Conscious of the environment and looking to enjoy the city sustainably? Check out this list of 5 sustainability initiatives in Rotterdam, compiled by Facebook group Duurzame Rotterdammers (Sustainable Rotterdammers).
Rotterdam is more than a harbour city, it's Erasmus bridge, the Euromast and the place where next year’s Eurovision Song Contest takes place. The bustling city is chock-full of hidden gems: eateries and restaurants, (second-hand) shops, creative initiatives, green walkways, and great co-working spaces. But how to find those hidden gems? Well, other than the Rotterdam Style website, checking out local Facebook Groups or the official Facebook Community City Guide are a good place to start.
Five sustainability initiatives in Rotterdam
Below you will find the five best tips in the field of sustainability in Rotterdam, created by the Facebook group Duurzame Rotterdammers (Sustainable Rotterdammers). P.S. this list is in random order!
#1 Groente zonder grenzen (Veggies without borders)
Collect all leftover food! “Veggies without borders” collects leftover foodstuffs to turn them weekly into socially inclusive free and healthy feasts for everyone. So, the initiative does not only help limit food waste but also contributes to society.
#2 The Rotterdamse Oogstmarkt (The Rotterdam Harvest market)
For super fresh and tasty produce to cook your own lovely, homemade meals there is only one place: The Rotterdamse Oogstmarkt (The Rotterdam Harvest market). At this weekly farmers’ market on Noordplein (North square), you can score the tastiest products for a fair price directly from the producers. The stories from the sellers are a free bonus.
#3 STEK de Stadstuinwinkel (STEK the city garden shop)
Do you have green fingers? Then STEK de Stadstuinwinkel is the place to be. A garden shop in the middle of the city with a broad range of organic seeds, plants, pots, and sustainable products. With its products, you can transform every city garden, balcony, roof terrace or home into your urban jungle. Because you can never have enough plants. Address? Nieuwe Binnenweg 195B.
#4 Buurman Rotterdam (Neighbour Rotterdam)
Whether you have two left hands or not, go to Buurman for recycled building materials, circular construction advise, a furniture-making class, sustainable workshops, and team building activities. Want to start building something with your materials directly? You can! During the Open Workshop days (Open Werkplaatsdagen). Find this hotspot at Vierhavensstraat 56, close to Keilehaven.
#5 Rotterdamse Munt (Rotterdam mint)
For everyone without a garden, balcony or roof terrace, or people who simply enjoy the greenery, there are the Rotterdam stadstuinen (Rotterdam city gardens). At Rosestraat 200 you are given all freedom to discover, taste and experience the gardens. And that in the middle of the city!
With a little help from local Facebook communities
More than eight million (!) Dutch people are members of a Facebook group. These are online communities where, for example, hobbies are shared, or help is offered. For the Community City Guide, 13 administrators of Rotterdam-based online communities have been asked to share their local recommendation for hidden gems – from typical Rotterdam topics such as architecture and the world-famous harbour to special green walking routes and the most sustainable shops. Hotspots that you might never have found yourself.
