hot sauce, found its way to the Netherlands from Indonesia. Gouda cheese is, well, from Gouda, the quintessential cheese marketplace of the Dutch.
A historian by the name of Paul Van de Laar, from Erasmus University, describes the kapsalon as a typical example of contemporary cultural heritage, given the extensive presence of the dish in snack bars and on the streets. The recipe is in any case still evolving, with some venues using chicken or beef instead of doner, and while I have not yet seen it, there certainly must be places that serve it in a vegetarian format with falafel, potatoes, or any other plant-based meat replacements.
A kipsalon, a twist to the kapsalon with chicken, avocado and sweet potato fries. Image: Vetgezond
All in all, the kapsalon can be seen as an epitome of the transnational culture of the Netherlands. After all, it was designed by a Cape Verdian hairdresser, in a shawarma store in Rotterdam, and contains ingredients from at least three distinct cultures. The fact that it was introduced to me by an Australian is just further proof of the diverse nature of the society that produced such a recipe.
Anyways, enjoy this tasty food but with a level of restraint. A single serving of the classic variant with meat can have as many as 1,800 kilocalories, so be prepared to go out for a lengthy run afterwards to burn all those calories off.
What other dutch foods are your guilty pleasures? Let us know in the comments below.
Finding a fun activity that occupies a child’s attention-span can be a challenging task, especially when you have more than one child with different interests. And why do the parents always have to be side-lined in the fun their children have? Before you, loyal DutchReviewers, give up in defeat, keep reading. Play-In in Utrecht, one of the biggest playgrounds in the whole of the Netherlands, might tick all the boxes for a day of family fun.
Play-in is made up of three epic indoor activity zones and given it makes up an area of no less than 6000m², you can understand how eager we were to check it out. Roughly speaking, there are 3 areas: Jump-In, Climb-In and Kids-In – all of which are exceptionally designed with bright colours, intricate themes and fun props. It’s also the perfect place to host a kid’s birthday party.
But just how fun is it? (hint: exceptionally so!) How long could a family spend there? (yonks!) Is there something for everyone? (absolutely) and varying levels of ability? (say no more!) Is there really a trampoline exercise class? (stay tuned).
Apart from being a fun place for jumping around and generally being a wild child, Play-In also hosts kids’ birthday parties! By hiring a private room, kids can have a party just for themselves and their friends. Image: Play-In/Supplied
We’ve teamed up with Play-in and jumped (pun intended) at the opportunity to bring you this article together.
Why is it good for children?
There’s something for all kids, regardless of age or capability
When I was a nanny, I wish Play-In was around as it is good for kids on so many levels. As you can imagine, it is great physical exercise and exhausts that boundless energy children possess. Many parents also notice what a great confidence builder the activities are. Your child can push themselves as much or as little as they wish whilst being supported by encouraging staff.
If you have children of different ages and capabilities then it can often be challenging trying to find a day activity that excites everyone equally. This is why Play-In is such a stellar and simple option as there are three different zones at the Play-In facility. Each of your children and their friends can run wild and find the activity that suits their personal needs and wants.
Staff are there to help and keep it safe!
What makes the whole experience even better is how involved and clued up the staff are. This makes all the difference if you have an anxious child who has never been somewhere like Play-In before. The instructors for each of the activities are trained to be calm and reassuring and ensure safety standards are continuously being met.
There’s delicious food and quality coffee at Play-In’s cafes
Parents or caregivers are welcome to join in on the fun or they can sit back and relax at one of the two cafes. Unlike some other play facilities where cafes are just an accessory to the main attraction, Play-In makes sure the quality of their food and the service are of prime importance. Tasty coffee and a selection of both healthy and fast food dishes are available which can be enjoyed while overlooking the Play-In activities.
So the cafes are there as an option, but adults, don’t get too comfortable nestled in the cafe corner with your book or friends. Adults are welcome to join in on the fun and Play-In is a great family bonding experience.
The three concepts at Play-In
So what do each of these spectacular zones involve? Are they all equally fun? Or is there one you should forgo? Let’s jump in right…
1. Jump-In
Jump-In is one of the biggest trampoline parks in the whole of Europe. This zone has 3000m2 of epic trampolines but not just that. In the Jump-In zone there is also the chance to get stuck in at dodgeball games, high-performance trampolines, wall trampolines, slacklines, balance beams, air bags, foam pits, a jump tower and a tumbling lane (yes, that’s a lot of fun in one location)
Jump-In the most popular zone at Play-In which is in large part because it is the biggest zone, so it can hold a greater capacity (but also, read again and tell me you don’t want to jump into a foam pit).
To ensure safety standards, the main floor is only accessible to children seven years or older but there are special times when the younger ones can head to the main floor as well: every weekend from 10.00-11.00, Wednesday and Fridays at 13.00. (During holidays from 10-12) .
