Last month we wrote an article looking into roads in The Netherlands made entirely of plastic pollution. The Netherlands are famously pioneers in sustainable development so, as we’re devoted to the environment here at Midmer, we delved deeper to find other examples of how the Dutch prove they are leading sustainable innovation.
1) Bee Bus Stops
Not only has the Dutch city of Utrecht committed to solely operating CO2-neutral buses by 2028 they also currently have over 300 bus stops with green roofs (also known as bee stops)! Green roofs have many environmental benefits including improving air quality by collecting fine dust, flooding prevention through storing rainwater, and help cool the city in the summertime.
In addition, green roofs support the city’s biodiversity and support flying insects such as bumblebees & honeybees, not to mention the aesthetic benefits they also provide.
2) Zero Plastic Supermarkets
In 2018 the Dutch supermarket chain EkoPlaza launched the “world’s first plastic-free aisle” at a branch in Amsterdam with plans to expand the project across all 74 sites.
Although the packaging looks plastic, it is an innovative, environmentally-friendly alternative made of compostable biomaterials. And guess what… it isn’t more costly!
The supermarket sector in the UK currently contributes to around 40% of all plastic packaging. Do you think UK supermarkets should follow EkoPlaza’s lead?
3) Flood Resilience Through Floating Homes
The Netherlands has a high threat of flooding therefore to combat potential risks such as damage to infrastructure and loss of life they introduced the concept of the floating community. Demand is now growing in the land-scarce, highly populated country to help their citizens withstand climate change.
“The municipality wants to expand the concept of floating because it is multifunctional use of space for housing, and because the sustainable way is the way forward,” said city councillor Nienke van Renssen, from the Amsterdam GreenLeft party.
4) Famous Cycling Culture & Infrastructure
Amsterdam is rated as the world’s 2nd most bike-friendly city, just behind Copenhagen, with over 60% of city centre trips happening on bicycles. The infrastructure of the city centre echoes this, supporting cyclists to simultaneously travel alongside other traffic and trams easily, and safely. This is implemented through the Puccini Method which is based on 5 convictions:
The user benefits from simplicity and obviousness.
Craftsmanship on every scale.
Sustainability.
Best practices and innovation.
To collaborate.
At Midmer, we adopt very similar values; we believe collaboration, sustainability and creating value are essential for any successful project or programme.
5) Rooftop Farms
Schieblock in Rotterdam is home to “the largest open-air roof farm in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe”. With a 1,000m2 space, the DakAkker Smartroof is a hive of community-led activity including the growth of fruit, vegetables, and edible flowers, as well as water storage, and bee keeping ensuring pollination of plants & homegrown honey!
Green roofs such as DakAkker are an excellent use of “dead space” and provide a plethora of benefits including social, cultural, and environmental; DakAkker also host educational tours and activities, helping the next generation gain a love for sustainable living.
6) Air-Cleaning Bicycles
Dutch innovator Daan Roosegaarde created the “SMOG FREE PROJECT”; a series of innovative products that “reduce pollution and provide an inspirational experience of a clean future”. One product in the series is the award-winning smog free bicycle; the bicycle inhales polluted air, cleans it then releases the clean air around the cyclist helping create a smog-free environment.
You can check out the rest of the SMOG FREE PROJECT through the hyperlink above.
7) Circular Furniture
Plastic Whale is making waves in the furniture industry by creating stylish, functional office furniture made of Dutch plastic pollution. The Plastic Whale team originally made fishing boats of plastic fished from the famous canal in Amsterdam however their idea eventually grew into creating crib-to-crib office furniture with designs based on the unique characteristics of whales. “It’s trash turned into treasure”!
8) Helping Others
Not only do the Dutch provide environmentally-friendly innovative designs and solutions for themselves, but they also support others to follow their lead. One example of this is the 400,000-euro funding granted to 43 sustainable development projects in Ivory Coast. This grant from the Dutch government will create “100 jobs in three years through these start-ups, which will gradually become small and medium-sized enterprises” helping young Ivorians gain a living as well as valuable knowledge and experiences.
We are inspired by these examples of how innovative design can be used for sustainable development and help the environment, people, and the economy.
Here at Midmer, we drive programmes and projects just like the examples above; need help with your own project/programme? Get in touch to find out how we can support your development.
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