Across the Netherlands, universities are taking significant strides toward becoming more sustainable. Every major institution now has a dedicated sustainability or Green Team, which plays a key role in organizing events, workshops, and lectures that promote eco-friendly practices on campus. These initiatives aren't just about improving the university’s carbon footprint; they’re about fostering a culture of sustainability among students and staff alike.
So, what exactly are Dutch universities doing to become greener? And how are students actively participating in this green movement?
Each university across the Netherlands is embracing sustainability in its own unique way, but they all share a common goal: making campuses more environmentally conscious. Many institutions have introduced Sustainability Days, a key event in the academic calendar that engages students with sustainable activities, from workshops to community outreach programs. These days often feature discounts at local sustainable businesses, hands-on experiences like clothing swaps or repair cafes and lectures on crucial environmental topics.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout sustainability initiatives happening at universities across the country.
Breda is home to a community vegetable garden that not only provides fresh produce for the campus restaurant but also serves as a social space where students can connect with nature and each other. Additionally, the university holds nature walks that introduce students to local plants and trees. Events such as the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Action Days include clothing swaps and lectures through the Studium Generale, giving students the opportunity to engage with important sustainability topics.
At Maastricht, sustainability is all about hands-on, interactive activities. The Plant Your Garden event is a hit among students, offering opportunities to plant seeds, exchange saplings, and create garden decorations. The event even brings in furry friends for students to enjoy during a sustainability-themed picnic. For those looking to refresh their wardrobes without the waste, Maastricht’s Hub Circularity Project offers a clothing swap room where students can trade in their old clothes for new (to them) items. Additionally, the Fix Your Bike workshop helps students learn how to repair their bikes, promoting a waste-reducing and long-lasting cycling culture.
Amsterdam is tackling sustainability on multiple fronts. Students can take part in beach clean-ups at Zandvoort, removing plastic waste from the shorelines, while the university’s cafeterias increasingly offer plant-based food options. Sustainable fashion events also feature prominently, with an emphasis on reducing waste in the fashion industry, a major polluter.
Leiden University is focusing on reusing and replanting. Their clothing swap events and planting saplings on The Hague campus help build a stronger sense of sustainability among students, encouraging a circular economy and greener urban spaces.
At Utrecht, the green movement is incredibly diverse. Students can join the Sustainable Treasure Hunt, discovering eco-friendly spots in town, or take part in the Repair Cafe, where they can fix broken items for free. Utrecht also offers the Freedge, a community fridge where students can leave food they no longer need, reducing food waste while helping others. The Swap Library works similarly, allowing students to exchange books instead of buying new ones.
EUR focuses on building skills and knowledge to tackle sustainability challenges. Events like repair cafes and clothing swaps are complemented by workshops on cooking with organic ingredients, decarbonization**, and even climate anxiety. These workshops not only reduce waste but also foster a deep understanding of the environmental challenges we face today.
Students across the Netherlands are far from passive in this green transformation. Through participation in these workshops, projects, and community initiatives, they’re actively shaping the future of sustainability. From exchanging clothes at swap events to learning practical skills like bike repair, students are integrating eco-conscious behaviors into their everyday lives.
More importantly, these experiences are helping students think critically about how they can make a broader impact on the environment. Whether it's by reducing personal waste, supporting plant-based diets, or participating in large-scale clean-ups, students are increasingly aware that their actions—no matter how small—contribute to the larger goal of a sustainable future.
While students play a crucial role, universities serve as the catalysts for change. By creating the spaces and opportunities for sustainability to flourish, these institutions help shape future leaders who will be more conscious of environmental issues. Green Teams across campuses are not only promoting eco-friendly actions on a local scale, but they’re also cultivating a mindset that students will carry with them long after graduation.
As Dutch universities continue to push for greener practices, the engagement of students in these initiatives proves that sustainable change happens best when the community works together. By turning campuses into living laboratories for sustainability, universities are ensuring that the next generation of graduates is equipped to tackle global environmental challenges head-on.