There are not many safe spaces where a child can run riot and leap as high as they want and know they are cushioned by foam pits and supported by attentive staff.
Children marvel at how they are able to leap and bound around a massive area. Children can either entertain themselves by making up challenges and games with one another or get involved in the pre-arranged activities such as slacklining. It’s completely up to them what they do here, and most children love that freedom. There are not many safe spaces where a child can run riot and leap as high as they want and know they are cushioned by foam pits and supported by attentive staff.
Taking advantage of the variety at Jump-In. Photo/Supplied
Spectators can sit back and watch from the sky cafe that is situated five metres above the trampolines with a fantastic view over the entire jumping park. Engrossed in your book and don’t want to endlessly keep an eye out? That’s absolutely fine because there are jump masters present all throughout Jump-In to ensure safety standards are consistently being met.
2. Climb-In
Climb-in, built in 2016, was the first of its kind in the Netherlands. A few more climbing facilities have subsequently opened up but appeal of Climb-In is the fact that parents can join in the fun too as no belayers are required at this facility. This is possible all thanks to the slick and modern automatic safety system which locks and lowers participants to the ground without assistance. This belay system makes it safe for everyone to enjoy the fun, with children as young as four monkeying up the colourful walls. You don’t need any climbing experience to enjoy Climb-In.
Rock-climbers enjoying the variety of climbing walls at Climb-In. Photo/Supplied
Climb-in offers an unforgettable experience for everyone at their own level, with a variety of colourful challenges. You can take it easy and slowly ascend the climbing wall slowly or race your friends to the top of a wall with the built-in timer. Figure out the Astroball or climb the Leap-of-Faith and launch off the pad at the top.
A highlight has to be vertical drop slide but it is understandably very popular so if you want to head here then make sure you book in advance.
For parents who don’t want to join in, there is a tasteful Skybar located five metres above both Jump-In or Climb-In.
3. Kids-In
Kids-In is a zone designed for the youngins’ in a spectacular underwater theme. Kids marvel when they run through a shark’s mouth, get lost among schools of fish or manage to conquer the underwater volcano.
If you have a raucous five-year-old and a quiet two-year-old then this is no problem as your older child can let rip around the whole zone and your toddler can play in the designated toddler corner.
Parents can relax in the beach-themed bar which provides quality coffee and a variety of food.
The beach bar at Kids-In where parents and children can snack and relax. Photo/Supplied
Epic Children’s parties are totally possible here
There is also the opportunity to hire out one of the four private rooms located in the Kids-In for a children’s party. Depending on your child’s interests, a choice can be made between the underwater themed room, ice princess, pirate or disco room. Sometimes themed rooms can be a little underwhelming but the private rooms at Play-In are so modern, clean and abundant that no kid would be disappointed.
The ice princess room. Photo/Supplied
These organised birthday parties are popular as you are granted your own private space whilst being in and amongst the buzz of a larger facility. What’s more, is that Play-In go above and beyond to try and make the occasion special by allowing parents to choose customised additions for the party. For example, your child can hire a tattoo artist to come and stick fake tattoos on all the children or a real-life princess can surprise the group of children in the Ice Princess room. Personalised cakes can also be arranged, and the VIP rooms come with fun presents like pirate hats or princess crowns. It was very impressive to see how dedicated Play-In were to going above and beyond to make a birthday special and memorable. Price is based on the number of children attending.
If you don’t want to hire a private room you can still have a party at Play-In: handy if you really don’t want a herd of children in your living room, for example. There are almost infinite combinations you can choose from- add cakes or snacks for adults to parties at Jump-In, Play-In or Climb-In. You pay per child, and for each of the areas there is a “Combo” option which adds a slushie, pancake or fries, and a snack for a reduced price. The perfect way to take the pressure off yourself while ensuring that your child has an amazing birthday party with their friends.
Children enjoying their snack at the beach bar in Kids-In. Photo/Supplied
Is there anymore awesomeness we should know about?
The fun doesn’t end there. Play-In always have a bunch of great one-off and repeat activities happening through out the year and holiday period.
Here’s a quick low-down on some of the highlights:
Want to get the most bang for your buck? Then head to Jump-In on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays when you can stay until 7p.m with a one hour ticket (holidays excluded).
Two Fridays and Saturdays a month there is a live DJ on the jump floor.
Trampoline Forbes is a fitness class held twice a week on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings. This class is especially popular with mums as it is high intensity but low impact.
Jumping and free running lessons are also an option for people who want to learn how to flip and twist and leap from one trampoline to the next. These classes are most popular with boys aged between 8 and 15.
Extra activities such as theatre shows are held through out the school holidays.
