Passamano: the Bolzano shop where you don't pay

Passamano volunteers receive the items, which are delivered every day, Monday through Friday, in two shifts: from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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How does handrail work?

After the pandemic hiatus, a shop has reopened where nothing is wasted and nothing is bought with money. Instead, it's exchanged or donated. And after reopening , Passamano , as the shop is called, is already looking for new spaces to expand its business.

HANDRAIL SHOP BOLZANO

Grassroots solidarity , the kind based on small gestures , never ceases to amaze in Italy. And there are initiatives that can become formats that can be used throughout the country, like the story of this particular shop , a symbol of the "Do Not Waste " philosophy , in Trentino Alto Adige.

Here, you don't need money to make new purchases: everyone, after choosing the item they need, can take it home without spending a thing . " Passamano " is a shop that focuses on the recovery and reuse of objects.

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HOW HANDPAS WORKS

Specifically, " Passamano " is run by a group of volunteers who receive no compensation for their work: only a small voluntary donation is requested to cover the shop's maintenance costs. Alternatively, you can leave a few items in exchange for your purchase.

ALSO READ: It doesn't take much, the small gestures that make us live better. The story in this book

WHAT TO GIVE TO PASSAMANO OR BRING WITH YOU FROM THE STORE

The philosophy behind “ Passamano ” is that everything can have a second life , and that an object no longer useful to someone might prove valuable to someone else . Anyone who wants to donate can bring items they have at home that they no longer need: the important thing is that they are in excellent condition , clean, and in perfect working order. Each person can also collect up to five items free of charge once a week.

You can also drop off and bring with you clothes, shoes, bags, suitcases, toys, comics, small and medium-sized household appliances and electronic devices, lamps, paintings, bicycles, children's items, household utensils, and much more.

The “ Passalibri” section is a success , where it is possible to take up to 5 volumes for free , including school books and dictionaries, which are in great demand among students who cannot afford to buy them new.

LEARN MORE: Free books with recycling, a green initiative from Cilento

PASSAMANO INITIATIVES

But " Passamano " isn't just an eco-sustainable and recycling shop ; it's also a place where themed evenings and meetings on conscious consumption, responsible tourism, vegetarian and vegan cuisine, and much more are held. The aim is to encourage the exchange of ideas , knowledge, and relationships. And the goal for the future is to create job opportunities as well.

An important project, " Passamano, " quickly spread to many other Italian cities. Four years ago, it opened in Caserta , and in 2016, the "Tuttogratis" space in Milan.

All images are taken from the Passamano Facebook page .

WHEN OBJECTS BEGIN A SECOND LIFE:

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