Papillon

People living in poverty rent economical household appliances

Today, much attention is paid to consciously choosing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of living. Governments are also imposing more and more ecological guidelines and targets. This is good news, but people living below the poverty line do not always have the opportunity to make environmentally friendly choices. After all, a wood-burning stove is much cheaper than insulating a house, and a new refrigerator or washing machine, let alone an energy-efficient one, is unaffordable. People in vulnerable situations are entitled to reduced electricity rates but that does not solve the problem. Purchasing an installment will also cost them a lot in interest at the end of the day. And many of these vulnerable families are not creditworthy enough for an energy loan.

In order to find a solution for this energy poverty, Stefan Goemaere of Samenlevingsopbouw West-Vlaanderen came up with the circular project 'Papillon'. The principle is simple: families that live below the poverty line and do not have the means to buy a new household appliance can rent energy-friendly appliances at a low monthly rate of 7 euros.

For the project, Samenlevingsopbouw West-Vlaanderen worked together with Bosch Huishoudelektro, which supplies, maintains and, if necessary, replaces the appliances. During the project, Bosch also had the circular idea of offering refurbished appliances for rent. These are appliances that, for example, received a small repair under guarantee or were damaged during transport... These appliances are then refurbished in cooperation with Sofie, a social economy company from Liège.