Play-In is easily accessible all year round and from neighbouring cities
Play-In is the perfect all-year round activity. You can fight those winter blues by warming up at Jump-In or escape the summer heat as the whole facility is air-conditioned during the warmer months.
Play-In is also conveniently based in Utrecht, a city that is a mere stone’s throw from Amsterdam. It is located at The Wall on Hertogswetering 173, 3543 AS Utrecht. People that know Utrecht (or Dutch traffic for that matter) will be happy to know that it’s located on the outskirts of Utrecht and is super-easy-reachable by car.
If you are driving, then Play-In is situated at The Wall just off the A2 highway (take exit 7 Leidsche Rijn). The best parking would be in P3 or P4 (at McDonalds). The first two hours of parking are free and after that it costs €1 per hour.
If you are coming by public transport then Play-In is also easily accessible. It is roughly a 10 minute walk from Utrecht Leidsche Rijn train station. It can also be accessed with bus lines 11, 49, 73 and 139 which stop directly at The Wall.
DutchReview thoroughly enjoyed visiting Play-In and all of us with kids are already gearing for the holidays when we can visit this place for some family-bonding and fun! Thanks for having us Play-In!
Is 2020 the year to take your career to the next level? If you’ve ever considered doing an MBA now is the time to get serious: leading international business schools are converging on Amsterdam and you have the chance to meet them one-on-one. No typo: one-on-one!
The event, run by Access MBA, is proving this ideal opportunity to learn how you can max out your potential with the world’s most recognised business degrees: an MBA or an Executive MBA.
Even better, you won’t be fighting with other applicants for attention. A careful screening process beforehand ensures your profile will be carefully and personally matched with the business schools that correspond to your goals and expectations.
One more thing: it’s free! No admission fees, no registration fees, no meeting fees. No risk, just the opportunity to succeed. All you have to do is register.
WHEN: Saturday, February 1, 2020
WHERE: Amsterdam Marriott Hotel
Why should I get an MBA?
By securing an MBA degree, business professionals can compete and secure top management positions. With that comes salary increases and the opportunity to take your work to a global level. International MBA programmes also give your network a boost, broaden career prospects, and help you turn your entrepreneurial ideas into business ventures!
How can I register?
Understandably this event has a maximum capacity, so click your heels and jump onto the website to register. Again, it’s completely free with no sneaky charges (we hate those).
two or three years minimum of relevant work experience after graduation,
You’re ready to apply for your MBA or EMBA!
Note: If you don’t have three years work experience, don’t panic: while most schools require it, there are still options available and the folks at AccessMBA can give you a hand to find a school with more flexibility.
What happens once I’m registered?
You’ve entered your details and they’ve gone whizzing away through whatever cables connect the internet and make magic happen. What now?
Step One: First, MBA experts will review every single candidates profile and will phone the most qualified candidates to really understand their goals, understanding of the MBA, motivation, and calculate their options. This conversation will be entirely in English.
Step Two: From here the experts will evaluate the MBA candidate’s preferences and requirements, and match them with appropriate business schools.
Step Three: If you’re successful in being selected for one-on-one meetings you’ll receive a schedule of your appointments with the selected business schools. You’ll have the chance to discuss this list with your consultant and make any necessary changes.
What will the day look like?
When you arrive at Amsterdam Marriott Hotel dressed in your Sunday best, you’ll have the chance to:
meet admissions directors during 20-minute one-on-one and small group meetings,
take part in panel discussions featuring school representatives and alumni,
and receive advice and support from the Access MBA consulting team, as well as GMAT and scholarship information.
You also get the chance to win free courses and free lessons and get some sweet discount vouchers for GMAT classes.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Finding out your options is the first step. Jump over to AccessMBA to register for their Amsterdam event and meet with top international and European schools.
Feature Image: AccessMBA/Supplied
We’ve worked together with Access MBA to bring you this article
Guys, we know it’s Friday and you want to get to your weekend. We want to relax too, we swear. But, when news like pigs being boiled while still alive in Dutch slaughterhouses comes out, we can’t just stand-by. This is appalling and needs to be heard.
But first, no, this isn’t a vegan agenda. I’m happy living a life where I don’t have to think about what happens in slaughterhouses. I’ve avoided every documentary on Netflix that vegans have recommended because I just don’t like watching baby chicks be crushed in my spare time. I even eat bacon, although I’m reconsidering that now. Some things take it way too far.
Imagine pigs screaming, no squealing, screaming while violently drowning in a piping hot water bath. This was spotted at least six times by inspectors of Dutch slaughterhouses in the last eighteen months, reports RTL Nieuws. Awful, right? 15 million pigs reach their death each year in the Netherlands. That’s only 2 million shy of the entire Dutch population.
