Rotterdam companies can donate leftover materials to schools

ROTTERDAM, 5 October 2026 – Companies in the Rotterdam region can now give surplus materials and unused tools a second life in technical education through MateriaalMaatjes. The platform connects businesses with schools looking for materials for practical lessons, while also creating new opportunities for contact between students and local employers.

From leftover material to classroom resource

MateriaalMaatjes has launched in the Rotterdam region after starting in Limburg. Rotterdam is the first new region to join as the platform begins a wider national rollout. 

The idea is straightforward. Companies often have usable materials left over from projects or daily operations, including wood, sheet material, cables, pipes, installation materials, fasteners, paint, components and tools. At the same time, schools need materials that students can use to design, build, install, repair and experiment.

Businesses can list surplus materials on the platform free of charge. Schools can see what is available in their region and claim it directly, while teachers can also post requests when they need something specific for a lesson or project. Once a match is made, the school and company arrange collection between themselves.

More than recycling materials

The platform has a second objective beyond reuse. MateriaalMaatjes is deliberately organised locally so that collecting materials can also bring students, teachers and businesses into direct contact. 

A teacher or group of students picking something up from a company may get their first look inside a workplace or technical sector. According to the organisers, that first contact could later lead to a company visit, guest lesson, internship or collaboration on an education project.

That makes the initiative part circular-economy project and part introduction to the regional labour market.

MateriaalMaatjes has launched in the Rotterdam region with support from STO TechTown, becoming the platform's first new region outside Limburg.

STO TechTown brings the platform to Rotterdam

The Rotterdam rollout is being supported by STO TechTown, with STO standing for Sterk Techniekonderwijs, or Strong Technical Education.

The regional partnership brings together schools, companies and other organisations in Rotterdam, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Lansingerland and Capelle aan den IJssel. Its focus is strengthening technical education and giving young people a better understanding of technology and the career opportunities available in the region. 

The programme mainly works with vmbo, mavo, special secondary education (vso) and practical education (pro), with the aim of helping more young people progress towards technical vocational education or technical employment. MateriaalMaatjes itself is open more broadly, and other schools are also invited to participate. 

Rotterdam businesses invited to check their storerooms

With the launch now live, companies across the region are being encouraged to look at what they routinely throw away or leave unused.

It does not have to be a large quantity. A few pieces of wood, plastic, cable, sheet material or spare components left after a project may already be useful in a classroom or workshop. 

Schools are likewise encouraged to do more than browse the available materials. They can post their own requests, potentially finding exactly what they need at a company only a few kilometres away. 

How MateriaalMaatjes works

Businesses and schools can create accounts through materiaalmaatjes.nl. Companies can list reusable materials they no longer need, while schools can claim available items or publish a request for specific materials. 

The platform is being rolled out region by region across the Netherlands, with local partners supporting each new area. Rotterdam is the second Dutch region where the service is currently available, following the original launch in Limburg. 

More information and registration are available at www.materiaalmaatjes.nl.