Varkens in Nood eist verplicht, permanent en transparant cameratoezicht op de gehele slachtlijn. Extern en onafhankelijk toezicht is nu nodig om de dieren werkelijke bescherming te bieden tegen de gruwel levend geslacht te worden! https://t.co/rPBthDXNEPpic.twitter.com/aJDxgCbzKd
You can have a lot of debates about whether we should be eating animals in the first place. But, there’s no excuse for not even giving animals the right to a peaceful death. Documents released from animal rights organisation Varkens in Nood show that in some cases, pigs were not killed properly, and in some cases were conscious, before being cooked. That’s right, cooked alive.
“I saw several pigs thumping with their hind legs. I also saw that a pig threw its head back a little and started to fiddle violently. The animal was still alive,” wrote one inspector.
Checks and regulations
Pig slaughterhouses in the Netherlands are subject to a large amount of checks and regulations. In 21 of the largest slaughterhouses, a permanent inspector is installed. In smaller slaughterhouses, random checks occur. Yet, in both cases, it’s impossible for inspectors to be able to check every single slaughter to ensure it’s adequate.
It’s not just the killing that goes wrong either. There are records of some pigs being kicked and beaten. Some live in their own faeces and urine, resulting in such serious inflammations that they can’t even stand on their own legs. In one case, an inspector found a pig dumped in a cadaver bin – but the pig was still alive.
“I saw a pig sink into the hatchery basin and submerge it in the hot water of about 60 degrees. The animal kept rattling in such a way that the water gushed over the hatchery basin,” reads the report of another inspector.
According to Varkens in Nood, there are only two possible solutions. “Independent camera surveillance on every slaughter line,” says Frederiek Schouten of Varkens in Nood. “And a slaughterhouse that still goes wrong more than once must be closed immediately.”
What do you think of these violations? Part of the circle of life, or completely unacceptable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Bookstores in The Hague you don’t want to miss out on
I have this sacred tradition where I buy one new book from each city that I visit. During my first trip to The Hague, I bought five new books. I just couldn’t help myself, the bookstores I came across were absolutely stunning. We know about which books to read in Dutch but if you are looking for a bookstore in The Hague where you can find English books, read on.
1-Bookstores in The Hague: The American Book Center
A 46 years old family-owned bookstore, the American Book Center or just ABC how the owners call it to easily link the website www.abc.nl with the actual stores, is a warm, friendly and entertaining space. The bookstore has a shop in Amsterdam too, which has been listed as one of the Ten Most beautiful Bookshops in the World, yet the one in The Hague is a bit more intimate and quirky. Additionally, in The Hague location people can also enjoy looking for second-hand books and bargain books. The store also sells magazines, greeting cards, diaries, notebooks and merchandise.
From ABC, I bought Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels, a remarkable series of four books describing the story of a sixty-year friendship between Elena and her rebellious childhood friend, Lila. Now, each time I see the books, I remember the lovely afternoon in The Hague when I entered the American Book Center for my “new city, new book” tradition. All in all, one of the best bookstores in The Hague.
2-Bookstore Hoogstraten: English books since 1881
This one was by far my favourite. Not too large, yet classy, very well organized and knowledgeable, the English-only bookstore will definitely catch the eye of any bookworm passing down that street. During a little chat with the bookstore clerk I’ve discovered this is one of the oldest, independent bookshops in The Hague and since 1994 they are granted with a Royal Warrant by H.M. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
The store is in a beautiful location, close to the Noordeinde Palace, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander’s office. Inside you’ll find a huge pile of English books from biographies, fiction, children’s books, gardening and cooking to art, antiques and an amazing jewelry and royal history collection. The store is open from Tuesday to Friday and is an excellent place to buy books or simply enjoy yourself for a while flipping through the charming books. I found an interesting book about the writers and artists under the English skies, written by Alexandra Harris and I just had to buy it.
3-Bookstores in The Hague: Paagman
Now, Paagman is more than a bookshop, it’s an adventurous journey. From the moment you step in, you are surrounded by the great and very welcoming scent of new printed books and fresh coffee (yes, they have exceptional coffee too!). The staff is really nice and always willing to help and everyone in the library seems happy to be among books.
The children’s section is absolutely enchanting, apart from checking the books, kids can watch movies and play games. Children and parents alike can also admire the little mouse house which has a doorbell too.
For those of you who already have enough books (I don’t know anyone who would ever say such a thing, but who knows?) you can still spend a couple of hours having a pleasant time at any of these bookshops. You can just wander the aisles, browsing through the endless shelves of stories and characters, flipping through that cookbook you never could decide whether to buy or not. The places are a brilliant experience for any book lover.
Any other bookstores in The Hague we need to know about? Feel very welcome to share them with us in the comments
